Federal Way’s Ariana Kukors, world record holder in the women’s 200-meter individual medley, lost her chance at an Olympic medal Tuesday in London when she placed fifth in a time of 2:09.83. Shiwen Ye of China won the gold medal, establishing an Olympic record of 2:07.57.
Kukors, a 2007 graduate of Auburn Mountainview High School who finished second in the U.S. Trials in Omaha, NB., last month, set the world mark in 2009 at the World Championships in Rome, clocking 2:06.15. She has not approached that time since.
Alicia Coutts of Australia captured the silver medal in the eight-woman field in 2:08.15 and Catlin Leverenx of the U.S. finished third in 2:08.95. Kukors finished just behind fourth-place Stephanie Rice of Australia, whose record Kukors broke in 2009.
Kukors said after the Trials that the London Games would probably be her final competition. If so, she exits with seven international medals, including two gold, three silver and two bronze, all won in World or Pan Pacific Championship competition.
Also Tuesday, Bremerton’s Nathan Adrian qualified for the finals in the 100-meter freestyle by clocking 47.97 in his semifinal heat. Only James Magnussen (47.63) of Australia swam his semifinal heat in a faster time.