HONG KONG, Apr 3: Alexander Popov, easing his way back into compeUtion after surgery, failed to

win a medal but still proved crowd favorite at the World Short-Course Swimming Championships. reports Reuters.

Double Olympic champion Popov Was, for once, not the focus of media attention as reporters thronged past him and headed for Mark Foster after the Briton had regained the 50 • freestyle Utle and the Russian had been relegated to joint fifth in Friday's final.

Foster, winner of the event at the inaugural World Short-Course Championships in 1993. reclaimed the 50 freestyle world record from Popov last December lowering the mark to 21.31 seconds.

Foster was fully half a second slower in winning Friday's final but Popov, who underwent surgery in his left knee in January, was still not in contenUon and finished way back in 22.10.

On Thursday, the first day of these four-day championships, the Russian finished seventh in the 50 metres backstroke and on Saturday he failed even to make the semifinals of the 100 metres backstroke.

Those results were no great surprise. Popov is not a back-stroke specialist and he is feeling his way back after his operation arid used these championships as part of his build-up ‘ to the 2000 Sydney Olympics.

Popov, winner of the 50 and 100 freestyle at the 1992 and 1996 Olympics, did not even enter his 100 freestyle speciality in which he has not been beaten at a major championships since winning his first

European title in 1991.

"I wasn’t expecting to get any medals. 1 just came here to meet the guys, show myself that I'm still swimming." Popov, who has been living and training in Australia since 1993. told Reuters.

"I have come here Just to break my training programme and have a little bit of competition. This is such a high level of competition and for me. being here is the best training."

Many Hong Kong people who turned up just to see the great man swim must have been a little disappointed by his performances but he remained the darling of local fans.

Admirers, including one grandfather, queued on Saturday for his autograph, many bearing small gifts.

Looking ahead. Popov said his main goal was the Sydney Olympics.

Popov, holder of world 100 metres freestyle records in both

the 25-metre and 450 metre pools, suffered his first reverse in major championships when he was beaten into second place by American Bill Pilczuk at the 1998 World Long-Course Championships in Perth. Australia.

This is his first championship appearance in the 15 months since Perth and the return of his knee problem.

He refused to make Olympic medal predictions. "I'm not talking about that, my first ambition is just to make the team and go to Sydney." he said.

Popov said he still needed time for his knee to heal and to get back to top form. "Doctors have said it's up to me. As long as it is recovering. I'm going to be training," he said.