US Trials underway

[lane4]

The aforementioned meet is now underway and Phelps has just started his campaign with a presumably relatively easy 4:16.11 in the heats of the 400 IM. Ryan Lochte 2nd on 4:17, Erik Vendt 3rd 4:19. It took 4:24.8 to make the final.

[DAK]

Results can be found here:

http://www.omegatiming.com

3 guys went 3.49 for 400 Free in heats too. Should be a crackin meet.

[mad4it]

Excuse me Mr4, I've already started a thread on this.... http://www.swimclub.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=2811

:devil:

[lane4]

I thought it better we have one in the Olympic section.

[lane4]

The first night of finals are about to start and a certain Mr Phelps is first up on the programme! Go Phelps!

:flash:

[lane4]

New World Record!

Phelps 4:08.41 (splits 55 - 1:02 - 1:12 - 57)

Vendt takes 2nd spot on team in 4:14.09.

[lane4]

Womens 100 fly semis were very strong with top 6 all within 0.25 of each other (59.0 to 59.2) and it took 59.6 to make the final. A surprise outsider Demerae Christianson heads the qualifers in 59.01 but Kirk, Hyman, Thompsen and Vollmer are all in close attention.

Just had an incredible swim from Klete Keller to win the 400 free (3:44.1, an American record). He was close to Thorpe's world record pace over the first 300 (went out in 1:50). Larson Jensen took second in a very impressive 3:46 as well.

[lane4]

Amazing swim from Katie Hoff to win the 400 IM in 4:37.6 (beating Janet Evans American record). Sandeno 4:40 for 2nd.

Brendan Hansen leads the qualifiers after the 100 breast semis with an American record 1:00.13. Gangloff 60.9, Usher 60.1 and Moses 61.8 still all in with a shout.

5 events, 1 world record, 3 American records. Not bad going for day 1.

[Steve]

Amazing swim from Katie Hoff to win the 400 IM in 4:37.6 (beating Janet Evans American record). Sandeno 4:40 for 2nd.

Wrong! She beat Janet Evans' US Open (All-Comers) Record - American record stays at 4:37.58 by Summer Sanders from the Barcelona Olympics :D

[GettingFaster]

Wrong! :D
How nice to see that directed at lane4 - certainly makes a change and proves that even the perfect can get things wrong from time to time. I'm sure that'll warm the cockles of a Canadian heart to see...
:devil:

[Steve]

How nice to see that directed at lane4 - certainly makes a change and proves that even the perfect can get things wrong from time to time. I'm sure that'll warm the cockles of a Canadian heart to see...
:devil:
Well we have to keep in line don't we ;) :devil:

[DAK]

Wrong! She beat Janet Evans' US All-Comers Record - American record stays at 4:37.58 by Summer Sanders from the Barcelona Olympics :D

You sound like you have been waiting to say that for a while Steve! :devil:

Some outstanding swims yesterday, looking for more of the same today!

[Katie]

Sorry to be thick, but I don't understand the difference between these two records? What's the difference between an all-comers and an American record?

[mad4it]

An All-comers record is just the fastest time swam by anyone on US soil. So a Brit could have an all-comers record if they swam the fastest time ever swam in America, however a American Record is only attainable by US Swimmers just like British Records are only attainable from British swimmers.
I think thats right!

[Chris]

An All-comers record is just the fastest time swam by anyone on US soil. So a Brit could have an all-comers record if they swam the fastest time ever swam in America, however a American Record is only attainable by US Swimmers just like British Records are only attainable from British swimmers.
I think thats right!
Sounds about right to me!!

[lane4]

My apologies to you all for the minor error committed whilst recognising an outstanding performance. It is a shame for you that my error seems more important to you than the results themselves.

Hope you blame the BBC too...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/olympics_2004/swimming/3875629.stm

[lane4]

How nice to see that directed at lane4 - certainly makes a change and proves that even the perfect can get things wrong from time to time. I'm sure that'll warm the cockles of a Canadian heart to see...
:devil:
You sound very happy at my error GF, as though you are bitter about me in some way?

[GettingFaster]

Well it's so rare that you make them ;) you have to allow us mere mortals to comment when you do. :angel:
You know we love you really!

[Katie]

Thanks mad4it, that makes sense now! I was trying to work out how an all-comers record could possibly be slower than the american record!! I see now tho!

[selkie]

One quirk to US Open records is that they will recognize relay swims when not all the swimmers compete with the same passport. So you get cases where the US Open relay records are faster than the FINA world records for that relay. Auburn went almost two seconds faster than the World Best in the 200 free relay this year at NCAAs, but that record will go unratified as a World Best because they had Fred Bousquet anchoring and George Bouvell leading off.

Stacianna Stitts had a very nice prelims swim in the 100 breast- 1:07.2 She's been just outside the top girls in that event since Sydney, and good to see her break through this morning.

[Bazza]

Have to say day 1 very exciting - Phelps giving us a taste of what to expect, Keller swimming very well and Hoff (just 15!). Also a very close womens 100 fly and very fast 100 breast from Brendan Hansen. All in all a great day at the office for the yanks.

Look forward to catching up with the rest of the results when I get back from holiday! :devil:

[lane4]

Stacianna Stitts had a very nice prelims swim in the 100 breast- 1:07.2 She's been just outside the top girls in that event since Sydney, and good to see her break through this morning.
In 2000, Stitts went 1:07 at the Trials and then bombed out at the Games with a 1:09 or was it even a 1:10? I just hope that if she makes the team this year with a 1:06/1:07 she will maintain that sort of speed into the Games themselves.

[mad4it]

Natalie Coughlin led the Womens 100 Back this morning, in 1.00.71, a new meet record pretty much completely dominating the rest of the field. Keller took the lead from Phelps in the 200 free, it looks like that was a rather relaxed heat swim for both of them in 1.48.15 and 1.48.4 respectively. The mens 100 back was quite close too with Krayzelburg and Piersol just 2 hundredths apart, I'm looking forward to that final, should be close and would no doubt be amazing to watch. And lastly Sandeno leads the womens 400 free in 4.09.81, nothing too exciting this morning, hopefully the evening will be as good as last nights, perhaps another world record?!!?!

[Steve]

My apologies to you all for the minor error committed whilst recognising an outstanding performance. It is a shame for you that my error seems more important to you than the results themselves.

Hope you blame the BBC too...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/olympics_2004/swimming/3875629.stm
I saw that and I sure did have a growl about the BBC coverage! :mad: (but at least it made it onto their site!) but I assure you it was nothing personal

Tonight should be a very interesting set of finals - 100 breastroke sure to be top of everyone's agenda; Hansen could well go under the minute, but will the pressure get to him? Also interesting to see whether Phelps will take the 200 free semi relatively easy and just do enough to qualify for tomorrow, or whether he will see it as his best chance for a time, as the final clashes with two other events. I'd go for the former, but then I thought that in Barcelona in the 100 fly semis and he broke the world record!

[lane4]

Lindsay Benko has pulled out of tonight's 400 free final (lying 2nd!) to concentrate on the 200 later in the week. Why did she bother with the heats in the first place one wonders!? The relieved swimmer is Diana Munz who now gets to swim the final.

[Steve]

Brendan Hansen - 59.30 world record - 100m breaststroke! Great Swim!

<a href="http://www.pullbuoy.co.uk/news/archives/000069.html" target"main">history for hansen in 100m breaststroke</a>

[selkie]

Munz almost manages to get a spot after getting into the finals as a lucky loser, but falls short and takes third to Kaitlin Sandeno and Kalyn Keller. So it's looking like US Swimming has its first brother-sister teammates (Klete Keller won the 400 free yesterday) since Jack and Shirley Babashoff in the 1970s.

Ed Moses was a surprising 6th in the 100 breast. Second there instead was Mark Gangloff.

Women's 100 breast tommorrow looks like a real catfight. Just because you can go 1:07 doesn't mean you're going to get to go to Athens.

[Steve]

Munz almost manages to get a spot after getting into the finals as a lucky loser, but falls short and takes third to Kaitlin Sandeno and Kalyn Keller. So it's looking like US Swimming has its first brother-sister teammates (Klete Keller won the 400 free yesterday) since Jack and Shirley Babashoff in the 1970s.

Presumably that's in Olympic terms - Aaron and Hayley Peirsol both went to Barcelona last year IIRC, and both could yet go to Athens. Two sets of siblings in one team would be quite unusual I would imaine.

[mad4it]

I wondered if they were related, although they don't swim for the same team, I guess it is dependant on where they decided to go to uni. Some great swimmming last night, lets hope our mens breaststrokers can pull something even better out of the bag!
Jenny Thompson qualified in the 100 fly too behind Rachel Comisarz, how many olympics is that she has done? Will this be her 4th or 5th games?
Well thats two nights in a row we've had World Records, what can we expect from Day3, the toughest day of the meet, perhaps in the mens 200free or can Aaron Piersol break 53.60 to take the 100 back?!?! :)

[swimgurl]

Do u think that the british guys and girls stil stand a good chance of medalling at the olympic games now that we have seen the strength of the competition especially from the americans?

[mad4it]

Everyone stands a chance, however it depends on how mentally focused the British team can stay and try not to concern themselves with the opposition, they need to swim in their own lane and focus on going as fast as possible; if they do that then whether they medal or not is irrelevant (its just thats what we all want them to do at the same time! ;) :p).

[swimgurl]

yeh lets hope that they manage 2 do that, with all the hard work that has bin put in by the british team they deserve 2 do well and medal this time :)

[DAK]

There are still in with a shout of medals, everyone knew these trials would be fast so I don't think it changes too much.

Hansen's 100 Brs yesterday may stick the gold out of reach for Gibson and Mew...but you never know.

[Breezer]

they need to swim in their own lane

As opposed to nicking someone elses lane :p

[mad4it]

:rolleyes:.................... :D

[Katie]

Apparently the British Team got their kit yesterday! It sounds sooooo nice! It's by Roots and Ben Sherman. Cool.

[selkie]

IJenny Thompson qualified in the 100 fly too behind Rachel Comisarz, how many olympics is that she has done? Will this be her 4th or 5th games?

4th games. In '92, she was an individual gold medal favorite but (mumble) suspicously fast Chinese women (mumble). 96, she had an unexpectedly bad Trials, and only qualified as a relays swimmer. Then 2000 and this year.

I'm a bit disappointed at the times in the women's fly. The team needs to have someone going 58 low/57 high to keep up with Petria Thomas on the medley relay. Here's hoping JT or Rachel can find just a bit more speed in Greece.

[glen_75]

I'm very impressed with the men. They will be formidable. The US seems to have legitimate gold hopes in most events and at the very least medal prospects in each race.

The women have been ordinary. Aside from Coughlin and Hoff they've failed to impress me. Certainly it must be regarded as a disappointment given the strength of past teams. They swept the relays in Sydney. They will be hard pressed to beat the favoured Aussies in any of the relays in Athens.

Even though the olympics are yet to come it's clear that the US has the class men's team and the Australian ladies are the premier women's team ... for this year. It will be interesting to see who takes the overall medal tally but I hope it doesn't unravel into the grandstanding and hype we witnessed in Sydney. I think with some great European swimmers and the olympics in Greece the focus will be on competitors from all nations.

[mad4it]

:D WOW! Another world record from Hansen in the 200BRS - 2.09.04! :D

Top performance swimming has continued over the weekend, another outstanding performance from Katie Hoff this time in the 200IM 2.12.06 the second fastest time in the world this year by 1hdth. Also very impressive 2.23.32 from Amanda Beard last night in the women's 200BRS semi's, just shows how far behind GB Breaststrokers are...
Also Friday night was pretty good from Aaron Piersol just 4hdths outside the WR for 100BC posting 53.64 followed by Lenny Krayzelburg in 54.06.

I'm currently thinking Mel Marshall and Georgina Lee have a pretty good chance of making the podium in Athens looking at how others are swimming, Misty Hyman failed to qualify this year in the 200fly, however Dana Kirk only went 2.08.86. And the American women could only go 1.59 last night in the 200free compared with Mel's 1.57 in April (oh yeh and possibly our womens 4x200 relay could do well).....things are looking good! :)

[croberts]

Dana Kirk went the same time at Trials that Misty Hyman did when she came out of nowhere to win the 200 Fly in Sydney. I wouldn't say that the times really indicate too much. The fastest times on the Men's side are coming in events that don't have as much competition, the womens meet seems to be a lot about getting on the team. I expect Jenny Thompson to be back to her World Champs 03 self by Athens.

[selkie]

Dana Kirk was also faster at Janet Evans meet when she had Petria Thomas next door. I think she's capable of faster- last night she took it out very quick, and was kind of cruising/fading at the end.

Also on the women's side, Natalie Coughlin's 100 back was a flawed, but sub-1:00 performance after an iffy start. If she ever can put together a whole near perfect race in that event (she had a horrible turn and banged heels on shallow bottom when she swam her WR) I think she's capable of going 58 high.

I've liked Amanda Beard so far as well. She may not have the raw speed of Liesl Jones, but at this stage of the game, she's the better racer when the stakes are high. I was also impressed with her 200 IM since that's a relatively new event at the elite level for her.

Jenny Thompson was a disappointment in the fly- she needs to be a second or so faster. But then she's improved from bad trials before- she was faster in Atlants than she was in the '96 trials. Lindsay Benko continues to be inconsistent. Hopefully she can manage one of her good swims at the right time since the 200 free looks utterly stacked this year. At least the US has Coughlin available for the 4x200- she's 1.5-2.0 seconds ahead of the Trials 4th place.

The distance frees are also looking a bit iffy. A lot of good performances, but no one's throwing down a breakout time so far. Considering those events have been strong points for the US in recent years, it would be nice if someone like Kate Ziegler could step up and look like the next big thing there, but I'm not holding my breath.

On the men's side- Go Scott Usher! Not too many Olympians come out of Wyoming, where the buffalo outnumber the people in spots. 2:10 high in the 200 breast puts him into the mix.

[DAK]

Fast 50 Free heats.

Hall Jnr - 22.19
Lezak - 22.25

Also, Crocker in 100 fly 51.69.

[glen_75]

Dana Kirk went the same time at Trials that Misty Hyman did when she came out of nowhere to win the 200 Fly in Sydney. I wouldn't say that the times really indicate too much. The fastest times on the Men's side are coming in events that don't have as much competition, the womens meet seems to be a lot about getting on the team. I expect Jenny Thompson to be back to her World Champs 03 self by Athens.

Yes, Dana can probably be quicker given her better result at the Evans meet. But I think what we witnessed in Sydney from Misty was an anomaly. It happens now and again (Sieben in '84) but I wouldn't count on it. Otylia, Petria, and Eva are clearly well ahead of her at this point.

I'm not sure I agree that the times don't indicate too much. That may be wishful thinking on your part. One month out from the games I think it indicates plenty. Sure some will improve and Thompson may do so, but in order to make the team it logically follows that you have to be in good form. Jenny's comments indicate that she was disappointed in her fly time. She couldn't have expected before trials that a 58.98 would give her an olympic berth. Another possibility is that the US is simply weaker in some women's events this go around. We will find out soon enough. It is actually the swimmers that don't have as much competition in their races that would be most likely to take a gamble and not do the full taper. Perhaps Malchow did this ... or maybe his best is behind him ... I don't know.

Amazingly, it appears that Bowman told Rowdy Gaines prior to the meet that Phelps wasn't fully rested. Interestingly, he has since said that Michael is feeling better as the meet progresses after complaining of sore shoulders after only the first 2 days. Apparently, even with all the races it is much less than he does in training so he is swimming less these days. :aarrgghh:

OK?! So they say ... I'm not really buying it. :rolleyes:

[swimbuoy]

I'm currently thinking Mel Marshall and Georgina Lee have a pretty good chance of making the podium in Athens looking at how others are swimming, Misty Hyman failed to qualify this year in the 200fly, however Dana Kirk only went 2.08.86. And the American women could only go 1.59 last night in the 200free compared with Mel's 1.57 in April (oh yeh and possibly our womens 4x200 relay could do well).....things are looking good! :)

I agree that things are indeed looking rosy for Marshall & even a repeat of her Trials time will get her a medal. I am not so positive about Lee making the podium on the 200 fly.

Dont forget about Thomas, Jedrzejczak, Nakanishi, Galvez, & as you mention Dana Kirk who have all swum faster. I would suspect a 2.06 will be necessary to medal. I think her medal chance may come in the 4x200 relay.

[swimgurl]

does anyone know why the americans and canadians are having there trials so close 2 the olympics compared 2 the uk and the aussies having theres back in april? this must mean that they cannot hav put as much preperation in as us as they wopuld not be sure that they had qualified or not?? do u think that this will give the uk an advantage?? :rainbow:

[Katie]

In a way I think that's right swimgurl, but an awful lot can change between the trials and the Olympics. I think it sort of makes sense to have them now. :)

[glen_75]

Looking at the results from the US and Australian trials along with other meets the UK's best medal hopes appear to be David Davies in the 1500, Mel Marshall in the 200 free, Edmond in the 200 Breast, and Mew/Gibson in the 100 Breast.

The 4x200 is a tantalising possibility. The Aussie girls will be prohibitive favourites. The US is stronger than the 200 result would indicate because Coughlin swam 1:58.3 at the Janet Evans meet last month. The Chinese as ever, are an unknown quantity. After Franziska, there is a drop off with the Germans.

The Men's medley relay probably won't medal but they should destroy the UK record and get Top 5 minimum. The US, Japan, Aus, and Russia might be too strong but after these teams nobody is far and away ahead. A slight chance of bronze here if everything went right. The breast is the money leg here and with improvement in back and fly ... never say never. The anchor is the weak link.

[mad4it]

:D Two more world records! From Aaron Piersol in the 200BC - 1.54.74 and Amanda Beard in the 200BRS - 2.22.44! :D
These guys are flying! Phelps managed to go 1.56.7 to win the Mens 200IM fastest time of the year by 3 seconds, so assuming he chooses this event he should be a dead set to win.

Having thought more about it now perhaps Lee isn't such a strong possibility but I'm not ruling her out I reckon she could go 2.06, after all she has got plenty experience so nerves shouldn't be to big a factor. Edmond will really have to go some to keep up with Kitijama, Hansen and Piper however he is in there with them. :)

[ruthcp]

:D Two more world records! From Aaron Piersol in the 200BC - 1.54.74 and Amanda Beard in the 200BRS - 2.22.44! :D
These guys are flying! Phelps managed to go 1.56.7 to win the Mens 200IM fastest time of the year by 3 seconds, so assuming he chooses this event he should be a dead set to win.

Having thought more about it now perhaps Lee isn't such a strong possibility but I'm not ruling her out I reckon she could go 2.06, after all she has got plenty experience so nerves shouldn't be to big a factor. Edmond will really have to go some to keep up with Kitijama, Hansen and Piper however he is in there with them. :)

Is any of this on TV like Eurosport or other?

[Dreama]

Remember when our womens 200free relay team beat the aussies at the commonwealths in 2002? And we didn't even have Mel Marshall then did we?

[mad4it]

Remember when our womens 200free relay team beat the aussies at the commonwealths in 2002? And we didn't even have Mel Marshall then did we?

Yes but Oz didn't have Linda MacKenzie, Petria Thomas, Elka Graham and Shayne Reese going 1.58.5,1.58.5,1.58.7 and 2.00.1 respectively did they?! :)
It has the potential to be a very exciting race! :D

[crawler]

I couldn't see any TV coverage other than a brief clip on Eurosport 24 hour news (and I do mean brief!). Such a shame when there is wall-to-wall extreme sports, 10pin bowling, etc - if only there was a truly global sports channel.
I checked NBC site over the weekend but there is no webcast appearing - so I ended up "doing a Lane 4" and "watching" the events via Omega live timing - what a way to spend a Saturday night!
Breezer mentioned Olympic coverage in US and it seems from NBC site that they will be screening live events from Athens.
Is this is change in the US approach as I'd always heard that their coverage was very sparse, limited to highlights with a huge US bias and pretty much ignoring other countries performances??

[mad4it]

...with a huge US bias and pretty much ignoring other countries performances??
I think that this will probably still happen its just more coverage [which is good!:)], however after watching american tv when I was in Canada last summer any sport has a huge US bias but if you think about it the BBC and ITV do exactly the same thing (and no im not getting all patriotic again) but surrounding Euro 2004 it was all very bias to England everything was compared to their games and the same goes for Wimbledon it was all about Tim and Greg; every country does it to a certain extent when you think about it.


if only there was a truly global sports channel.
Please don't raise my hopes..!If only huh! ;) :D :rolleyes:

Ruthcp, No the US Trials aren't on any terrestrial or interactive channel in the UK unfortunately, I am also "watching" it on USASwimming.com!

[Tara]

I kept reading about the new Speedo caps that the swimmers were wearing, but have now found a pic of one on natalie coughlin...
nats cap (http://www.democratandchronicle.com/sports/general/07130D4SPB1_sports.shtml)
They look pretty weird, I read somewhere that Natalie was fiddling with the cap before the race (100m free) and wasnt totally happy with it..They sure look weird. They are apparently pretty hard and modelled on cyclists time-trialing hats.
Will the GB team be in them come Athens?!

[DAK]

I kept reading about the new Speedo caps that the swimmers were wearing, but have now found a pic of one on natalie coughlin...
nats cap (http://www.democratandchronicle.com/sports/general/07130D4SPB1_sports.shtml)
They look pretty weird, I read somewhere that Natalie was fiddling with the cap before the race (100m free) and wasnt totally happy with it..They sure look weird. They are apparently pretty hard and modelled on cyclists time-trialing hats.
Will the GB team be in them come Athens?!

Whats the deal with the new caps? More streamline? Smoother in water?

[glen_75]

Good question dak, either or both I suppose. Spacy look. I guess Phelps originally intended to wear one but he didn't like it and ditched it. Krayzelburg wore one during the 100 back final.

[glen_75]

I neglected to mention Goddard and Tait as medal hopefuls in the 200 back. You have to throw them in the mix too. Even moreso if Phelps decides to drop the race from his olympic programme.

[croberts]

Good question dak, either or both I suppose. Spacy look. I guess Phelps originally intended to wear one but he didn't like it and ditched it. Krayzelburg wore one during the 100 back final.

Speedo reps talked a lot about how normal caps and bunch up and slow you down. So they wanted a cap "guaranteed" to be streamlined all the time.

[mad4it]

:D New World Record for Ian Crocker in 100FLY - 50.76! :D

Closely followed by Michael Phelps in 51.15 to qualify for his 6th individual event. Womens 200BC was taken by Margaret Hoelzer in 2.11.88 and second Kristen Caverley in 2.12.7. Kalyn Keller qualified for her second event in the 800FREE in 8.26.33 just behind of Diana Munz in 8.26.06. And Gary Hall took the Mens 50FREE in 21.91 with Jason Lezak taking second. :)

I wonder what Phelps is going to do now? If he wants 7 gold he is going to have to do all 6 individual events as he's only qualified for the 4x200 free!!?!

[DAK]

:D New World Record for Ian Crocker in 100FLY - 50.76! :D

Closely followed by Michael Phelps in 51.15 to qualify for his 6th individual event. Womens 200BC was taken by Margaret Hoelzer in 2.11.88 and second Kristen Caverley in 2.12.7. Kalyn Keller qualified for her second event in the 800FREE in 8.26.33 just behind of Diana Munz in 8.26.06. And Gary Hall took the Mens 50FREE in 21.91 with Jason Lezak taking second. :)

I wonder what Phelps is going to do now? If he wants 7 gold he is going to have to do all 6 individual events as he's only qualified for the 4x200 free!!?!

Outstanding stuff from Crocker and Hall Jnr. I see Hall Jnr was up to his usual nonsense after the race! :devil:

Phelps will more than likley swim in the 4x100 Free also and potentially the heats of the 4x100 Medley hence receiving a medal.

So...if he wins 200 Medley, 400 Medley and 200 Fly as expected...and the US win all 3 relays then he would need to win one of the 200 Free, 100 Fly or 200 Back to get his 7.

Should be good to watch!

[Steve]

In any case the US usually selects their medley relay team purely on the basis of perfomances at the meet in question, hence if Phelps were to win the 100 fly (which would be one way of getting his 7th gold) he'll end up in the medley relay team anyway, which must be an odds on favourite to win given the results at these trials, so killing two birds with one stone, as it were.

Also, it sounds as though they will shoehorn him into the 4x100 free team regardless (although by all accounts there are some disgruntled sprinters at the US trials who want him to swim a time trial) as his 49.05 from earlier in the season would have placed him second in the final behind Lezak's impressive 48 point.

[DAK]

The 4x200 is no formality, in fact I would make the Aussies slight favourites.

[Dreama]

I'd like to see the Aussies win...

[mad4it]

I just realised that the USA 4x100 Medley Relay will be amazing and the record of 3.31 could easily be broken with Piersol, Hansen, Crocker, Lezak as three of them are already world record holders in their 100 events! How can anyone else match that? Are GB even entering a 4x100 Medley - Tait,Mew,Cooper,????? ?

[DAK]

That relay team could be the one you state or:

Krazleburg, Hansen, Phelps and Lezak. Amazing depth.

I would imagine the GB will enter the team of Tait, Mew/Gibson, Cooper and Kidd. Not quite in the same league!!

[The ROCK]

I would imagine the GB will enter the team of.................


could be a job for the infamous b-team?

EIO

[glen_75]

I'd like to see the Aussies win...
I'd like to see anybody BUT the Aussies or Americans win. I'm hoping the Russians can create some magic in the 4x100! Hopefully the giants will fall often like in Euro 2004. It becomes boring if the plot is too familiar.

[DAK]

could be a job for the infamous b-team?

EIO

They have nothing on the B-Team, Rocky...team spirit(s) wise anyway!

[selkie]

Prelim swimmers also get whatever medals the finals swimmers get. They just don't get to stand on the podium. So as long as the US swims clean, Phelps will in all likleyhood pick up gold for a prelim swim in the 400MR even if Ian beats him in the open 100 fly.

Sigh. I'm feeling burned out about Phelps coverage already. Wire service headlines were not that Ian Crocker sets another world record, but that Michael gets second.

It was good to see Kristen Caverly sneak onto the team in the 200 back after coming into that event seeded in the teens. She's been swimming so well at the meet, and only had a string of 3rds and 4ths to show for it all until that point.

[Dreama]

I can't see how if he wins the 7th Gold by swimming in a Prelim round of a relay that it really counts to whatever great target people are setting for him...I wouldn't feel like I'd actually won it!

[Breezer]

Well to Speedo it does, they have said they will give Phelps the $1 million even if a gold comes from a heat swim

[DAK]

Phelps has dropped the 200 Back from his Olympic Program.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/olympics_2004/swimming/3895619.stm

[Breezer]

I dont think he will do it now

[mad4it]

US Olympic Qualifiers:

CROCKER Ian
DUSING Nate
GANGLOFF Mark
GOLDBLATT Scott
HALL Gary
HANSEN Brendan
HUNT Bryce
JENSEN Larsen
KELLER Klete
KETCHUM Daniel
KRAYZELBURG Lenny
LEZAK Jason
LOCHTE Ryan
MALCHOW Tom
PHELPS Michael
PIERSOL Aaron
USHER Scott
VANDERKAAY Peter
VENDT Erik
WALKER Neil
WOODWARD Gabriel

BEARD Amanda
BENKO Lindsay
BRUCE Caroline
CAVERLY Kristen
COPE Haley
CORREIA Maritza
COUGHLIN Natalie
HOELZER Margaret
HOFF Katie
JEFFREY Rhi
JOYCE Kara Lynn
KELLER Kalyn
KIRK Tara
KIRK Dana
KOMISARZ Rachel
LAANE Colleen
MUNZ Diana
PIPER Carly
SANDENO Kaitlin
THOMPSON Jenny
VOLLMER Dana
WEIR Amanda

Thats a pretty strong team, 6 world records, 9 american records, 16 US Open records and 21 meet records it was quite a successful trials, we'll just have to wait and see if they can carry on this speed into the olympics...things are getting exciting! 28 days to go! :D

[geochuck]

Just watching a rerun of the complete NBC USA olympic swimming trials. Some great swimming.

George www.swimdownhill.com

[lane4]

The 4x200 is a tantalising possibility.
I see Swiminfo are predicting GB as pretty much certain gold medallists in the womens 4 x 200 with the Aussies and USA fighting for silver.

[geochuck]

There was a time.... if you were beaten by a Brit you would hang your head in shame. I guess now it may be you could hold your head high.

George

[lane4]

There was a time.... if you were beaten by a Brit you would hang your head in shame. I guess now it may be you could hold your head high.
That wasn't in the 1950's by any chance was it? ;)

Ironically, in the 21st century you hang your head in shame if you get beaten by a Canadian!

[geochuck]

I guess that lane 4 does not under stand a compliment for the GB swimmers

1950,s right You must have learned your lessons well. It must be the great Scottish coaches of the day. It's about time. Canada will always be in trouble when they keep their present coaching regime...

[Steve]

I see Swiminfo are predicting GB as pretty much certain gold medallists in the womens 4 x 200 with the Aussies and USA fighting for silver.
I saw that too and was a bit taken aback - I'm not sure what they are basing that prediction on. Sure we're likely to be in the hunt, but IMHO probably not for the gold.

Looking at the current world rankings, Australia must be the favourites - with 5 swimmers in the top 20 (we have one - Mel Marshall, but she is number 1!) in Thomas (1:58.2) Mckenzie (1:58.5) Graham (1:58.7) Henry (1:59.2) and Lenton (1:59.9). The US also have 5 but ony the first two (Coughlin and Benko) have been under 1:59 this season.

For my money it's between these two for gold and silver, then us, Gemrany and China for the bronze.

[GettingFaster]

Ok, so who's keeping tabs on the predictions and who's going to check to see how right or wrong they were...?

[geochuck]

Ok, so who's keeping tabs on the predictions and who's going to check to see how right or wrong they were...?
I guess I will volunteer to keep tabs on Lane4's predictions. If lane4 is right I will take my hat off to him or her.

George

[ruthcp]

I guess I will volunteer to keep tabs on Lane4's predictions. If lane4 is right I will take my hat off to him or her.

George

Lane4 is always right!!! :p

[Dreama]

I believe in GB, they have the determination to pull something off...

[speedoboy]

I can think of one Canadian coach working in GB who would have made a difference to Canadian swimming.

This may not be the appropriate thread, one should probably be created, but what are your predictions for the GB team?

[geochuck]

I can think of one Canadian coach working in GB who would have made a difference to Canadian swimming.

This may not be the appropriate thread, one should probably be created, but what are your predictions for the GB team?
Please don't say his name is Johnson

George

[speedoboy]

Please don't say his name is Johnson

George
Its not, in fact the coach I was reffering to is from your part of the world.

[mad4it]

From USASwimming (www.usaswimming.org) : Olympic team captains have been selected (7/27/2004)

The 2004 Olympic team captains have been announced:

Men: Lenny Krayzelburg and Tom Malchow.
Women: Lindsay Benko and Jenny Thompson.

All four veterans bring a wealth of experience to the table.
Krayzelburg won three gold medals at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney in the 100m back, the 200m back and the 400m medley relay. A three-time Olympian, Malchow is the defending Olympic champion in the 200m butterfly.
Benko won a gold medal at the 2000 Games in the 800m free relay and also swam the 200m free. Thompson, meanwhile, will be competing in her fourth Olympics and is the most decorated American female Olympian of all time.


Do Team GB have captains?

[Breezer]

Who would be peoples choices for the GB captains?

[swimgurl]

katie sexton/sarah price and james gibson/darren mew

[mad4it]

Is that your choice swimgurl or fact? (sorry I'm not sure which post your replying to!) :)

I think I would have Alison Sheppard (5time olympian) and Graeme Smith (bronze medalist in atlanta) with Georgina Lee and James Hickman. :)

[swimgurl]

no thats my choice! :)

[Tara]

I think I would have Alison Sheppard (5time olympian) and Graeme Smith (bronze medalist in atlanta) with Georgina Lee and James Hickman. :)

Good choice I reckon, but would probably swap James Hickman for Steve Parry. Maybe you could start a poll on it!

[Bazza]

Wasn't it Shep and Parry at the last major meet (Euro SC)?

[Katie]

I thought it was Karen Pickering for the girls, although not sure.