Tamara Costache
Encyclopedia
Tamara Costache (born 23 July 1970) is a former freestyle
swimmer from Romania.
Costache may be considered the earliest pioneer of specialised 50 metre freestyle sprinting for women. She first held the world record
for the 50 metre freestyle when competing at the Romanian National Championships in Bucharest on 16 July 1986. Her time was 25.50 seconds, set in a preliminary heat.
Costache competed at the 1986 World Aquatics Championships
, winning the gold medal in the 50 metre freestyle on 23 August in a world record time of 25.28 seconds.
Her achievements at the 1988 Summer Olympics
two years later were less successful. Although qualifying for the final of the 50 metre freestyle
, she could manage no better than sixth place in a time of 25.80 seconds, 0.52 seconds slower than her personal best.
She competed in the 100 metre freestyle
in Seoul also, but did no better than 8th place in the B Final with a time of 57.11 seconds. Her preliminary time was slightly better at 56.79 seconds.
Freestyle swimming
Freestyle is an unregulated swimming style used in swimming competitions according to the rules of FINA. The front crawl stroke is almost universally used during a freestyle race, as this style is generally the fastest...
swimmer from Romania.
Costache may be considered the earliest pioneer of specialised 50 metre freestyle sprinting for women. She first held the world record
World record progression 50 metres freestyle
The first world record in the men's 50 metres freestyle in long course swimming was recognised by the International Swimming Federation in 1976...
for the 50 metre freestyle when competing at the Romanian National Championships in Bucharest on 16 July 1986. Her time was 25.50 seconds, set in a preliminary heat.
Costache competed at the 1986 World Aquatics Championships
1986 World Aquatics Championships
The 1986 World Aquatics Championships took place in Madrid, Spain between August 13 and August 23, 1986 with 1119 participating athletes. In swimming, the women's 4×200 m freestyle relay was held for the first time.- Medals table :-Diving:MenWomen...
, winning the gold medal in the 50 metre freestyle on 23 August in a world record time of 25.28 seconds.
Her achievements at the 1988 Summer Olympics
Swimming at the 1988 Summer Olympics
The 1988 Summer Olympics took place in Seoul, South Korea. The swimming competition, held from September 18 to September 25, was notable for the seven medals, including five golds, won by Matt Biondi, the six golds won by Kristin Otto, and the three individual golds won by Janet Evans...
two years later were less successful. Although qualifying for the final of the 50 metre freestyle
Swimming at the 1988 Summer Olympics - Women's 50 metre freestyle
The women's 50 freestyle at the 1988 Summer Olympics was contested on 25 September. This was the first time that women swam the 50 freestyle as an event at the Olympic Games.-Records:The existing World and Olympic records at the time of the event were:...
, she could manage no better than sixth place in a time of 25.80 seconds, 0.52 seconds slower than her personal best.
She competed in the 100 metre freestyle
Swimming at the 1988 Summer Olympics - Women's 100 metre freestyle
The women's 100 freestyle at the 1988 Summer Olympics was contested on September 18 and September 19 .-Records:The existing World and Olympic records at the time of the event were:-A Final:-B Final:-Preliminary heats:...
in Seoul also, but did no better than 8th place in the B Final with a time of 57.11 seconds. Her preliminary time was slightly better at 56.79 seconds.