Thomas Lurz of Germany (L) talks with Mateusz Sawrymowicz (2nd L) before the start of the men's 10 km open water event during the European Swimming Championships in Berlin August 14, 2014. REUTERS/Thomas Peter (GERMANY - Tags: SPORT SWIMMING) 

Thomas Lurz of Germany shows his silver medal after finishing second in the men's 10 km open water event during the European Swimming Championships in Berlin August 14, 2014. REUTERS/Thomas Peter (GERMANY - Tags: SPORT SWIMMING) 

Thomas Lurz of Germany competes in the men's 10 km open water event during the European Swimming Championships in Berlin August 14, 2014. Lurz finished second in the race. REUTERS/Thomas Peter (GERMANY - Tags: SPORT SWIMMING) 

Germany's Thomas Lurz (R) and Rob Muffels (L) and Britain's Daniel Fogg pose with their medals after the men's 5 km open water event during the European Swimming Championships in Berlin August 13, 2014. Fogg won the race ahead of Muffels and Lurz, who came second and third respectively. REUTERS/Thomas Peter (GERMANY - Tags: SPORT SWIMMING) 

Thomas Lurz of Germany walks to the start to compete in the men's 5 km open water event during the European Swimming Championships in Berlin August 13, 2014. REUTERS/Thomas Peter (GERMANY - Tags: SPORT SWIMMING) 

Thomas Lurz of Germany competes in the men's 5 km open water event during the European Swimming Championships in Berlin August 13, 2014. REUTERS/Thomas Peter (GERMANY - Tags: SPORT SWIMMING TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY) 

Thomas Lurz of Germany competes in the men's 5 km open water event during the European Swimming Championships in Berlin August 13, 2014. REUTERS/Thomas Peter (GERMANY - Tags: SPORT SWIMMING) 

Thomas Lurz of Germany reacts after he came third in the men's 5 km open water event during the European Swimming Championships in Berlin August 13, 2014. REUTERS/Thomas Peter (GERMANY - Tags: SPORT SWIMMING) 

Thomas Lurz of Germany swims after he came third in the men's 5 km open water event during the European Swimming Championships in Berlin August 13, 2014. REUTERS/Thomas Peter (GERMANY - Tags: SPORT SWIMMING) 

Thomas Lurz of Germany reacts after he came third in the men's 5 km open water event during the European Swimming Championships in Berlin August 13, 2014. REUTERS/Thomas Peter (GERMANY - Tags: SPORT SWIMMING) 

Winner Thomas Peter Lurz of Germany bites his gold medal after he won the men's 25km open water race during the World Swimming Championships at De La Fusta venue in Barcelona July 27, 2013. REUTERS/Albert Gea (SPAIN - Tags: SPORT SWIMMING)

Winner Thomas Peter Lurz of Germany bites his gold medal after he won the men's 25km open water race during the World Swimming Championships at De La Fusta venue in Barcelona July 27, 2013. REUTERS/Albert Gea (SPAIN - Tags: SPORT SWIMMING)

Second placed Brian Ryckeman of Belgium, winner Thomas Peter Lurz of Germany and third placed Evegenii Drattcev of Russia (L-R) show their medals after the men's 25km open water race during the World Swimming Championships at De La Fusta venue in Barcelona July 27, 2013. REUTERS/Albert Gea (SPAIN - Tags: SPORT SWIMMING) 

Winner Thomas Peter Lurz of Germany shows his gold medal after he won the men's 25km open water race during the World Swimming Championships at De La Fusta venue in Barcelona July 27, 2013. REUTERS/Albert Gea (SPAIN - Tags: SPORT SWIMMING)

Thomas Peter Lurz of Germany celebrates as he won the men's 25km open water race during the World Swimming Championships at De La Fusta venue in Barcelona July 27, 2013. REUTERS/Albert Gea (SPAIN - Tags: SPORT SWIMMING)

Thomas Peter Lurz of Germany reacts after he won the men's 25km open water race during the World Swimming Championships at De La Fusta venue in Barcelona July 27, 2013. REUTERS/Albert Gea (SPAIN - Tags: SPORT SWIMMING)

Thomas Peter Lurz of Germany celebrates as he won the men's 25km open water race during the World Swimming Championships at De La Fusta venue in Barcelona July 27, 2013. REUTERS/Albert Gea (SPAIN - Tags: SPORT SWIMMING)

Thomas Peter Lurz of Germany celebrates as he won the men's 25km open water race during the World Swimming Championships at De La Fusta venue in Barcelona July 27, 2013. REUTERS/Albert Gea (SPAIN - Tags: SPORT SWIMMING)

Thomas Peter Lurz of Germany celebrates as he won the men's 25km open water race during the World Swimming Championships at De La Fusta venue in Barcelona July 27, 2013. REUTERS/Albert Gea (SPAIN - Tags: SPORT SWIMMING)

Thomas Peter Lurz of Germany celebrates as he won the men's 25km open water race during the World Swimming Championships at De La Fusta venue in Barcelona July 27, 2013. REUTERS/Albert Gea (SPAIN - Tags: SPORT SWIMMING)

Thomas Peter Lurz of Germany touches the finish line to win the men's 25km open water race during the World Swimming Championships at De La Fusta venue in Barcelona July 27, 2013. REUTERS/Albert Gea (SPAIN - Tags: SPORT SWIMMING)

Silver medalists Spyridon Gianniotis, Kalliopi Araouzou and Antonios Fokaidis of Greece, winners Thomas Peter Lurz, Isabelle Franziska Harle and Christian Martin Reichert of Germany and bronze medalists Allan Do Carmo, Poliana Okimoto Cintra and Samuel De Bona of Brazil (L-R) show their medals on the podium after the team event 5km open water race during the World Swimming Championships at De La Fusta venue in Barcelona July 25, 2013. REUTERS/Albert Gea (SPAIN - Tags: SPORT SWIMMING)

Winners Christian Martin Reichert, Isabelle Franziska Harle and Thomas Peter Lurz of Germany (L-R) show their gold medals after the team event 5km open water race during the World Swimming Championships at De La Fusta venue in Barcelona July 25, 2013. REUTERS/Albert Gea (SPAIN - Tags: SPORT SWIMMING)

Winners Christian Martin Reichert, Isabelle Franziska Harle and Thomas Peter Lurz of Germany (L-R) show their gold medals after the team event 5km open water race during the World Swimming Championships at De La Fusta venue in Barcelona July 25, 2013. REUTERS/Albert Gea (SPAIN - Tags: SPORT SWIMMING)

Winners Thomas Peter Lurz, Isabelle Franziska Harle and Christian Martin Reichert of Germany (L-R) show their gold medals after the team event 5km open water race during the World Swimming Championships at De La Fusta venue in Barcelona July 25, 2013. REUTERS/Albert Gea (SPAIN - Tags: SPORT SWIMMING)

Winners Thomas Peter Lurz, Isabelle Franziska Harle and Christian Martin Reichert of Germany (L-R) show their gold medals after the team event 5km open water race during the World Swimming Championships at De La Fusta venue in Barcelona July 25, 2013. REUTERS/Albert Gea (SPAIN - Tags: SPORT SWIMMING)

Second placed Thomas Peter Lurz of Germany, winner Spyridon Gianniotis of Greece and third placed Oussama Mellouli of Tunisia (L-R) hold their medals during the men's 10km open water victory ceremony at the World Swimming Championships at De La Fusta venue in Barcelona July 22, 2013. REUTERS/Albert Gea (SPAIN - Tags: SPORT SWIMMING)

Second placed Thomas Peter Lurz of Germany holds his silver medal during the men's 10km open water victory ceremony at the World Swimming Championships at De La Fusta venue in Barcelona July 22, 2013. REUTERS/Albert Gea (SPAIN - Tags: SPORT SWIMMING)

Spyridon Gianniotis of Greece (R) celebrates as he won the men's 10km open water race in front of second placed Thomas Peter Lurz of Germany (C) and third placed Oussama Mellouli of Tunisia (L) during the World Swimming Championships at De La Fusta venue in Barcelona July 22, 2013. REUTERS/Albert Gea (SPAIN - Tags: SPORT SWIMMING)

Thomas Peter Lurz of Germany celebrates his second place at the men's 10km open water race during the World Swimming Championships at De La Fusta venue in Barcelona July 22, 2013. REUTERS/Albert Gea (SPAIN - Tags: SPORT SWIMMING)

Spyridon Gianniotis of Greece (R) celebrates as he won the men's 10km open water race in front of second placed Thomas Peter Lurz of Germany (L) and third placed Oussama Mellouli of Tunisia (C) during the World Swimming Championships at De La Fusta venue in Barcelona July 22, 2013. REUTERS/Albert Gea (SPAIN - Tags: SPORT SWIMMING)

Second placed Eric Hedlin of Canada, winner Oussama Mellouli of Tunisia and third placed Thomas Peter Lurz of Germany (L-R) hold their medals after the men's 5km open water race at the World Swimming Championships in Barcelona July 20, 2013. REUTERS/Albert Gea (SPAIN - Tags: SPORT SWIMMING)

Third placed Thomas Peter Lurz of Germany holds his bronze medal after the men's 5km open water race at the World Swimming Championships in Barcelona July 20, 2013. REUTERS/Albert Gea (SPAIN - Tags: SPORT SWIMMING)

Third placed Thomas Peter Lurz of Germany holds his bronze medal after the men's 5km open water race at the World Swimming Championships in Barcelona July 20, 2013. REUTERS/Albert Gea (SPAIN - Tags: SPORT SWIMMING)

Third placed Thomas Peter Lurz of Germany, second placed Eric Hedlin of Canada and winner Oussama Mellouli of Tunisia (L-R) finish the men's 5km open water race at the World Swimming Championships in Barcelona July 20, 2013. REUTERS/Albert Gea (SPAIN - Tags: SPORT SWIMMING)

Third placed Thomas Peter Lurz of Germany reacts after the men's 5km open water race at the World Swimming Championships in Barcelona July 20, 2013. REUTERS/Albert Gea (SPAIN - Tags: SPORT SWIMMING)

Tunisia's gold medallist Oussama Mellouli, Germany's silver medalist Thomas Lurz (L) and Canada's bronze medallist Richard Weinberger pose after the men's 10km marathon swimming at Hyde Park during the London Olympic Games August 10, 2012. REUTERS/Dominic Ebenbichler (BRITAIN - Tags: OLYMPICS SPORT SWIMMING)

Tunisia's gold medallist Oussama Mellouli, Germany's silver medalist Thomas Lurz (L) and Canada's bronze medallist Richard Weinberger pose after the men's 10km marathon swimming at Hyde Park during the London Olympic Games August 10, 2012. REUTERS/Dominic Ebenbichler (BRITAIN - Tags: OLYMPICS SPORT SWIMMING)

Germany's Thomas Lurz poses with his silver medal after the men's 10km marathon swimming at Hyde Park during the London Olympic Games August 10, 2012. REUTERS/Dominic Ebenbichler (BRITAIN - Tags: OLYMPICS SPORT SWIMMING)

Silver medallist Germany's Thomas Lurz (L) and bronze medallist Canada's Richard Weinberger react after finishing in the men's 10km marathon swimming at Hyde Park during the London Olympic Games August 10, 2012. REUTERS/Stefan Wermuth (BRITAIN - Tags: OLYMPICS SPORT SWIMMING)

Germany's Thomas Lurz competes in the men's 10km marathon swimming at Hyde Park during the London Olympic Games August 10, 2012. REUTERS/Stefan Wermuth (BRITAIN - Tags: OLYMPICS SPORT SWIMMING)

Thomas Lurz of Germany holds Wenlock, the Olympic mascot, as he stands on the podium after winning a silver medal in the London 10K Marathon Swimming International in the Serpentine in Hyde Park August 13, 2011. REUTERS/Suzanne Plunkett (BRITAIN - Tags: SPORT SWIMMING) 

Thomas Lurz of Germany competes in the London 10K Marathon Swimming International in the Serpentine in Hyde Park August 13, 2011. REUTERS/Suzanne Plunkett (BRITAIN - Tags: SPORT SWIMMING) 

Isabelle Haerle, Thomas Lurz (R) and Jan Wolfgarten of Germany (C) celebrate their bronze medal at the team's 5km open water race during the 14th FINA World Championships in Shanghai July 21, 2011. REUTERS/Aly Song (CHINA - Tags: SPORT SWIMMING AQUATICS) 

Germany's Thomas Lurz poses with his silver medal for the men's 10km open water race at the 14th FINA World Championships in Shanghai July 20, 2011. REUTERS/Aly Song (CHINA - Tags: SPORT SWIMMING AQUATICS) 

Silver medallist Thomas Lurz of Germany, gold medallist Spyros Gianniotis of Greece and bronze medallist Sergey Bolshakov of Russia (L-R) pose after the medal ceremony for the men's 10km open water race at the 14th FINA World Championships in Shanghai July 20, 2011. REUTERS/Aly Song (CHINA - Tags: SPORT SWIMMING AQUATICS) 

Germany's Thomas Lurz competes in the men's 10km open water race at the 14th FINA World Championships in Shanghai July 20, 2011. REUTERS/Aly Song (CHINA - Tags: SPORT SWIMMING AQUATICS) 

Members of the German team Jan Wolfgarten (L), Nadine Reichert (C) and Thomas Lurz react after their 4th place finish in the 5 km open water team event at the European Swimming Championships in the Lake Balaton in Balatonfured August 6, 2010. REUTERS/Wolfgang Rattay (HUNGARY - Tags: SPORT SWIMMING) 

Igor Snitko of Ukraine (R) swims to eighth place in the men's 10 km open water race at the European Swimming Championships in Lake Balaton in Balatonfured August 4, 2010. Thomas Lurz of Germany won the gold medal ahead of Italy's silver medallist Valerio Cleri and Russia's bronze medallist Evgeny Drattsev. REUTERS/Wolfgang Rattay (HUNGARY - Tags: SPORT SWIMMING) 

Spyridon Gianniotis of Greece drinks during the men's 10 km open water race at the European Swimming Championships in Lake Balaton in Balatonfured August 4, 2010. Gianniotis took seventh place in the race. Thomas Lurz of Germany won the gold medal in front of Italy's silver medallist Valerio Cleri and Russia's bronze medallist Evgeny Drattsev. REUTERS/Wolfgang Rattay (HUNGARY - Tags: SPORT SWIMMING) 

Spyridon Gianniotis of Greece swims to seventh place in the men's 10 km open water race at the European Swimming Championships in Lake Balaton in Balatonfured August 4, 2010. Thomas Lurz of Germany won the gold medal ahead of Italy's silver medallist Valerio Cleri and Russia's bronze medallist Evgeny Drattsev. REUTERS/Wolfgang Rattay (HUNGARY - Tags: SPORT SWIMMING IMAGES OF THE DAY) 

Christian Reichert of Germany (white cap, #22) reaches a feeding point on his way to fourth place in the men's 10 km open water race at the European Swimming Championships in Lake Balaton in Balatonfured August 4, 2010. Thomas Lurz of Germany won the gold medal ahead of Italy's silver medallist Valerio Cleri and Russia's bronze medallist Evgeny Drattsev. REUTERS/Wolfgang Rattay (HUNGARY - Tags: SPORT SWIMMING) 

Christian Reichert of Germany swims to fourth place in the men's 10 km open water race at the European Swimming Championships in Lake Balaton in Balatonfured August 4, 2010. Thomas Lurz of Germany won the gold medal ahead of Italy's silver medallist Valerio Cleri and Russia's bronze medallist Evgeny Drattsev. REUTERS/Wolfgang Rattay (HUNGARY)
- Tags: SPORT SWIMMING) 

Spyridon Gianniotis of Greece swims in front of the Marina hotel to seventh place in the men's 10 km open water race at the European Swimming Championships in Lake Balaton in Balatonfured August 4, 2010. Thomas Lurz of Germany won the gold medal ahead of Italy's silver medalist Valerio Cleri and Russia's bronze medalist Evgeny Drattsev. REUTERS/Wolfgang Rattay (HUNGARY)
- Tags: SPORT SWIMMING) 

Valerio Cleri of Italy swims to a silver medal in the men's 10 km open water race at the European Swimming Championships in the Lake Balaton in Balatonfured August 4, 2010. Thomas Lurz of Germany won the gold medal in front of Italy's silver medalist Valerio Cleri and Russia's bronze medalist Evgeny Drattsev. REUTERS/Wolfgang Rattay (HUNGARY
- Tags: SPORT SWIMMING) 

Thomas Lurz of Germany swims to a gold medal in the men's 10 km open water race at the European Swimming Championships in the Lake Balaton in Balatonfured August 4, 2010. REUTERS/Wolfgang Rattay (HUNGARY - Tags: SPORT SWIMMING) 

Thomas Lurz of Germany swims to a gold medal in the men's 10 km open water race at the European Swimming Championships in the Lake Balaton in Balatonfured August 4, 2010. REUTERS/Wolfgang Rattay (HUNGARY - Tags: SPORT SWIMMING) 

Evgeny Drattsev of Russia (front) and Thomas Lurz of Germany swim in the men's 10 km open water race at the European Swimming Championships in Balatonfured August 4, 2010. Thomas Lurz of Germany won the gold medal in front of Italy's silver medalist Valerio Cleri and Russia's bronze medalist Evgeny Drattsev. REUTERS/Wolfgang Rattay (HUNGARY - Tags: SPORT SWIMMING) 

Thomas Lurz of Germany displays his gold medal after winning the men's 10 km open water race at the European Swimming Championships in Balatonfured August 4, 2010. REUTERS/Wolfgang Rattay (HUNGARY - Tags: SPORT SWIMMING) 

Thomas Lurz of Germany displays his gold medal after winning the men's 10 km open water race at the European Swimming Championships in Balatonfured August 4, 2010. REUTERS/Wolfgang Rattay (HUNGARY - Tags: SPORT SWIMMING)