U.S. swimmer Peirsol doesn’t melt under spotlight

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BEIJING -- USA Swimming head coach Mark Schubert started getting some disturbing information not long before the men’s 100-meter backstroke Tuesday morning.

Essentially, swimmers are supposed to be in the call room — or the ready room — at a particular time. And with about 60 seconds to go, the ultra-laid-back Aaron Peirsol was not there.

No, he had not lost his credential or slept through his alarm clock. Peirsol, apparently, was still in the other pool used for warm-ups and cool-downs at the Water Cube.

It’s all about Peirsol time. He showed up and then set a world record in the event, defending his Olympic title.

“He’s just a cool customer,” Schubert said to reporters in the mixed zone afterward.

Maybe they should rename this place the Ice Cube.

-- Lisa Dillman