Swimmer Hansen upset, Torres closes in on fifth Olympics

By Steve Keating

OMAHA, Nebraska (Reuters) - Former world record holder Brendan Hansen suffered a major blow at the U.S. Olympic swimming trials on Thursday when he failed to qualify in the 200 metres breaststroke.

Hansen gave everything but faded in the final metres and was beaten into fourth place, with the two Beijing berths going to Olympic newcomers Scott Spann and Erik Shanteu.

Michael Phelps reached the final of the 200 metres individual medley in his penultimate event of the trials, while 41-year-old mother Dara Torres, the 1984 Olympic champion, took another step towards securing a spot at her fifth Games when she qualified for the 100 freestyle final.

Garrett Weber-Gale blitzed to his first Olympics after winning the 100 freestyle and was joined by Elaine Breeden, who won the women's 200 butterfly.

The evening session opened with a shock when Hansen's training partner Spann stormed home first in a time of 2:10.38, followed by Shanteau in 2:10.36, with both men clinching their first Olympic berths.

After winning the 100 metres breaststroke on Monday, Hansen had looked forward to reclaiming his world record in the 200 from Kosuke Kitajima to set up an Olympic showdown with his Japanese rival, who stole his record less than a month ago.

Hansen looked in command when he was leading going into the final turn but faded badly in the closing metres, touching home fourth with 2:11.37.