London Olympics: Jiao wins 200 butterfly, Hersey places fourth

LONDON -- World champion Jiao Liuyang of China consolidated her hold on the 200-meter butterfly Wednesday by winning the event at the Olympics, taking the gold in 2 minutes 4.06 seconds.

American Kathleen Hersey had been considered a serious threat to win based on her impressive showing in the semifinals, in which she had the fastest qualifying time, but she finished fourth in 2:05.78.

The event was highlighted by a slice of history. Spain’s Mireia Belmonte won the silver, her country’s first medal at these Games and said to be the first swimming medal ever won by a Spanish-born woman.

The Lakers’ Pau Gasol, who is here representing his native Spain in basketball, immediately tweeted his approval:

“First medal for our country!! Mireia Belmonte wins the silver medal in the 200m butterfly! #GrandeMireia #London2012”

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