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

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

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

(L to R) Paul Biedermann of Germany, Natalia Ischenko of Russia, Thomas Lurz of Germany and Tania Cognotto of Italy pose with their awards during European Short Course Swimming Championship in Istanbul December 12, 2009. Biedermann received Best Male Swimmer award, Ischenko Best Synchro swimmer award, Lurz Best Open Water Male Swimmer award and Cognotto Best Female diver award. REUTERS/Osman Orsal (TURKEY - Tags: SPORT SWIMMING) 

Gold medallist Thomas Lurz of Germany (C) celebrates on the podium with silver medallist Andrew Gemmell of the U.S. (L) and bronze medallist Francis Crippen of the U.S. after the men's 10 km open water race at the World Championships in Rome July 24, 2009. REUTERS/Alessandro Bianchi (ITALY SPORT SWIMMING) 

Thomas Lurz of Germany swims on his way to winning the gold medal in the men's 10 km open water race at the swimming world championships in the Roman seaside resort town of Ostia July 22, 2009. Lurz won his second open water gold medal on Wednesday after winning the 5 km race on July 21, 2009. REUTERS/Alessandro Bianchi (ITALY SPORT SWIMMING) 

Andrew Gemmel of the U.S. (L) and his compatriot Francis Crippen leave the sea following the men's 10 km open water race at the swimming world championships in the Roman seaside resort town of Ostia July 22, 2009. Germany's Thomas Lurz won the race on Wednesday followed by Gemmel (silver medal) and Crippen (bronze medal). REUTERS/Alessandro Bianchi (ITALY SPORT SWIMMING) 

Thomas Lurz of Germany swims on his way to win the gold medal in the men's 10 km open water race at the swimming world championships in the Roman seaside resort town of Ostia July 22, 2009. REUTERS/Alessandro Bianchi (ITALY SPORT SWIMMING) 

Thomas Lurz of Germany celebrates winning the gold medal in the men's 10 km open water race at the swimming world championships in the Roman seaside resort town of Ostia July 22, 2009. REUTERS/Wolfgang Rattay (ITALY SPORT SWIMMING) 

Thomas Lurz of Germany celebrates winning the gold medal in the men's 10 km open water race at the swimming world championships in the Roman seaside resort town of Ostia July 22, 2009. REUTERS/Wolfgang Rattay (ITALY SPORT SWIMMING) 

Germany's Thomas Lurz leads the pack of swimmers on his way to winning the gold medal in the men's 5 km open water race at the swimming world championships in the Roman seaside resort town of Ostia July 21, 2009. REUTERS/Alessandro Bianchi (ITALY SPORT SWIMMING) 

Germany's Thomas Lurz swims on his way to winning the gold medal in the men's 5 km open water race at the swimming world championships in the Roman seaside resort town of Ostia July 21, 2009. REUTERS/Alessandro Bianchi (ITALY SPORT SWIMMING) 

Germany's Thomas Lurz swims on his way to winning the gold medal in the men's 5 km open water race at the swimming world championships in the Roman seaside resort town of Ostia July 21, 2009. REUTERS/Alessandro Bianchi (ITALY SPORT SWIMMING) 

Germany's Thomas Lurz swims on his way to winning the gold medal in the men's 5 km open water race at the swimming world championships in the Roman seaside resort town of Ostia July 21, 2009. REUTERS/Alessandro Bianchi (ITALY SPORT SWIMMING) 

Germany's Thomas Lurz holds his gold medal after winning the men's 5 km open water race at the World Championships in the Roman seaside resort town of Ostia July 21, 2009. REUTERS/Alessandro Bianchi (ITALY SPORT SWIMMING) 

Germany's Thomas Lurz holds his gold medal after winning the men's 5 km open water race at the World Championships in the Roman seaside resort town of Ostia July 21, 2009. REUTERS/Alessandro Bianchi (ITALY SPORT SWIMMING) 

Germany's Thomas Lurz bites into his gold medal after winning the men's 5 km open water race at the World Championships in the Roman seaside resort town of Ostia July 21, 2009. REUTERS/Alessandro Bianchi (ITALY SPORT SWIMMING) 

Germany's Thomas Lurz bites his gold medal after winning the men's 5 km open water race at the swimming world championships in the Roman seaside resort town of Ostia July 21, 2009. REUTERS/Alessandro Bianchi (ITALY SPORT SWIMMING) 

Spyridon Gianniotis of Greece (L) celebrates his silver medal together with Germany's gold medal winner Thomas Lurz following the men's 5 km open water race at the swimming world championships in the Roman seaside resort town of Ostia July 21, 2009. REUTERS/Alessandro Bianchi (ITALY SPORT SWIMMING) 

Chad Ho of South Africa (L) celebrates his bronze medal together with Germany's gold medal winner Thomas Lurz following the men's 5 km open water race at the swimming world championships in the Roman seaside resort town of Ostia July 21, 2009. REUTERS/Alessandro Bianchi (ITALY SPORT SWIMMING) 

Thomas Lurz of Germany reacts after winning the gold medal in the men's 5 km open water race at the swimming world championships in the Roman seaside resort town of Ostia July 21, 2009. REUTERS/Alessandro Bianchi (ITALY SPORT SWIMMING) 

Thomas Lurz of Germany reacts after winning the gold medal in the men's 5 km open water race at the swimming world championships in the Roman seaside resort town of Ostia July 21, 2009. REUTERS/Alessandro Bianchi (ITALY SPORT SWIMMING) 

Thomas Lurz of Germany gets ready for the start before winning the gold medal in the men's 5 km open water race at the swimming world championships in the Roman seaside resort town of Ostia July 21, 2009. REUTERS/Wolfgang Rattay (ITALY SPORT SWIMMING) 

Thomas Lurz of Germany tries to take off the timing device from his wrist after winning the gold medal in the men's 5 km open water race at the swimming world championships in the Roman seaside resort town of Ostia July 21, 2009. REUTERS/Wolfgang Rattay (ITALY SPORT SWIMMING) 

Thomas Lurz of Germany poses for photographers after winning the gold medal in the men's 5 km open water race at the swimming world championships in the Roman seaside resort town of Ostia July 21, 2009. REUTERS/Wolfgang Rattay (ITALY SPORT SWIMMING) 

Thomas Lurz of Germany (C) reacts after winning the gold medal in the men's 5 km open water race at the swimming world championships in the Roman seaside resort town of Ostia July 21, 2009. At left is Spain's Francisco Jose Hervas and at right is Francis Crippen of the U.S. REUTERS/Wolfgang Rattay (ITALY SPORT SWIMMING) 

Thomas Lurz of Germany (R) reacts after winning the gold medal in the men's 5 km open water race at the swimming world championships in the Roman seaside resort town of Ostia July 21, 2009. At left is Luca Ferretti of Italy. REUTERS/Alessandro Bianchi (ITALY SPORT SWIMMING) 

Germany's Thomas Lurz (C), Brazil's Allan do Carmo (R) and Germany's Christian Reichert celebrate on the podium after the men's marathon 10km swimming competition at the Open Water World Championship in Setubal, near Lisbon June 27, 2009. Lurz finished first, Reichert second and do Carmo third. REUTERS/Nacho Doce (PORTUGAL SPORT SWIMMING) 

Germany's Thomas Lurz celebrates his victory in the men's marathon 10km swimming competition at the Open Water World Championship in Setubal, near Lisbon June 27, 2009. REUTERS/Nacho Doce (PORTUGAL SPORT SWIMMING) 

Thomas Lurz of Germany competes in the men's marathon 10km swimming event at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games August 21, 2008. REUTERS/Aly Song (CHINA) 

Thomas Lurz of Germany poses with his bronze medal in the men's marathon 10km swimming competition at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, August 21, 2008. Gold medallist Maarten van der Weijden of the Netherlands poses at right. REUTERS/Wolfgang Rattay (CHINA) 

Thomas Lurz of Germany celebrates with his bronze medal in the men's marathon 10km swimming competition at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, August 21, 2008. REUTERS/Darren Whiteside (CHINA) 

Thomas Lurz of Germany poses with his bronze medal in the men's marathon 10km swimming competition at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, August 21, 2008. REUTERS/Wolfgang Rattay (CHINA) 

Thomas Lurz of Germany poses with his bronze medal in the men's marathon 10km swimming competition at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, August 21, 2008. REUTERS/Wolfgang Rattay (CHINA) 

Silver medallist David Davies (L) of Britain, gold medallist Maarten van der Weijden of the Netherlands and bronze medallist Thomas Lurz (R) of Germany pose during the medal ceremony for the men's marathon 10km swimming competition at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, August 21, 2008. REUTERS/Wolfgang Rattay (CHINA) 

Silver medallist David Davies (L) of Britain, gold medallist Maarten van der Weijden of the Netherlands and bronze medallist Thomas Lurz (R) of Germany stand on the podium during the medal ceremony for the men's marathon 10km swimming competition at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, August 21, 2008. REUTERS/Aly Song (CHINA) 

Thomas Lurz of Germany poses with his bronze medal in the men's marathon 10km swimming competition at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, August 21, 2008. Silver medallist David Davies of Britain is in the background. REUTERS/Wolfgang Rattay (CHINA) 

Silver medallist David Davies (L) of Britain, gold medallist Maarten van der Weijden of the Netherlands and bronze medallist Thomas Lurz (R) of Germany pose during the medal ceremony for the men's marathon 10km swimming competition at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, August 21, 2008. REUTERS/Darren Whiteside (CHINA) 

Gold medallist Maarten van der Weijden (L) of the Netherlands and bronze medallist Thomas Lurz of Germany stand on the podium after the men's marathon 10km swimming competition at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games August 21, 2008. REUTERS/Darren Whiteside (CHINA) 

Thomas Lurz of Germany poses with his bronze medal in the men's marathon 10km swimming competition at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, August 21, 2008. REUTERS/Darren Whiteside (CHINA) 

Thomas Lurz of Germany receives a towel after completing the men's marathon 10km swimming competition at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, August 21, 2008. REUTERS/Wolfgang Rattay (CHINA) 

Thomas Lurz of Germany competes in the men's marathon 10km swimming competition at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games August 21, 2008. REUTERS/Aly Song (CHINA) 

Germany's Thomas Lurz holds his gold medal after winning the men's 5 km race during the World Open Water Swimming Championships in Seville May 6, 2008. REUTERS/Javier Barbancho (SPAIN) 

Germany's Thomas Lurz stands on the podium after winning the men's 5 km race during the World Open Water Swimming Championships in Seville May 6, 2008. REUTERS/Javier Barbancho (SPAIN) 

Germany's Thomas Lurz walks after winning the men's 5 km race during the World Open Water Swimming Championships in Seville May 6, 2008. REUTERS/Javier Barbancho (SPAIN) 

Germany's Thomas Lurz (R) is celebrated by Maarten van der Weijden of Netherlands in the men's 5 km race during the World Open Water Swimming Championships in Seville May 6, 2008. REUTERS/Javier Barbancho (SPAIN) 

Germany's Thomas Lurz touches the finish line board to win the men's 5 km race during the World Open Water Swimming Championships in Seville May 6, 2008. REUTERS/Javier Barbancho (SPAIN) 

Germany's Thomas Lurz touches the finish line board to win the men's 5 km race during the World Open Water Swimming Championships in Seville May 6, 2008. REUTERS/Javier Barbancho (SPAIN) 

Germany's Thomas Lurz holds his bronze medal after the men's 10 km race during the World Open Water Swimming Championships in Seville May 4, 2008. REUTERS/Javier Barbancho (SPAIN) 

Russia's Vladimir Dyatchin (L) shakes hand with third-placed Germany's Thomas Lurz after the men's 10 km race during the World Open Water Swimming Championships in Seville May 4, 2008. REUTERS/Javier Barbancho (SPAIN) 

Thomas Lurz of Germany reacts after the men's 1,500m freestyle swimming heat at the World Aquatics Championship in Melbourne March 31, 2007. REUTERS/Wolfgang Rattay (AUSTRALIA) 

Thomas Lurz of Germany competes in the men's 1,500m freestyle swimming heat at the World Aquatics Championship in Melbourne March 31, 2007. REUTERS/Wolfgang Rattay (AUSTRALIA) 

Thomas Lurz of Germany reacts after winning his fifth long-distance swimming world championships gold medal following the men's 5 km open water event at the World Aquatic Championships at St. Kilda Beach in Melbourne March 18, 2007. REUTERS/Wolfgang Rattay (AUSTRALIA) 

Germany's Thomas Lurz swims on his way to winning the silver medal in the men's 10 km open water competition at the World Aquatic Championships at St. Kilda Beach in Melbourne March 21, 2007. Russia's Vladimir Dyatin beat Lurz for gold by 0.06 seconds in a close photo finish. REUTERS/Wolfgang Rattay (AUSTRALIA) 

Germany's Thomas Lurz swims on his way to winning the silver medal in the men's 10 km open water competition at the World Aquatic Championships at St. Kilda Beach in Melbourne March 21, 2007. Russia's Vladimir Dyatin beat Lurz for gold by 0.06 seconds in a close photo finish. REUTERS/Wolfgang Rattay (AUSTRALIA) 

Germany's Thomas Lurz takes a sip after winning the silver medal in the men's 10 km open water competition at the World Aquatic Championships at St. Kilda Beach in Melbourne March 21, 2007. Russia's Vladimir Dyatin beat Lurz by 0.06 seconds in a close photo finish. REUTERS/Wolfgang Rattay (AUSTRALIA) 

Germany's Thomas Lurz gestures after he took the silver medal following the men's 10 km open water competition at the World Aquatic Championships at St. Kilda Beach in Melbourne March 21, 2007. Russia's Vladimir Dyatin beat Lurz by 0.06 seconds in a close photo finish. REUTERS/Wolfgang Rattay (AUSTRALIA) 

Germany's Thomas Lurz leaves the sea after winning the silver medal in the men's 10 km open water competition at the World Aquatic Championships at St. Kilda Beach in Melbourne March 21, 2007. Russia's Vladimir Dyatin beat Lurz by 0.06 seconds in a close photo finish. REUTERS/Wolfgang Rattay (AUSTRALIA)