Shanteau returning to the Olympics

As of Monday, July 23, 2012
© Copyright 2013 Gwinnett Daily Post

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Eric Shanteau is heading back to the Olympics and this time he doesn’t have to worry about battling cancer.

The Parkview grad finished second to Brendan Hansen in the 100-meter breaststroke at the U.S. swimming trials Tuesday.

Shanteau pumped his fist when he saw his position, slapped hands with the winner and then ran across the deck to kiss his wife.

“It’s the best feeling in the world,” Shanteau said in a TV interview immediately after the race. “I can’t even describe it right now.”

Shanteau was fourth at the turn, but he turned on the speed heading for the wall and got second in 1 minute, 0.15 seconds.

"I've been back and forth with that event for so long," said Shanteau, whose stronger race is the 200 breast. "It's nice having it all come together when it counts the most. I'm a 200 guy, so sometimes I don't know what I'm doing in the 100."

Hansen capped his comeback by earning another trip to the Olympics, winning the event.

The 30-year-old Hansen rallied over the final lap for a time of 59.68 seconds, giving him a chance to make up for the disappointment of the past two Olympics. He was one of the world’s top breaststrokers leading up to both Athens and Beijing, but has yet to win an individual gold. He’ll get a third chance in London.

Four years ago, Shanteau beat out Hansen for an individual spot on the team shortly after being diagnosed with testicular cancer. He put off treatment until after the games and has been healthy ever since.

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