At the subsequent German leg of the tour in Berlin, Thorpe and American backstroke World Champion Lenny Krayzelburg were drug tested. Unable to locate the required containers, the testing officials asked the swimmers for permission to have their samples left unsealed in a fridge overnight against the security protocol for drug testing, permission that was refused by the Australian and US officials. After a standoff, a compromise was struck: German police officers were called in to take temporary responsibility for the samples. Thorpe proceeded to cut more than 1.5 s from his world short course record in the 200 m freestyle, receiving a standing ovation from a German crowd that disagreed with Thiesmann's comments. Thorpe rates this as his best-ever performance, ahead of his victories at Olympic and World level.