Hansen completes comeback

Associated Press

OMAHA, Neb.

Brendan Hansen was done with swimming after two doses of Olympic heartache.

He’s feeling better now.

Hansen, who retired from the sport after the Beijing Games but couldn’t stay away, made his comeback worthwhile by winning the 100-meter breaststroke at the U.S. Olympic trials Tuesday night.

“2008 was not lot of fun. I’m having a lot of fun right now,” Hansen said. “I’m back.”

Eric Shanteau is heading back to the Olympics, too, and this time he doesn’t have to worry about battling cancer. He rallied to finish second to Hansen, pumping his fist when he saw his position, slapping hands with the winner, then running across the deck to kiss his wife.

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.

Dana Vollmer, a gold medalist as a teenager in 2004, missed out on the team four years ago while battling injuries and health problems. It’s all good now. She got off to a blistering start and soared through the water to easily win the 100 butterfly.

“I’m so relieved,” Vollmer said. “It was such an exciting race. I’m really overwhelmed right now.”

One night after Ryan Lochte beat Michael Phelps in the 400 individual medley, Lochte edged him out again in the semifinals of the 200 freestyle.

That’s just a tuneup for tonight’s final, which figures to be another classic.