USC’s Haley Anderson starts world championships with gold medal

Haley Anderson erased some bad memories at the swimming world championships Saturday.

Two months ago, the USC alumna skipped graduation to compete at the U.S. championships, but finished a disappointing eighth in her favorite event, the 10-kilometer open water swim.

That meant she had to come back and win the 5K to qualify for the American team going to the worlds in Spain.

On Saturday, it all paid off as Anderson earned a gold medal, out-sprinting Poliana Okimoto of Brazil in Barcelona’s harbor.

The 5K was the first event of a competition that will run through Aug. 4.

“I felt very comfortable during the first lap and I decided to set a high pace,” Anderson said. “I knew that if I managed to keep behind her until the last 300 meters, I would be able to overtake her.”

It was the first world championship for the co-captain of the USC swim team last season, and it added an impressive resume that already included a silver medal in the 10K at the 2012 London Olympics.

Olympic champion Oussama Mellouli finished first in the men’s event later in the day. The long-dominant Thomas Lurz was third.

ALSO:

Map: Tour de France course

Tiger Woods tied for lead at British Open

Chris Froome retains overall lead at Tour de France