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RIO OLYMPICS SPECIAL PREVIEW EDITION | JULY 2016

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FEATURES

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KIRSTY COVENTRY: AN INSPIRATION FOR A NATION

by Wayne Goldsmith

Kirsty Coventry, who competed in her first Olympics in 2000 at Sydney, will be representing Zimbabwe in Rio de Janeiro for her fifth straight Olympic Games. Now 32, Coventry recently reflected on her remarkable swimming journey that has resulted in her being tied with Hungary’s Kristina Egerszegi for the most individual Olympic medals won by a female athlete.

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BY CASEY BARRETT

COLUMNS are also beneficiaries of a beautiful perfect Remember when you used to watch along with wise, behind-the-scenes must-see-TV with commercials and all?

Beginning with its November 2015 issue and running OLYMPIC SCHEDULE: AQUATIC SPORTS 008storm, through Swimming Worlddays Magazine wizards who(Aug. saw BackJuly in2016, those strange when you had Swimming 6-13)it coming and managed counted down its top 9 upsets in the individual Open Water to harness it. (Aug. 15-16) the patience to pauseanfor wordson from sponevents in Olympic history—with emphasis the Diving (Aug. 7-20) last 50 years.

USA Swimming’s Executive Director sors, before returning to whatever sitcom or Water Polo (Aug. 6-20) Chuck Wielgus saw it before anyone else, scripted drama you fancied?

Yeah, seems 016 - #9 “Iron Mike” Burton Synchronized Swimming (Aug. 14-19) way back in 2000, when he witnessed the like longPolltime ago, doesn’t it? But not 018 - #8aSylvia power U.S. TEAM TrialsROSTERS in Indianapolis— when it comes to sports.

020 - #7 Anthony Nesty 2016of U.S.the OLYMPIC 076 and his first thought was, “We can do bet022 - #6 Katie days, Ledeckyit seems the only time viewThese 026 Dougsit Russell ter.” ers- #5will through those mind-numbing PARTING 028 - #4 Sandy Neilson theySHOT ever. commercials is when they’re watching a 080 Did 032 #3 Felipe Munoz His longtime deputy and smartest-manlive sporting event—the more at stake the 034 - #2 Misty Hyman in-swimming, Mike Unger, took the reins better. It has given tremendous power to 036 - #1 Laurie Lawrence & Lucky Lane 6 and bridged the gap between swimming and various professional leagues, which now those network sports producers who knew possess a product that is more valuable than 039 2016 OLYMPIC PREVIEW: SWIMMING how to produce great television, but didn’t ever before.

(EVENT

BY EVENT)Swimming—and all Olympic always grasp the quirks and the ins-anda beneficiary thisTaylor New World bysport—is David Rieder with assistanceoffrom Brien, Annie Grevers, Brent T. Rutemiller outs of our sport. Unger has become NBC’s TV Order. and Michael J. Stott. indispensable swim-mind, who also hapI still can’t quite get my head around the pens to possess a sophisticated understandfact that NBC aired eight nights of swim039 - Women’s Swimming 055 - Men’s ing of televised storytelling and live events. ming inSwimming prime time, live from 8-9 p.m.

And on the ground in Omaha for the EST...on the network itself—not one of last eight years, there’s Harold Cliff, the its myriad cable outlets—for an event that 2016 OLYMPIC PREVIEW: OPEN WATER 071 president of the Omaha Sports Commisthe Olympics! It was for the U.S. bywasn’t Annie Grevers sion. Cliff is the former CEO of Swimming Olympic Swimming Trials in Omaha, an Canada and among the most respected figevent that has been transformed into one of 072 2016 OLYMPIC PREVIEW: WATER POLO ures at the upper reaches of the sport. He byAmerica’s Annie Greversgreatest sporting spectacles—a was recruited by Unger and Wielgus back swim meet that takes place in a sold-out, in 2007 to run the show. He had an unpar14,000-seat arena, DIVING produced with the kind 2016 OLYMPIC PREVIEW: 074 alleled reputation as the go-to man to run of unscripted, fast-paced drama that adds up

by Annie Grevers the World Championships, helming both to ratings gold. the 2005 Worlds in Montreal and the 2007 Indeed, when the Nielsen TV ratings OLYMPIC PREVIEW: 075 2016 Worlds in Melbourne. After three straight came out a week after the Trials, swimming SYNCHRONIZED SWIMMING stunning successes running the U.S. Trials, owned four of the top 17 spots among the

by Annie Grevers he’s front-page news in Omaha. highest-rated shows on television—and They say those U.S. Trials are five of the top 23. Think about that—near“better than the Olympics” themselves, and ly a quarter of the highest-rated episodes ON THE COVER in many ways they are. But there’s no onewatched that week featured swimmers!

The XXXI Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro will be the last hurrah for the upping the Games. That’s when the world Michael Phelps—thank you And forfor many that.

Greatest Olympian of All Time, the USA’s Michael Phelps. will forever sit up and become swim fans, if Morearound thanthe anyone you’re responsible other swimmers world, it else, could be their first taste of Olympic glory. swimming, open water, diving, watersport polo and only for a week. forAsthat transformation of our in the synchronized swimming prepare to take center Swimming In Rio, we know this: it will be live, and public consciousness.

Ryanstage, Lochte, Missy World will Franklin, help you get ready all of the aquatic action. all We prime the ratings will be huge.

KatieforLedecky—you’re have complete schedules and rosters. We’ll take a look into Commercials and all.  time players, too, leading our sport with unthe past and bring you the top 9 Olympic upsets as well precedented and lasting exposure. as a look into the present in an exclusive interview with Casey Barrett The athletes—they’re the stars of this Olympic great, Kirsty Coventry. And, of course, we’ll Senior Commentator show, and they deserve the most praise take a look into the future and tell you how we see theinlion’s sharewho of will thewin spoils. But they the action and unfolding Rio—including

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TOP 9 OLYMPIC UPSETS

by Chuck Warner

039

055

medals in all of the 32 swimming events.

Photo by Peter H. Bick

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SWIMMING MAGAZINE / AugustSPECIAL 2016 EDITION 6 SWIMMING WORLDWORLD MAGAZINE / 2016 OLYMPIC

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I N T E R N AT I O N A L CO R R E S PO N D E N T S Africa: Chaker Belhadj (TUN) Australia: Wayne Goldsmith, Ian Hanson Europe: Norbert Agh (HUN), Camilo Cametti (ITA), Oene Rusticus (NED), Rokur Jakupsstovu (FAR) Japan: Hideki Mochizuki Middle East: Baruch “Buky” Chass, Ph.D. (ISR) South Africa: Neville Smith (RSA) South America: Jorge Aguado (ARG)

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SWIMMING WORLD MAGAZINE / 2016 OLYMPIC SPECIAL EDITION

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2016 RIO OLYMPICS | AQUATIC EVENTS SCHEDULE

OLYMPIC SCHEDULE: AQUATIC SPORTS Editor’s Note: The times listed in the following schedules are the starting and ending times in Rio de Janeiro. The time in Rio is one hour ahead of Eastern Daylight Time in the United States. Therefore, when an event begins in Rio at 10 p.m., it would be 9 p.m. in New York.

SWIMMING ( POOL ) & 10K MARATHON ( OPEN WATER ) DAY 1 (Saturday, Aug. 6) Afternoon Session 13:00 - 15:20

Evening Session 22:00 - 23:55

Men

400 IM

Prelims

Men

400 IM

Final

Women

100 Fly

Prelims

Women

100 Fly

Semifinals

Men

400 Free

Prelims

Men

400 Free

Final

Women

400 IM

Prelims

Women

400 IM

Final

Men

100 Breast

Prelims

Men

100 Breast

Semifinals

Women

4 x 100 FR

Prelims

Women

4 x 100 FR

Final

DAY 2 (Sunday, Aug. 7) Afternoon Session 13:00 - 15:30

Evening Session 22:00 - 00:25

Women

100 Back

Prelims

Women

100 Fly

Final

Men

200 Free

Prelims

Men

200 Free

Semifinals

Women

100 Breast

Prelims

Women

100 Breast

Semifinals

Men

100 Back

Prelims

Men

100 Breast

Final

Women

400 Free

Prelims

Women

400 Free

Final

Men

4 x 100 FR

Prelims

Men

100 Back

Semifinals

Women

100 Back

Semifinals

Men

4 x 100 FR

Final

DAY 3 (Monday, Aug. 8) Afternoon Session 13:00 - 14:25

Evening Session 22:00 - 00:00

Women

200 Free

Prelims

Women

200 Free

Semifinals

Men

200 Fly

Prelims

Men

200 Free

Final

Women

200 IM

Prelims

Women

100 Back

Final

Men

100 Back

Final

Women

100 Breast

Final

Men

200 Fly

Semifinals

Women

200 IM

Semifinals

DAY 4 (Tuesday, Aug. 9) Afternoon Session 13:00 - 14:45

8

Evening Session 22:00 - 00:10

Men

100 Free

Prelims

Men

100 Free

Semifinals

Women

200 Fly

Prelims

Women

200 Free

Final

Men

200 Breast

Prelims

Men

200 Fly

Final

Men

4 x 200 FR

Prelims

Women

200 Fly

Semifinals

Men

200 Breast

Semifinals

Women

200 IM

Final

Men

4 x 200 FR

Final

SWIMMING WORLD MAGAZINE / 2016 OLYMPIC SPECIAL EDITION

DAY 5 (Wednesday, Aug. 10) Afternoon Session 13:00 - 15:00

Evening Session 22:00 - 00:30

Women

100 Free

Prelims

Men

200 Breast

Final

Men

200 Back

Prelims

Women

100 Free

Semifinals

Women

200 Breast

Prelims

Men

200 Back

Semifinals

Men

200 IM

Prelims

Women

200 Fly

Final

Women

4 x 200 FR

Prelims

Men

100 Free

Final

Women

200 Breast

Semifinals

Men

200 IM

Semifinals

Women

4 x 200 FR

Final

DAY 6 (Thursday, Aug. 11) Afternoon Session 13:00 - 16:00

Evening Session 22:00 - 23:55

Men

50 Free

Prelims

Men

50 Free

Semifinals

Women

800 Free

Prelims

Women

200 Breast

Final

Men

100 Fly

Prelims

Men

200 Back

Final

Women

200 Back

Prelims

Women

200 Back

Semifinals

Men

200 IM

Final

Women

100 Free

Final

Men

100 Fly

Semifinals

DAY 7 (Friday, Aug. 12) Afternoon Session 13:00 - 15:35

Evening Session 22:00 - 23:30

Women

50 Free

Prelims

Women

200 Back

Final

Men

1500 Free

Prelims

Men

100 Fly

Final

Women

4 x 100 MR

Prelims

Women

800 Free

Final

Men

4 x 100 MR

Prelims

Men

50 Free

Final

Women

50 Free

Semifinals

DAY 8 (Saturday, Aug. 4) Afternoon Session - No Events Scheduled

Evening Session 22:00 - 00:10 Women

50 Free

Final

Men

1500 Free

Final

Women

4 x 100 MR

Final

Men

4 x 100 MR

Final

DAY 1 (Sunday, Aug. 7) 16:00 - 17:15

Women

3M Synchro

Final

DAY 2 (Monday, Aug. 8) 16:00 - 17:15

Men

10M Synchro

Final

DAY 3 (Tuesday, Aug. 9) 16:00 - 17:15

Women

10M Synchro

Final

DAY 4 (Wednesday, Aug. 10) 16:00 - 17:15

Men

3M Synchro

Final

DAY 5 (Thursday, Aug. 11)

NO EVENTS SCHEDULED

DAY 6 (Friday, Aug. 12) 15:30 - 18:30

Women

DAY 10 (Monday, Aug. 15) Morning Session 09:00 - 11:40 Women

10K Marathon

Final

DAY 11 (Tuesday, Aug. 16) Morning Session 09:00 - 11:40 Men

10K Marathon

Final

DIVING

3M Springboard

Prelim ( Continued on pg. 10 )

SWIMMING WORLD MAGAZINE / 2016 OLYMPIC SPECIAL EDITION

9

2016 RIO OLYMPICS | AQUATIC EVENTS SCHEDULE

DIVING ( Continued from pg. 9 ) DAY 7 (Saturday, Aug. 13) 16:00 - 17:40

Women

3M Springboard

Semifinals

DAY 8 (Sunday, Aug. 14) 16:00 - 17:30

Women

3M Springboard

Final

DAY 9 (Monday, Aug. 15) 15:15 - 18:45

Men

3M Springboard

Prelims

DAY 10 (Tuesday, Aug. 16) •

Morning Session 10:00 - 11:50

Men

3M Springboard

Semifinals

•

Evening Session 18:00 - 20:00

Men

3M Springboard

Final

Women

10M Platform

Prelims

DAY 11 (Wednesday, Aug. 17) 15:15 - 18:45 DAY 12 (Thursday, Aug. 18) •

Morning Session 10:00 - 11:30

Women

10M Platform

Semifinals

•

Evening Session 16:00 - 17:30

Women

10M Platform

Final

Men

10M Platform

Prelims

DAY 13 (Friday, Aug. 19) 16:00 - 19:10 DAY 14 (Saturday, Aug. 20) •

Morning Session 11:00 - 12:50

Men

10M Platform

Semifinals

•

Evening Session 16:30 - 18:10

Men

10M Platform

Final

WATER POLO DAY 1 (Saturday, Aug. 6) MEN - FIRST ROUND Morning Session 09:00 - 14:20 Serbia-Hungary

USA-Croatia

Evening Session 19:30 - 22:10 Spain-Italy

Greece-Japan

USA-Spain

Hungary-Australia

Spain-USA

Russia-Australia

France-Montenegro

Brazil-Australia

DAY 2 (Sunday, Aug. 7) - No Games Scheduled DAY 3 (Monday, Aug. 8) MEN - FIRST ROUND Morning Session 09:00 - 14:20 Serbia-Greece

Italy-France

Evening Session 19:30 - 22:10 Japan-Brazil

Croatia-Montenegro

DAY 4 (Tuesday, Aug. 9) WOMEN - FIRST ROUND Morning Session 09:00 - 14:20 China-Hungary

Italy-Brazil

DAY 5 (Wednesday, Aug. 10) MEN - FIRST ROUND Morning Session 09:00 - 14:20 Australia-Japan

Greece-Hungary

Evening Session 19:30 - 22:10 France-USA

Montenegro-Italy

China-USA

Spain-Hungary

Brazil-Serbia

Spain-Croatia

DAY 6 (Thursday, Aug. 11) WOMEN - FIRST ROUND Morning Session 09:00 - 14:20 Russia-Brazil

Italy-Australia

DAY 7 (Friday, Aug. 12) MEN - FIRST ROUND Morning Session 09:00 - 13:00 Hungary-Japan

10

Croatia-Italy

Evening Session 19:30 - 23:30 USA-Montenegro

SWIMMING WORLD MAGAZINE / 2016 OLYMPIC SPECIAL EDITION

Greece-Brazil

Spain-France

Serbia-Australia

WATER POLO (continued) DAY 8 (Saturday, Aug. 13) 09:00 - 14:20 WOMEN - FIRST ROUND Morning Session 09:00 - 14:20 China-Spain

Russia-Italy

Australia-Brazil

Hungary-USA

USA-Italy

France-Croatia

DAY 9 (Sunday, Aug. 14) MEN - FIRST ROUND Afternoon Session 12:50 - 18:10 Montenegro-Spain

Australia-Greece

Evening Session 19:30 - 22:10 Serbia-Japan

Brazil-Hungary

DAY 10 (Monday, Aug. 15) WOMEN - QUARTERFINALS Afternoon Session 14:10 - 16:50 - 2 GAMES TBD

Evening Session 18:20 - 21:00 - 2 GAMES TBD

DAY 11 (Tuesday, Aug. 16) MEN - QUATERFINALS Morning Session 11:00 - 13:40 - 2 GAMES TBD

Evening Session 15:10 - 17:50 - 2 GAMES TBD

DAY 12 (Wednesday, Aug. 17) WOMEN - SEMIFINALS Morning Session 11:00 - 13:40

Evening Session 15:10 - 17:50

Women: 5th-8th Place

Women: 5th-8th Place

DAY 13 (Thursday, Aug. 18) MEN - SEMIFINALS Morning Session 11:00 - 13:40

Evening Session 15:10 - 17:50

Men: 5th-8th Place

Men: 5th-8th Place

DAY 14 (Friday, Aug. 19) Morning Session 10:00 - 12:40 Women: 7th-Place Game

Evening Session 14:10 - 17:20 Women: Bronze-Medal Game

Women: 5th-Place Game

Women: Gold-Medal Game

DAY 15 (Saturday, Aug. 20) Morning Session 11:40 - 14:20 Men: 7th-Place Game

Evening Session 16:30 - 19:40 Men: Bronze-Medal Game

Men: 5th-Place Game

Men: Gold-Medal Game

SYNCHRONIZED SWIMMING DAY 1 (Sunday, Aug. 14) 11:00 - 13:15 Duet - Free Routine - Qualifying DAY 2 (Monday, Aug. 15) 11:00 - 13:15 Duet - Technical Routine DAY 3 (Tuesday, Aug. 16) 14:00 - 15:30 Duet - Free Routine - Final DAY 4 (Wednesday, Aug. 17) - No Events Scheduled DAY 5 (Thursday, Aug. 18) 13:00 - 13:50 Team - Technical Routine DAY 6 (Friday, Aug. 19) 12:00 - 13:30 Team - Free Routine - Final �

SWIMMING WORLD MAGAZINE / 2016 OLYMPIC SPECIAL EDITION

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swimming pool in Harare to Olympic glory and beyond.

KIRSTY COVENTRY:

An Inspiration for a Nation [ PHOTO BY PETER H. BICK ]

By Wayne Goldsmith

Kirsty Coventry, who competed in her first Olympics in 2000 at Sydney, will be representing Zimbabwe in Rio de Janeiro for her fifth straight Olympic Games. Now 32, Coventry recently reflected on her remarkable swimming journey that has resulted in her being tied with Hungary’s Kristina Egerszegi for the most individual Olympic medals won by a female athlete.

I

n the mid-1990s, my then fiancée (now wife), Helen Morris, and I were in Harare in Zimbabwe conducting a FINA coaching clinic. As part of the clinic, we had the opportunity to work with Zimbabwe-based swimmers and coaches in the classroom, on the deck and in the pool.

We met some wonderful people during that tour, but one person really stood out: a tall, skinny, blondhaired girl named Kirsty Coventry.

Even as a young age grouper, she stood out—talented and tenacious in the water, a hard worker, but alway

12

smiling, pleasant and respectful. She was already showing many of the characteristics that would take her to the top of world swimming.

Helen and I followed her career with great interest and always enjoyed seeing her race internationally, knowing what challenges and difficulties she had overcome along her swimming journey.

Recently, I had the pleasure of watching her compete at the Arena Pro Swim Series in Mesa, Ariz. Seeing her race again prompted me to contact her and ask her to share just some of her remarkable journey from that old

SWIMMING WORLD MAGAZINE / 2016 OLYMPIC SPECIAL EDITION

Q. WAYNE GOLDSMITH: Kirsty, thank you for your time and energy. Tell me a little about your early life in Zimbabwe. How did you become interested in swimming, who were your coaching influences and what were your early memories of training and competing?

A. KIRSTY COVENTRY: Growing up in Zimbabwe was amazing. Zimbabwean people are very warm, humble and accommodating.

There was an anthropologist doing a study somewhere in Africa, where he placed a bowl of fruit underneath a tree and told some children across the field that whoever got to the fruit first could have it all.

An amazing thing happened— they all held hands and ran to the fruit together!

When asked why they did that—i.e., when one of them could have enjoyed all the fruit—they responded, “Ubuntu.

How can one of us truly enjoy the fruits if we cannot share it?”

This is what it was like growing up in Zimbabwe. We were very fortunate to have a pool at our house, and my parents often laugh about how I would instinctively head toward the pool from a young age—similar to a newly hatched turtle.

My mum taught me to swim. I was swimming from the age of 18 months... and that was it!

Other children were coerced into finishing their homework and chores with chocolate and TV. My parents used swimming!

I would caution any parent who doesn’t allow his or her children to have fun in the pool because even when I joined my first swim club aged 6 years old, it wasn’t about competition or being serious—it was about finding a group of kids that I could have fun with.

It was my natural competitiveness and the opportunity I had to swim that led me to club swimming.

This, in turn, taught me about winning and losing. I hated to lose, so this meant I had to train harder! I was never a bad loser, and I have my

KIRSTY COVENTRY: AN INSPIRATION FOR A NATION

parents to thank for this. swim coach growing up was a butcher.

If you do make it through all these I remember one instance at a He would leave home at 4:30 a.m. obstacles, you have the ability to be the competition when I was up against a to come and coach us, drive to work best in the world because everything slightly older girl. I would win, and afterward and meet us back at the pool you have endured has made you so she would literally have a tantrum. She at 5 p.m. much stronger—not just physically, but would win, then puff out her chest and He now lives in Phoenix, Ariz., mentally and spiritually. parade around the pool.

There is something dreadful, but at looking after swimming pools, and he My parents pulled me aside still leaves home at 4:30 in the morning. the same time, thrilling, about jumping immediately after into a cold pool at the meet and told 5 a.m. for morning me that if I ever training—we do not behaved like have heated or indoor that—and it didn’t facilities in Zimbabwe! matter how old I When it gets too was—they would cold (about four months not let me swim of the year), swimming again! I felt like it is over, and we go and was my fault she play other sports. You behaved like that, don’t whine about not so I made sure not being able to swim— to hang around her you get on with it and again. do what you can.

My parents Often we would were my greatest have to check the pool influencers and for frogs and frog taught me to win eggs because there is with humility and nothing worse than to lose with grace. being in the middle of They taught me a stroke and feeling what was good the slimy roughness of and what was something gross! bad. Nothing was complicated— WG: Was there it was right or a time or a moment wrong...simple. when you “fell in Being humble love” with swimming Pictured: Kirsty Coventry has broken the world record in the women’s 100 backstroke once in August 2008 (at the Beijing Olympics) and three times in the 200 back between February has always been and decided to see how 2008 and August 2009. She was the first female swimmer to break 2:06 as well as 2:05. my personality, far you could go with and it is probably it? a combination of Until I started going on tours to good parents and having to work hard KC: When I was about 8 or 9 years for everything that I have managed to South Africa and Europe, I had no old, I told my parents I wanted to go to achieve so many of my goals. Nothing idea how bad our swimming facilities the Olympics and win gold. in Zimbabwe were. Then, when I saw was ever given to me.

Thinking about it now, I don’t know My coach, Charles Mathieson, what “real” swimming pools looked if I even knew what the Olympics was wasn’t any different to my parents. like, I trained harder. Instead of whining about. My parents are huge sports fans, We were taught to behave properly about our facilities, I did what I could and my uncles swam and boxed for because if we didn’t, there would be to earn the opportunity to swim in those Rhodesia...so maybe I knew a little bit consequences to our actions. This amazing pools again—it was my reward about it. made us accountable to each other and for training harder.

Was this the turning point in my I have learned to focus on solutions, career? I don’t know. I have always to ourselves.

My parents were also very good at not on problems, and that is not just been goal-oriented, even though I may leaving the coaching to the coach, and from playing sport, but because of not have known what a goal was when if I needed parenting, my coach would where I come from.

I was young.

Many people may think of it as a send me to my parents. There was a My parents never put me in a negative, but it’s only a negative if you swimming club—I wanted to join. I did distinct line between the two roles. continued on 14 Talk about coaching discipline! My don’t succeed. when I was 6.

SWIMMING WORLD MAGAZINE / 2016 OLYMPIC SPECIAL EDITION

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KIRSTY COVENTRY’S CAREER HIGHLIGHTS GLOBAL RANKINGS

Tied ( with Hungary’s Kristina Egerszegi ) for most individual Olympic medals won by a female (7) Most Olympic medals won in African history—all sports (7)

WORLD RECORDS (Long Course) 100 meter backstroke (1): - 58.77 (Aug. 11, 2008 - July 27, 2009)

200 meter backstroke (3):

- 2:06.39 (Feb. 16, 2008 - July 5, 2008) - 2:05.24 (Aug. 16, 2008 - Aug. 1, 2009) - 2:04.81 (Aug. 1, 2009 - Aug. 3, 2012)

WORLD RECORDS (Short Course) 200 meter backstroke (1): - 2:00.91 (Apr. 11, 2008 - Nov. 14, 2009)

OLYMPIC GAMES

Two gold medals (200 back, 2004/2008) Seven medals (2 gold, 4 silver, 1 bronze) Five-time Olympian (including this year at Rio de Janeiro)

WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS (LC)

Three gold medals (100 back, 2005; 200 back, 2005/2009) Eight medals (3 gold, 5 silver)

WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS (SCM)

Four gold medals (100 back, 200 back, 200 IM, 400 IM—2008) Five medals (4 gold, 1 bronze)

COMMONWEALTH GAMES One gold medal (200 IM, 2002)

ALL-AFRICA GAMES

14 gold medals (7, 2007; 4, 2011; 3, 2015) 22 medals (14 gold, 7 silver, 1 bronze)

NCAA CHAMPIONSHIPS

Auburn University (2003-04-05) Seven-time champion: 2003: 400 yard medley relay, 400 free relay, 800 free relay 2004 (SCM): 200 meter back 2005: 200 yard back, 200 IM, 400 IM ←

14

SWIMMING WORLD MAGAZINE / 2016 OLYMPIC SPECIAL EDITION

continued from 13

My parents never told me that I should think about the Olympics. I told them I wanted to go. I did when I was 16.

I would go fishing with my dad on Lake Kariba or the Zambezi River, watching elephants bathe while reading a book or while fishing; listening to the lions roar while cooking dinner; laughing at the baboons chasing each other; amazed because the giraffes were as tall as the trees!

Pictured: Kirsty Coventry, shown here as an age grouper and I was always so with her parents as a young child, learned to swim at the age of excited to catch a fish, 18 months and joined her first swim club when she was 6 years but I always knew I old. Says Kirsty ,“It wasn’t about competition or being serious—it was about finding a group of kids that I could have fun with.... My could catch a bigger one. parents were my greatest influencers and taught me to win with It wasn’t about being humility and to lose with grace.” unhappy with the fish I had just caught—it was fortunate I was. an inner feeling that I For a long time, in a way, I could had to keep fishing and try to catch have been seen as the “privileged a bigger one. white kid” because swimming I think that inner feeling was was seen as a white person’s sport. belief. I didn’t need my dad to tell Compared to the majority of the me that. I knew if I kept trying, I people in the country, I guess we would get it. were privileged, but we certainly I don’t think there was a specific were not driving flashy cars or flying moment when I decided to see off on holidays anywhere. how far I could go. I think it was From an early age, I knew how a progression of desire fueled by lucky I was. It was only until recently a combination of the influence of when I truly appreciated just what having good people around me, the opportunities I took, my own my parents had done for me.

We never had enough money for determination and self-belief. tours (e.g., traveling from Zimbabwe WG: It can be tough being a to South Africa for competition), so swimmer in many parts of Africa— my parents would sell hamburgers lots of challenges with facilities, and hot dogs at the swimming meets access to world-class competition and outside the supermarkets. My and many other tough struggles memories of these times are running with adversity. How did you around, chasing my sister with an overcome these challenges and ice cream in our hands, and wearing remain focused on becoming one the biggest smiles and sharing the of the best female swimmers in the deepest laughter. We were such world of all time? happy children because my parents never made their problems our KC: I at least had the opportunity problems.Similar to the wildebeest to learn to swim. Many people in on the African plains, only the fittest Africa didn’t, and still don’t. I think survive. If we constantly had to I was able to see this every day, worry about problems, we would and I’ve always appreciated how never do anything. We were forced

KIRSTY COVENTRY: AN INSPIRATION FOR A NATION

to be innovative, make a plan, come up Self-awareness is about knowing “mature,” I mean mature in emotional with solutions and get on with it—that’s who you are as an individual, separate intelligence and spiritual growth—I what makes you a survivor. from your environment and other have a greater purpose than just winning Despite all the challenges you individuals. If you are self-aware, you gold medals and breaking records. face—and I’m talking about real-life can be honest with yourself. If you are As important as it is for swimmers difficulties—if you can maintain your honest with yourself, then you can start to have these characteristics and traits, path and reach your goals, you will be being honest with your teammates, your it is vital that coaches also share some more than successful. coach and your support network—e.g., common values with their athletes.

I believe it’s important to strive parents, friends, spouses.

The bond to be more than between coach and just successful athlete can then, in in athletic terms—it’s about turn, become greater, accomplishing and this will develop your own goals more accountability, with humility respect and trust. while helping I have been others to reach fortunate to have their goals. coaches such as WG: Kim Brackin, David You’ve had the Marsh and Bob experience of Groseth, whose own working with some outstanding values reflect many athletes and of my own—and coaches...and we’ve all worked now, you’re together well as training with a result.

Coach Dave Marsh at WG: You’re SwimMAC in Pictured: Kirsty Coventry, shown here with young age groupers from Zimbabwe, tells children an inspiration to North Carolina. around the world who wish to pursue their Olympic dreams—as she has done: “If you can hold many young athletes What qualities, on and stay determined—if you never give up—you will always have the possibility of success.” in Zimbabwe, values and character traits throughout Africa This helps you with your goal-setting do you feel are essential for swimming and in many other parts of the world. because it makes you accountable to success?

If you had one piece of advice for a yourself. This, in turn, creates an easier young kid—swimming in a pool in KC: While it’s not the most obvious job for your coach because now, he or Africa and with a dream of following character trait to have, one of the most she can focus on coaching you and not you on the path to Olympic glory— important in my view is the capacity to having to “mommy” you. what would it be?

To be successful in anything, you be self-aware.

KC: We cannot predict when an Swimming is a lonely sport. You have to be passionate, purpose-driven opportunity will present itself, but we and disciplined. have a great team around you, but when Passion is your desire to do can strive for those opportunities, so that you are doing the volume and the hard something, but passion is the easy part. sets, you have to realize that your team when they do come, we must be ready.

Without a clear purpose, you will is only there to push you and support If you choose to give up because you. You have to do the work, and you find it difficult to stick to the program, of the things that are outside of your and it makes being disciplined much control, then you will have definite can be stuck in your thoughts.

My husband, Tyrone, knows harder. failure. However, if you can hold on Discipline is about making sacrifices not to argue with me before a swim and stay determined—if you never give practice or to try and discuss anything to ensure you reach your goals. Your too serious just before training. He goals might change, so you have to be up—you will always have the possibility of success. will have forgotten about it by the able to adapt.

This is stronger than hope—this is Purpose is deeper than your goal. time I get out, but I would get out seething or overthinking—not what a As a younger athlete, I only had goals, your will, and no one can take that away swimmer needs! but now as a mature athlete—and by from you! ← SWIMMING WORLD MAGAZINE / 2016 OLYMPIC SPECIAL EDITION

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TOP 9 OLYMPIC UPSETS Who will shock the world of swimming in Rio? Is it someone we can anticipate if we take a deeper look into the backstory of past upsets? The understanding and appreciation of an Olympic upset can enhance our enjoyment of tracking athletes in the years, months and now days leading up to the 2016 Olympics.

Beginning with this issue and running through July 2016—a month before the start of the Olympic swimming events in Rio on Aug. 6—Swimming World Magazine will bring you its top 9 upsets in the individual events in Olympic history—in particular, in the last 50 years. This month:

[PHO TO BY AL SCHO ENFI ELD]

#9

IRON MIKE

Mike Burton holds his gold medal at the press conference in Munich after he became the first swimmer to win the men’s 1500 free at two successive Olympics.

BY CHUCK WARNER

Retirement came much earlier to swimmers in the 1970s than it does today. The girls often hung up their suits after high school and the boys nearly always upon graduating from college. College post-grad swimmers were virtually non-existent in America until the 1990s, and often—especially in the distance races—supplanted from the top of the sport by teenagers who would surge forward as another Olympics neared.

In 1971, a 16-year-old Australian named Graham Windeatt was improving fast, and his time of 16:06.00 in the 1500 meter freestyle put him on the heels of reigning world record holder and Indiana University star John Kinsella, an American. In 1970, Kinsella had swum to a world standard of 15:57.10, and in 1971, posted a world best of 16:03.10. But in the twelve months leading up to the USA Trials, it was 16-year old American Rick DeMont who was making huge improvements in a string of major competitions.

Despite being primed in the NCAA program, Kinsella didn’t make it through the brutally competitive USA Trials to earn a spot on the team. Mike Burton, 25 years

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old and the 1968 Olympic champion in the 400 and 1500 freestyle, also looked like his best years were well behind him. After graduating from UCLA, Burton had married and had begun to work. Consequently, he wasn’t able to train as much as he had in previous years. To add to his challenges, in the spring of 1972, he was diagnosed with a vitamin deficiency.

Mike Burton had met difficulty head on before—literally. When he was 13 years old, he smoked cigarettes, wore black leather steel-toe boots, dangled a chain from his belt and enjoyed playing a little football, basketball and baseball. On one fateful day, his adolescent achievement was expressed by sitting on the handlebars of a friend’s speeding bicycle. They collided with a furniture truck, and the accident changed the course of Burton’s life. His injuries were so severe that his doctors told him the only sport in which he could hope to participate was competitive swimming.

Burton found the Arden Hills Swim Club and Coach Sherm Chavoor. Soon he told the coach, “I want to be the best swimmer in the world.” Coach Chavoor was experimenting with a volume of training never

SWIMMING WORLD MAGAZINE / 2016 OLYMPIC SPECIAL SWIMMING WORLD MAGAZINE / November 2015 EDITION

seen in the USA and, perhaps, around the world, of eight miles a day or more. And in the days before the advent of goggles, Burton accepted the challenges and squinted his way through long training sessions twice each day. He gradually improved, and in 1968, shrugged off abdominal sickness in Mexico City to win Olympic gold medals in the 400 and 1500 meter freestyles at 21 years old.

lane 3 and Windeatt in 4. American Doug Northway was in lane 6. Mike Burton stepped up on the block in lane 5.

The men’s 1500 had been a part of every Olympics since the organizers decided on 1500 meters as the longest swimming event in 1908. No man since has ever won the event twice. However, between 1896 and 1906, the distances varied from 1,000 meters to one mile—about 1,600 meters. Britain’s Henry Taylor won the 1-mile race in 1906 and the 1500 in 1908.

THE HISTORIC RACE Burton immediately sped out to the lead.

A show of foolish pride? A prayer he hoped to be answered? When he turned at 600 meters, Burton held nearly a body length lead over Windeatt. But 300 meters later, it appeared that Burton was tiring. Windeatt turned the tables on him, took control of the race and opened up a commanding lead of 2 meters.

Mike Burton earned the nickname, “Iron Mike,” many times over—as a high school swimmer scratching his way to the top rankings in distance swimming and later on in college at UCLA; and overcoming “Montezuma’s Revenge” at the ’68 Games. When he competed with torn knee ligaments to win the 1970 NCAA title in the 1650, the nickname and his growing legend was firm-

PICTURED > (FAR LEFT) Over the course of his career, Mike Burton (shown here during his college days at UCLA) had lowered the world record in the 1500 meter freestyle five times and by more than one full minute.

[PHOTO BY KEVIN BERRY]

10 minutes—an error by the USA medical team that led to DeMont being disqualified after winning the 400 also resulted in him not being allowed to compete in the 1500 (see “Top 10: Triumphs & Tragedies,”SW May 2014, pages 36-38 online version).

The lanes were reshuffled in the finals with Australians and Americans filling the middle five. The field was set with Australians Graham White in lane 2, Cooper in

screaming, Burton dug deeper and inched closer to Windeatt.

As the pair battled down the Munich Schwimhalle toward the 1,150-meter turn, Iron Mike pulled even. Incredibly, the “Old Man” then began to pull away from Windeatt. Mike Burton not only won the gold medal to become the first swimmer ever to win the event in consecutive Olympics, but he also recaptured his world record, edging past DeMont’s standard by 33-hundredths of a second with a 15:52.58. Over the course of his career, he had lowered the world record five times and by more than one full minute. In a post-race interview, he revealed a bit of his ability to tolerate pain when he explained, “God, that hurt a lot... but it was worth it.”

There was no “home-country” bias in the broadcast by the Australian former swim star, Murray Rose: “Mike Burton has done more for swimming than just about any other person. He has extended the possibilities for everyone by showing how much work can be done in training.”

That was the last race that Mike Burton ever swam. The advent of goggles shortly thereafter began to allow swimmers to train longer without the blurry, sore eyes that characterized Burton’s rise to be the best in the world. And after barely making his country’s team, Iron Mike produced one of PICTURED > (PREVIOUS PAGE) Albert VandeWeghe (a 1990 International Swimming Hall of Fame Honoree) and his sister, Lillian Becker (herself, a champion swimmer) stand by the larger-than-life photo of Mike Burton at the Hall of Fame in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Burton was an ISHOF Honoree in 1977.

[PHOTO BY LYNN JOHNSON]

NOT MUCH HOPE Back in 1972—unlike today—three swimmers from each country were permitted to enter the Games for each event. Even so, Burton’s possibility of making the USA squad looked futile. At the USA Trials, he failed to make the finals of the 200 meter butterfly, finished last in the finals in the 400 freestyle, and on the next-to-last day, he managed to squeeze into the finals of the 1500 freestyle by qualifying eighth. But on the last day of the Trials, the “Old Man” of the USA team finished third to slip onto the team (16:00.31) behind DeMont’s world record of 15:52.91 and 17-year-old Doug Northway’s 15:57.68.

Much of the attention of the press in Munich was on how many gold medals Mark Spitz or Aussie sensation Shane Gould would win. But for those talking about the men’s distance races, the three names most bantered about were all high school students. They were DeMont, Northway, Windeatt and Brad Cooper—who had set the global standard in the 400 freestyle of 4:01.7 at the Australian Trials in January.

In Munich on Sept. 1, DeMont nipped Cooper by 1-hundredth of a second in the 400. Three days later, one of the great tragedies in the history of Olympic swimming took place. Just before the finals of the 1500—which was already delayed by about

PICTURED > (LEFT) When Mike Burton first swam with Sherm Chavoor, the legendary coach was experimenting with a volume of training never seen in the USA and, perhaps, around the world, of eight miles a day or more. And in the days before the advent of goggles, Burton accepted the challenges and squinted his way through long training sessions twice each day.

ly established. But it may have been what happened next in Munich that prompted legendary USA Olympic Coach George Haines to say, “Mike Burton is the toughest man to ever put on a swimsuit.”

When Windeatt reached 1,000 meters, he began to tire. Burton could see through blurred vision that he had a chance and surged forward. Over the next 100 meters, with his heart pounding and muscles

the greatest upsets in Olympic swimming history.  Chuck Warner is a part of Swimming World Magazine’s editorial board and author of “Four Champions: One Gold Medal” and “And Then They Won Gold.” Both books are available for purchase online at www.SwimmingWorld.com.

Next month: “Top 9 Olympic Upsets: #8.”

SWIMMING WORLD MAGAZINE / 2016 OLYMPIC SPECIAL EDITION November 2015 / SWIMMINGWORLDMAGAZINE.COM

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TOP 9 OLYMPIC UPSETS Who will shock the world of swimming in Rio? Is it someone we can anticipate if we take a deeper look into the backstory of past upsets? The understanding and appreciation of an Olympic upset can enhance our enjoyment of tracking athletes in the years, months and now days leading up to the 2016 Olympics.

Beginning with the November issue and running through July 2016—a month before the start of the Olympic swimming events in Rio on Aug. 6—Swimming World Magazine will bring you its top 9 upsets in the individual events in Olympic history—in particular, in the last 50 years. This month:

#8

SYLVIA POLL

BY CHUCK WARNER

S

wimming champions most often sprout from the seeds of talent, a competitive personality and progressive, systematic training that enables the athlete to climb the rungs up the ladder toward the highest-level competition. This is the story of someone who not only overcame the absence of some of these qualities, but also outperformed athletes generated by the height of the sophisticated East German (GDR) doping system.

After the 1976 Olympic Games, when the GDR women routed their competition, winning 11 gold, six silver and one bronze medal, the following two Olympics featured boycotts that diminished the Olympic stage. In 1980, the Americans boycotted the Games held in Moscow, and in 1984, many eastern bloc countries—including the GDR—boycotted the Olympics in Los Angeles.

When the XXIV Olympiad opened in Seoul, Korea in 1988, an ambitious American squad, led by such veterans as 1984 Olympic gold medalist Mary Wayte and young world record holder Janet Evans, arrived ready to race. So did a teenage girl from Costa Rica.

UNLIKELY BEGINNINGS FOR A CHAMPION Finding Costa Rica on a map isn’t easy.

At just 19,000 square miles, the tiny Central American country sits between Nicaragua

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to the north and Panama to the south. In fact, in 1988, there were only 650 registered competitive swimmers in the entire country.

Beyond that, not only had no Costa Rican swimmer ever won an Olympic medal, not a single Costa Rican athlete in any sport had ever stepped on the awards podium at the world’s greatest sporting event.

Sylvia Poll immigrated to Costa Rica when she was 9 years old, when continued political unrest followed by an earthquake convinced her father to leave his job managing a cotton processing plant in Nicaragua and move the family south. Not long after, young Sylvia came to swim under the tutelage of Coach Francisco Rivas.

Initially, Sylvia met the challenges provided by her then-30-year-old coach with tears. He continually challenged Sylvia and her 70 teammates like they’d never been challenged before. And while they trained in a 10-lane, 50-meter pool at the Carirari Country Club and Hotel in Heredia, they did so without the “luxury” of lane lines or

SWIMMING WORLD MAGAZINE / 2016 OLYMPIC SPECIAL SWIMMING WORLD MAGAZINE / December 2015 EDITION

Before Sylvia Poll earned the first Olympic medal in any sport for Costa Rica by placing second in the women’s 200 free at Seoul in 1988, she opened the swimming world’s eyes to her potential at the 1987 Pan American Games when she won eight medals: three gold, three silver, two bronze (as reported here in Swimming World, above, and Sports Illustrated, left).

a gutter system to guide traffic patterns and calm the rough waters.

Rivas read voraciously and traveled internationally to learn as much as he possibly could about coaching and swim training. He encouraged his swimmers to work to be the best in the world. And to provide them with the best opportunity for success, his top swimmers were in the pool very early in the morning before school from 3:45-5:15 and again afterward from 3:30-6:45 p.m.

While the expense limited them, Rivas’ top swimmers attempted to travel to search out high-level competition. By 1986, Sylvia had established herself as the best swimmer in her region when in January, as a 15-year-old, she set Central American Games records in the 200 and 400 meter freestyles (2:02.80, 4:17.98) and both back-

[PHOTO PROVIDED BY ITU PICTURES]

the second half. Was Sylvia Poll going to via’s 18th birthday. The field included East stroke events (1:04.43, 2:19.32). However, be able to swim the second half downhill?

Germans Heidi Friedrich and Manuela she still had quite a bit to improve to be in Even if she did, would it be good enough?

Stellmach, plus Americans Mary Wayte the discussion for an Olympic medal in any On the third length, Sylvia accelerated. and Mitzi Kremer. All four qualified for the event.

First, she passed Trefilova, then Stellmach, finals, with Friedrich first in 1:59.02 and At the Pan American Games in August then Wayte. Finally, she inched closer to Wayte third in 1:59.50. Second in the early 1987, Sylvia, now 16, opened the swimMitzi Kremer, who dropped to second at the morning session was Poll, swimming a perming world’s eyes to her potential when 150 behind Friedrich (1:28.38 to the East sonal best time of 1:59.22. she won won eight medals: three gold, three German’s 1:28.03). Poll turned third, silver, two bronze. It was at that just 8-hundredths behind the early meet, held in Indianapolis, where leader. she turned in a bevy of impressive People across Costa Rica stood times, including 56.10 in the 100 and cheered at the electronic image free, 2:00.02 in the 200 free and stroking down the pool on their tele1:01.86 in the 100 back. Her perforvision sets. mances were broadcast by radio to Kremer faded, Stellmach chased an eager audience back home. The and Friedrich soared down the last parade and celebration that greeted length, but Sylvia Poll raced them her return overshadowed even Costa to the finish. That day, she stopped Rican President Arias Sanchez’s Nothe clock at 1:58.67, placing second bel Peace Prize Award celebration between the two East Germans— two months later...because for the Friedrich (1:57.65) and Stellmach first time, Costa Rica had a bona fide (1:59.01)—and earning the first sports hero!

Olympic medal in any sport for CosUp to that point, the improveta Rica. By all rights, Sylvia was the ment shown by the 6-2 blonde was real gold medalist in ’88, knowing stunning, but her true test would now that the East German women come the following year in Seoul were doped. when she would be facing all of the During the awards ceremony, the best swimmers in the world. Her Sylvia Poll, serving as Ambassador, Deputy Permanent RepresentaCosta Rican anthem wasn’t played, stiffest competition likely would tive of the Permanent Mission of Costa Rica to the United Nations and its flag rose just beneath one come from the victims of East GerOffice in Geneva and other international organizations in Switzerland, is shown here in 2013 at a briefing on the Global Youth GDR flag and beside another. But many’s State Plan 14.25 (as it was Summit, which was held in Costa Rica. a proud Sylvia Poll stood on the officially known), which remained podium and waved with dignity as fully underground at this point in though she expected to be there. history. In another year, the GDR She became such a hero in her country The Olympics are in some respects “just system of doping would collapse into public that her name remains recognizable even another swim meet” because what is critihorror. The challenge for Olympic medals today as you walk down almost any street cal to any swimmer’s success is maintainin women’s swimming in Seoul was dauntin Costa Rica. And it’s not only because ing one’s competitive calm and performing ing for anyone, especially those outside of of what she achieved, but also how she in his or her optimium emotional zone. The the traditional powerhouse swimming naachieved it. difference at the Olympics tends to be the tions.

Sylvia sat through her post-race interstaggering numbers: nearly 8,500 athletes views, speaking calmly and fluently in three from 159 nations competed in Seoul; 11,331 SYLVIA’S OLYMPIC EXPERIENCE languages. When asked about her future, media were on hand to cover the 263 events On the first day at the Olympics, the she spoke about making a difference bein 23 sports; the Olympic Swimming Pool GDR’s Kristin Otto ran away with the 100 yond the pool and over many years to come. seated 10,000; and then, of course, there free in 54.93. America’s top finisher was Today, she works in international relations were millions of people watching worldDara Torres, who placed seventh (56.25). at the United Nations and is a member of wide on TV! Quietly finishing fifth was Sylvia Poll “Champions of Peace.”

While a medal for Sylvia Poll would (55.90), who was disappointed and noted Sylvia Poll is living proof that an Olymmake her a folk hero in Costa Rica, her first that her goggles had slipped on the start, pic medalist can come from anywhere in task was to keep her poise if she wanted to which ruined her concentration. the world, including places with some of succeed.

Coach Rivas believed in the power of the most unusual conditions and circumIn the finals (scheduled at noon to acthe mind and prided himself in telling his stances.  commodate American TV), the USA’s swimmers that they would not only go afMitzi Kremer took command in the first ter beating Americans, but would also aim 100, splitting 57.89. Trailing, in order, were to swim faster than anyone in the world. So Chuck Warner is a part of Swimming Wayte (58.43), Friedrich (58.50), Stellat the 1988 Olympic Games, Rivas’ squad World Magazine’s editorial board and mach (58.60) and Natalia Trefilova (URS) regularly pounded on the door to the pool author of “Four Champions: One Gold (58.61). Poll turned in sixth with a split of at 5:30 a.m.—the first swimmers there— Medal” and “And Then They Won Gold.”

58.78. making a statement that they were eager to Both books are available for purchase Some people look at the strategy for perform. online at www.SwimmingWorld.com. swimming the 200 freestyle as “going up The 200 free was held on the second Next month: “Top 9 Olympic Upsets: #7.” the hill” the first half and “downhill” on day, Sept. 21—just three days before SylSWIMMING WORLD MAGAZINE / 2016 OLYMPIC SPECIAL EDITION December 2015 / SWIMMINGWORLDMAGAZINE.COM

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TOP 9 OLYMPIC UPSETS Who will shock the world of swimming in Rio? Is it someone we can anticipate if we take a deeper look into the backstory of past upsets? The understanding and appreciation of an Olympic upset can enhance our enjoyment of tracking athletes in the years, months and now days leading up to the 2016 Olympics.

Beginning with the November 2015 issue and running through July 2016—a month before the start of the Olympic swimming events in Rio on Aug. 6—Swimming World Magazine will bring you its top 9 upsets in the individual events in Olympic history—in particular, in the last 50 years. This month:

#7

[PHOTO PROVIDED BY UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA MEDIA RELATIONS]

ANTHONY NESTY

BEATS THE GREAT ONE! IN

the 1970s, there was Mark Spitz. In the 2000s and beyond, there was and is Michael Phelps. But in between—in the mid-to-late 1980s—the best male swimmer in the world was Matt Biondi.

Leading into the 1988 Olympics, Biondi had broken long course world records seven times in the 50 (3) and 100 free (4). Those performances, coupled with his presence on three strong American relays, presented Biondi with the very real possibility of winning seven gold medals in Seoul.

Biondi stood 6-6. He was handsome, articulate and grounded, and he moved with the efficiency of speed through water that could take your breath away. Coach Stu Kahn initially helped him engineer his technique when Matt was an age-group swimmer; in college, he refined that technique under the tutelage of Coach Nort Thornton at Cal; thereafter, he continually honed his skill as a result of his high personal penchant for detail, organization and excellence.

And in lane five, with 25 meters remaining in the 100 meter butterfly finals at the Seoul Olympics, Matt Biondi’s grace and

2014

power had not only propelled him into the lead by nearly one-half body length, but he was also well within reach of Pablo Morales’ two-year-old world record (52.84).

To most spectators and competitors, the race for the gold medal seemed over...but not to Anthony Nesty.

Swimming over in lane three, the 20-year-old from Suriname was charging toward the finish.

COMING OUT OF NOWHERE Suriname? Yes, it’s a tiny country of about 560,000 people on the northeastern shore of South America. To the south lies Brazil; to the west, Guyana; and to the east, French Guiana. Suriname is about the size of the state of Georgia, and in 1988, there were only ten 25-meter pools and one sixlane, 50-meter pool in the entire country.

Nonetheless, at the age of 16, Nesty placed 21st in the 100 meter butterfly at the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles with a time of 56.15. With the support of his home coach, Kenneth McDonald, his parents contacted the Bolles School in Jacksonville, Fla., and

SWIMMING WORLD MAGAZINE / 2016 OLYMPIC2016 SPECIAL EDITION SWIMMING WORLD MAGAZINE / January

BY CHUCK WARNER

Matt Biondi was below world record pace at the 50 of the 100 meter fly at Seoul, but that didn’t concern Anthony Nesty (above), who turned in fifth a half-second behind. “I knew there were a few guys in the field who would take it out fast, but I’m not one of them,” he said. “I just sit back and have a pretty good second 50 (27.98 to Biondi’s 28.48).”

he enrolled in August of 1984 as a high school sophomore.

Like many swimmers, Anthony went through periods of time as an age grouper when he loved the sport and periods when he didn’t. At 14, a nudge from his dad helped him stay in the sport. When he moved from the relatively underdeveloped country of Suriname to the modern conveniences in the USA, he might have been distracted from applying himself in the pool.

But the self-effacing and humble young man recognized the huge opportunity he was given in coming to the United States, and he was determined to capitalize on his parents’ investment in his future.

The Bolles coach at that time was Gregg Troy, who, in 2012, would become the head coach of the U.S. Olympic men’s swim team. Coach Troy has a demanding style of training swimmers that includes a rather fearless approach to training and performance progressions. The coach and swimmer had set their sights on breaking Pablo Morales’ high school record in the 100 yard fly (48.06 from 1983) and competing for a medal at the Seoul Olympics.

Most swimmers adapt gradually to the workload the Bolles athletes undertook, but Nesty adjusted relatively quickly. By November 1985, as a junior, he had clocked the fastest high school time in the 100 yard butterfly (49.04) and eventually ended the 1985-86 season with the No. 2 time behind Mark Fiorito of Redwood, Calif. (48.49).

In his senior year at the Florida High School Championships, his poor start in the 50 free landed him in a disappointing third place. What followed was a continual warm-down before the 100 fly in which he lowered then world record holder Morales’ national high school standard to 47.60. His first remarks to Coach Troy after the landmark butterfly performance says a lot about Anthony Nesty: “Sorry I didn’t win the 50.”

The following summer (1987), Nesty swam the 100 meters in 53.89 to win the Pan American Games and seemed to be in a great position for the Olympic year as he entered Randy Reese’s program at the University of Florida.

Unfortunately, the college rigors kept Anthony out of intercollegiate competition during his freshman season—therefore, he missed the chance to develop his racing skills at the 1988 NCAA Championships.

He also didn’t perform at that year’s USA indoor nationals in late March—where Biondi finished third in 53.65, just behind Great Britain’s Andy Jameson (53.57) and Pablo Morales (53.62).

Finally in June, Nesty did appear in a major competition in the USA: the Pepsi Open in Charlotte, N.C. (today’s Arena Pro Swim Series at Charlotte), where he won the 100 fly in 55.44 and placed second in the 200 in 2:03.79 while in the midst of heavy training.

OLYMPICS Before the Games in Seoul came to a close, Matt Biondi would earn seven medals, five of them gold. The speed he exhibited was beyond anything the world had previously seen in a swimming pool. He swam the fastest 200 meter freestyle relay leg in the 800 free relay to that point in history (1:46.44) to bring the USA from behind

for a world record-setting victory. He was a part of world records in the 400 free relay (splitting 47.81) and the 400 medley relay (notching a 52.38 butterfly leg), and he beat arch rival Tom Jager in the 50 free with a world record (22.14) as well. And his 100 freestyle gold medal swim of 48.63 established an Olympic record.

But shortly after the 100 fly, Biondi would say, “Watching the tape of the race makes me sick to my stomach.”

STOPPING THE CLOCK Despite his rocky first year of college, Nesty went to Seoul with high expectations, thinking he could swim faster than Morales’ world record. His 53.50 in the preliminaries qualified him third for the finals. Coach Troy pointed out that his first 50 had been a bit slow, as was his turn. He advised Nesty, “Be faster on the first length without trying to be faster.” In other words, perform a quicker start and turn, but—as Troy had coached him for years—build toward the second length and accelerate to the finish.

That night in finals, Biondi turned in 24.53 at the 50—ahead of Morales’ world record pace (24.59)—and leaving Nesty a half-second behind in fifth place. With 15 meters remaining, the American owned a commanding lead. But Matt Biondi took two breaths in his last three strokes, and more problematically, judged that he was too close to the wall to take an additional stroke and, therefore, lunged, reached and kicked to the wall.

Meanwhile, Nesty put his head down on his last five strokes and landed his hands on the touchpad perfectly, gaining the lead for the first time in the last eighth of an inch of the race. Nesty turned off the clock at 53.00, with Matt Biondi touching in 53.01.

HUMBLE HERO For the first time in history, the country of Suriname had an Olympic medal winner—and it was gold. Nesty’s homeland exploded with adulation. While most swimmers waved to the Olympic swimming venue crowd walking up to the awards podium, Anthony Nesty looked into the TV camera in front of him, waved and said, “Hi, Mom.” Upon Nesty’s return to Suriname, he was driven through the streets in a governmentsupplied motorcade. Upon reaching his final destination, Nesty was showered with money. Anthony had achieved such an enormous breakthrough for Afro-Caribbeans that he had instantly become a national hero. Suriname placed his image on a bank note as well as on gold and silver coins. The indoor stadium in Paramaribo was renamed for

him, and Suriname Airlines named a plane for him.

Anthony Nesty’s performance proved to be more than just one of Swimming World’s top nine Olympic upsets. In 1990, Nesty won gold in the Goodwill Games and won again at the World Championships in 1991.

In 1992, he finished third in the Barcelona Olympics.

[PHOTO BY TONY DUFFY]

After beating Matt Biondi by 1-hundredth of a second in the 100 fly at Seoul, Anthony Nesty reacted with a fist pump. For the first time in history, the country of Suriname had an Olympic medal winner—and it was gold. While most swimmers waved to the Olympic swimming venue crowd walking up to the awards podium, Nesty looked into the TV camera in front of him, waved and said, “Hi, Mom.”

Today, Anthony Nesty is the respected associate head coach at the University of Florida. He assists Coach Troy, helping new generations of young swimmers realize their dreams.

Author’s Note: Twenty years after the Nesty-Biondi 1-hundredth finish in the 100 butterfly in Seoul, there was another one in Beijing when Michael Phelps famously outtouched Milorad Cavic, also by 1-hundredth of a second. Cavic, like Biondi, swam collegiately at Cal. At the 1988 ASCA World Clinic, Coach Thornton quipped that Matt took the week off when the team worked on butterfly finishes.  Chuck Warner is a part of Swimming World Magazine’s editorial board and author of “Four Champions: One Gold Medal” and “And Then They Won Gold.”

Both books are available for purchase online at www.SwimmingWorld.com.

Next month: “Top 9 Olympic Upsets: #6.”

SWIMMING WORLD MAGAZINE / 2016 OLYMPIC SPECIAL EDITION January 2016 / SWIMMINGWORLDMAGAZINE.COM

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TOP 9 OLYMPIC UPSETS Who will shock the world of swimming in Rio? Is it someone we can anticipate if we take a deeper look into the backstory of past upsets?

The understanding and appreciation of an Olympic upset can enhance our enjoyment of tracking athletes in the years, months and now days leading up to the 2016 Olympics.

Beginning with the November 2015 issue and running through July 2016—a month before the start of the Olympic swimming events in Rio on Aug. 6—Swimming World Magazine will bring you its top 9 upsets in the individual events in Olympic history— with an emphasis on the last 50 years.

This month:

#6 LEDECKY SHOCKS

ADLINGTON & THE WORLD!

BY CHUCK WARNER 2216

SWIMMING WORLD MAGAZINE / 2016 OLYMPIC 2016 SPECIAL EDITION SWIMMING WORLD MAGAZINE / February

In Swimming World’s coverage of the London Olympics (SW Oct, page 24), the magazine wrote the following cutline for this photo of Katie Ledecky: “The women’s 800 free was supposed to be defending champion and world record holder Rebecca Adlington’s chance to thrill the home crowd. Instead, American Katie Ledecky, 15, won in 8:14.63, taking down the oldest textile best on the books by beating the 8:16.22 that Janet Evans registered back in 1989— eight years before Ledecky was even born.”

[PHOTO BY ROB SCHUMACHER, USA TODAY SPORTS]

T

Swimming World ran the following photo in its special digital bonus he roar of 18,000 standing, passionate fans greeted Rebecca issue of the 2012 Olympics. Rebecca Adlington (left) became the first Adlington as she emerged through the doorway onto the deck Brit since 1960 to win an Olympic swimming gold medal, winning of the London Aquatics Center. A thunderous reverberation urging both the 400 and 800 freestyles four years earlier in Beijing. But in her onward to another Olympic gold medal seemed to send her into London, American Katie Ledecky’s 800 freestyle victory became one of the greatest upsets in Olympic history. a “skip” toward Lane 4, her position as the top qualifier at the 2012 Olympic finals of the 800 freestyle.

Four years earlier in 2008, Rebecca became the first Brit since 1960 to win an Olympic swimming [PHOTO BY ROB SCHUMACHER, gold medal when she came from behind in the USA TODAY SPORTS] last 20 meters of the 400 meter freestyle to overtake American Katie Hoff. Then five days later, she buried the 800 freestyle field by at least six seconds (8:14.10), breaking Janet Evans’ world record—a record that had stood for 19 years.

Following those 2008 Beijing Games, Rebecca Adlington was chosen England’s Sports Journalists’ Association’s Sportswoman of the Year. She also finished third in the voting for the BBC’s Sports Personality of the Year award, and she was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2009 New Year Honors.

At the 2011 World Championships, Rebecca reaffirmed her place at the top of the sport when, once again, she came from behind and edged Denmark’s Lotte Friis (8:17.51 to 8:18.20) for the 800 gold medal. The stage was set for the 2012 London Olympics where, in front of a boisterous home crowd that—in at least some part—came to the venue in a 140-mph high-speed train named after her. Headed into the London Games, she was poised to solidify herself as the most accomplished Olympic athlete in British history.

STEPPING STONES While Adlington was winning those two gold medals in Beijing, there were thousands of age groupers around the world dreaming of and working toward attaining Rebecca’s type of success.

One such age grouper was a talented 11-year-old girl in Bethesda, Md., who possessed an extraordinary personal foundation, opportunity and work ethic.

Katie Ledecky possessed two critical underpinnings: technical skill and both a respect for—and enjoyment of—hard work. One of the methods that Ledecky cites for her success was introduced by her age group coach, Carolyn Croucher, who would ask the then 10-year-old to write her own training set and then perform it successfully.

The Curl-Burke Swim Club, located around Washington, D.C., was where Katie Ledecky was progressing to evermore challenging training groups. She also acquired a new coach, Yuri Suguiyama, who studied videos of Michael Phelps, which led to some important modifications of her stroke technique.

“We would do sets of 125s, holding 14 strokes a length,” Ledecky said recently. Gradually, Coach Suguiyama either increased the quantity or decreased the rest or asked for faster times. “That set really taught me how to kick harder and lengthen my stroke,” recalled Ledecky.

Each year, Yuri added an additional practice so that by 2011, Katie was training eight times per week. By August of 2011, she had qualified for the Olympic Trials and won both the 400 freestyle (4:10.39) and 800 freestyle (8:36.05) at the USA Junior Nationals.

In September, she entered ninth grade with a ninth training session a week planned for the Olympic year.

When Coach Suguiyma and Katie met at a restaurant for their annual pre-season goal discussion, he wasn’t audacious enough to suggest that in 11 months, she could compete—and defeat—Rebecca Adlington, who at the time was more than 20 seconds faster in the 800 freestyle. But at the conclusion of their discussion, the coach did ask her one critical question: “What would be the ultimate goal for this year?” Katie thought before reluctantly uttering the words, “Make the Olympic team?” Yuri asked her to say it again just to be certain she digested the thought. Slowly she said, “Make the Olympic team.”

They set off to train, race, have fun—and never spoke of that goal again.

There would be many hurdles to clear before she could achieve her barely audible goal. A case of walking pneumonia kept her out of the USA Winter Nationals in December of 2011. However, by February, she was performing very well, swimming her best times at the Missouri Grand Prix Meet. At the Charlotte Ultra Swim in May, she swam faster still, and her 800 time of 8:25.81 was good enough to win over a very strong field.

— on 24 —continued continued on 18

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[PHOTO BY PETER H. BICK]

from 23 17 OLYMPIC UPSETS —continued continued from

In June, a confident Ledecky arrived at the Olympic Trials in Omaha supported by a special weapon: a large, tight-knit family that wouldn’t allow her to “lose.” Into the Quest Center poured the Ledecky contingent consisting of Mom, Dad, her brother and 15 cousins, aunts and uncles—all with a mindset to love Katie regardless of the results in the pool.

OLYMPIC TRIALS Although Katie began the Trials swimming well, her first two events led only to disappointment. On the second day, Chloe Sutton jumped ahead of Ledecky on the fourth 50 of the 400 and held on to earn the second Olympic team berth, with Allison Schmitt winning the race in 4:02.84 to Sutton’s 4:04.18. Ledecky finished third in 4:05.00.

Though both swimmer and coach left the Quest Center disappointed, Coach Suguiyama emphasized that Katie had swum her best time and bettered Janet Evans’ national age group record. The next morning, Katie arrived at the pool with a smile on her face, and the coach mirrored it. But she finished ninth in the semifinals of the 200 freestyle, 2-hundredths of a second behind the last qualifier, just missing the chance to compete for a spot on the 4 x 200 free relay team.

Three days later, Katie qualified second (8:28.99) in the preliminaries of the 800, a second behind Kate Ziegler (8:27.91). But in the finals, Katie immediately took command and split a stunning 4:08.45 at the 400—already 2-1/2 seconds ahead of the field. Katie finished the race strongly, with her 8:19.78—a U.S. Trials record— vaulting her up to the No. 2 spot in the world rankings that year.

But the fastest swimmer was still Rebecca Adlington, who had already swum three sub-8:20 800s in 2012.

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Here’s how Katie Ledecky reacted after she touched first in the women’s 800 free at the U.S. Olympic Trials in Omaha to qualify for her first U.S. Olympic team. At 15, she was the team’s youngest member by two years. And when she eventually won the 800 free in London, she became history’s youngest Olympic champion in the event and the second youngest American woman (15 years, 139 days) to win an individual gold medal, behind Beth Botsford (15 years, 62 days) when she won the 100 back in 1996.

TRAINING CAMP AND A BEGINNER’S MIND While some swimmers made final preparations for the Olympics, knowing these Games were going to be a career-changing or careerending swimming experience, for Katie Ledecky, it was just another swim meet. It was her first trip as a member of the USA national team, and, at 15, she was the team’s youngest member by two years.

When she was assigned to the endurance training group headed by veteran coach, Jon Urbanchek, she found herself swimming in what was easily the fastest training group in her life. Coach Suguiyama had only one request to make of Coach Urbanchek: “Make sure she maintains a tempo of 1.4 (seconds) per stroke cycle.”

Urbanchek’s approach to optimizing the four- to five-week training window between the Trials and the Games was to immediately provide training at about 75 percent of the total volume of what an athlete was accustomed to swimming. His mix of endurance and speed work had long been mapped out with colored charts of times that directed a balanced energy distribution over a week’s time, ultimately culminating in each athlete achieving his or her goals.

Early in the camp, the group swam a set of 200s, for which Urbanchek’s charts indicated Katie should average about 2:14. She swam 2:06s. Tired and sore the next day, she paid dearly for her youthful exuberance. However, she quickly recognized that balancing her effort over several days of training was a more effective approach than going all out on the first day, but not being able to sustain that pace during subsequent days of training.

Head women’s coach Teri McKeever masterfully orchestrated an environment of joy and the strengthening of personal relationships within the team. About halfway between Trials and the beginning of the Olympics, the U.S. team moved its operation to France. There, Katie and the other rookies on the team re-enacted a longtime U.S. national team tradition: the Talent Show, in which each of the firsttimers showcased his or her “talent.” The team’s warm reception and frequent compliments about her performance in the Talent Show went a long way to increasing Katie’s comfort level.

At the pool, an Urbanchek favorite set of 100s has the swimmers alternate a fast 100 with an easy one; then two fast 100s followed by an easy one; then, three fast and one easy; and so on, with the fast swims targeting race pace. Katie was swimming 1:02s and 1:01s for her fast 100s, which put her right on the heels of teammates Andrew Gemmell and Tyler Clary, leading them to joke to Coach Urbanchek, “Jon, could you please move her to another lane?”

As the countdown to the 800 free continued, Coach Urbanchek began encouraging Katie to be less aggressive at the start of her race. Then he caught himself: “I realized I just needed to get out of her way.”

OLYMPICS Katie was nervous in the prelims of the Olympic 800 free, but she managed to swim 8:23.84, the third fastest time. Coach Suguiyama explained to her that she would be in Lane 3 in the finals.

After she was introduced for the finals, he further explained that the next swimmer to be introduced would be Rebecca Adlington—the defending Olympic champion, world record holder and darling of the boisterous, British crowd. He told Katie: “Just take all the energy from that noise and put it into your lane.”

The Americans had been on fire all week, and the finals on Day 7 of Olympic swimming began with Missy Franklin’s world record swim in the 200 backstroke, followed by Michael Phelps’ gold medal in the 100 fly. When Michael passed Katie in the ready room, he gave her a high-five and said, “Go have fun out there.”

After Katie was introduced, the roar began for Rebecca Adlington. But Katie was prepared for it. Equally important was what she felt inside herself. Thoroughly trained, she could race with freedom, knowing what mattered most to her—being an adored member of the Ledecky family—was not at risk.

She said later, “I just wanted to go.” And she did.

Katie was not the only swimmer who had decided her best chance for gold would mean she had to set a very fast pace. So it was not surprising that Denmark’s Lotte Friis, the second qualifier, bolted to the lead, followed closely by Ledecky and Adlington.

In the second 100 meters, Ledecky moved ahead of her Euro challengers. Executing long strokes, excellent rhythm and a stroke rate of 1.4 seconds per cycle—just like her training sets of 125s— Katie hit the wall in 1:59.95, 1.3 seconds ahead of Adlington’s world record pace.

Katie moved out to more than a body length lead over Rebecca at the 400, swimming her best 400 time ever of 4:04.34. She was now 1.5 seconds ahead of world record pace. On each breath, she heard the crowd beseeching Adlington to catch her rivals, shouting, “Becky, Becky, Becky.” But nothing could break her rhythm until she “woke up.”

As Katie completed 600 meters, she felt like she had awoken from a dream: “I’m at the Olympics! I have 200 meters remaining, and I need to finish this race!”

With British royalty in attendance, Katie strengthened her kick, quickly increasing her lead to two body lengths, and raced toward the finish. The possibility of becoming history’s youngest Olympic champion in the longest women’s Olympic swimming pool event

had become reality.

Katie touched in 8:14.63, the event’s second fastest time ever.

She turned to the scoreboard, smiling from ear to ear as she spotted the number, “1,” next to her name. “Oh my gosh,” she exclaimed.

Finishing second was Spain’s Mireia Belmonte Garcia (8:18.76), with Rebecca Adlington third (8:20.32).

Katie Ledecky had shot to the top of the world by outswimming Adlington in front of the Brit’s home crowd. It was one of the greatest upsets in Olympic history.

Katie was the youngest member of the entire contingent of 530 USA athletes at the 2012 Olympic Games. A few years later, she revealed a secret to her youthful milestone: “I never envisioned anything but winning a gold medal.”

Authors Note: As we’ve seen from her development and her performances since, Katie Ledecky has earned her extraordinary achievements...and recognition as the greatest female swimmer in the world in 2015 by virtue of her unprecedented sweep of the 200, 400, 800 and 1500 meter freestyles at the World Championships. On Sunday, Dec. 12, 2015, Katie Ledecky became the first woman to break the 9-minute barrier in the 1000-yard freestyle, bettering the American record by more than 10 seconds.  Chuck Warner is a part of Swimming World Magazine’s editorial board and author of “Four Champions: One Gold Medal” and “And Then They Won Gold.” Both books are available for purchase online at www.SwimmingWorld.com.

Next month: “Top 9 Olympic Upsets: #5.”

吀栀攀 伀刀䤀䜀䤀一䄀䰀 刀攀猀椀猀琀愀渀挀攀 䜀伀䰀䐀 䴀䔀䐀䄀䰀 倀䔀刀䘀伀刀䴀䄀一䌀䔀 匀圀䤀䴀 吀刀䄀䤀一䤀一䜀 䜀䔀䄀刀 匀吀䄀刀吀匀 圀䤀吀䠀 唀猀攀搀 戀礀 䄀琀栀氀攀琀攀猀 圀漀爀氀搀眀椀搀攀 刀䔀匀䤀匀吀䄀一䌀䔀 吀刀䄀䤀一䤀一䜀 䨀漀椀渀 唀猀 愀琀 琀栀攀 䄀匀䌀䄀 ㈀ ㄀㘀 圀漀爀氀搀 䌀氀椀渀椀挀 匀攀瀀琀⸀ 㘀ⴀ㄀㄀

唀猀攀搀 戀礀 匀眀椀洀洀攀爀猀 圀漀爀氀搀眀椀搀攀

一娀䌀漀爀搀稀⸀挀漀洀 一娀䌀漀爀搀稀⸀挀漀洀 簀㠀 ⸀㠀㠀㘀⸀㘀㘀㈀㄀ 㠀 ⸀㠀㠀㘀⸀㘀㘀㈀㄀ SWIMMING WORLD MAGAZINE / 2016 OLYMPIC SPECIAL EDITION February 2016 / SWIMMINGWORLDMAGAZINE.COM

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TOP 9 OLYMPIC UPSETS Who will shock the world of swimming in Rio? Is it someone we can anticipate if we take a deeper look into the backstory of past upsets?

The understanding and appreciation of an Olympic upset can enhance our enjoyment of tracking athletes in the years, months and now days leading up to the 2016 Olympics.

Beginning with the November 2015 issue and running through July 2016—a month before the start of the Olympic swimming events in Rio on Aug. 6—Swimming World Magazine will bring you its top 9 upsets in the individual events in Olympic history—with an emphasis on the last 50 years.

This month:

#5

Doug Russell touches the wall first in the 100 meter butterfly to upset Mark Spitz at the 1968 Olympics.

Russell’s gold medal in Mexico City remained the sole occasion he had ever beaten Spitz in a 100 butterfly race!

DOUG RUSSELL: THE FIRST TEXAN

BY CHUCK WARNER

O

lympic gold medal milestones are marked by swimmers with names such as Schollander, Spitz and Phelps. After Don Schollander won four Olympic gold medals at Tokyo in 1964— at the time, the most gold medals ever won in a single Olympic Games—Mark Spitz chased that record.

In 1967, as just a high school junior, Spitz was the world’s best male swimmer. By the start of the 1968 Olympic Trials, the phenom had broken world records seven times in the 400 freestyle, 100 butterfly and 200 butterfly. With the high probability of the USA winning three Olympic relays, the sport’s most exciting question was: “Could Mark Spitz win five or even six gold medals at the 1968 Mexico City Olympic Games?”

SWIMMING IN TEXAS? In the 1960s, swimmers from the East and West Coast pretty much dominated USA international team rosters. Texas was best known for the Alamo. But in the 1950s in Midland, Texas, there was a boy named Doug Russell who would begin to change that.

At 10 years old, Doug became one of the fastest sprinters in the nation for his age group. But by his junior year of high school, he had become primarily a basketball player.

When Doug thought about college, he realized that if he was going to find out how good an athlete he could be, he needed to be in an individual sport. So he wrote a letter to Coach Don Easterling at the University of Texas at Arlington—an NCAA Division II school— and received a Letter of Intent in the mail from the coach, with a note: “Practice starts on June 4 at 7 a.m. Be on time.”

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In those days, a DII swimmer competed at his unique championships to try and earn entrance onward to Division I. By Russell’s junior year, he was one of the best swimmers in the country, and his team competed at the 1968 DI Championships, where UTA finished seventh! Russell not only won the 100 yard fly, but was a member of the Mavericks’ winning 400 medley relay.

1968 OLYMPIC TRIALS Luis Nicolao’s (Argentina) 100 butterfly world record of 57.0 (427-62) had stood for five years, but on July 9, 1967 at Santa Clara, Calif., Mark Spitz demolished it with a 56.3. Three weeks later at the Pan American Games in Winnipeg, Spitz lowered it to 56.29.

Spitz had beaten Russell head-to-head at the U.S. nationals that summer, but Russell tied Mark’s 56.3 WR at a meet in Tokyo in late August. Mark also went 56.3 at London in late September, and improved the global standard again on Oct. 7, 1967—this time in Berlin—with a 55.68 (55.7).

Spitz and Russell had left the rest of the world more than a second behind as they pioneered a new frontier of speed.

However, Doug was privately frustrated. Mark was constantly finding a way to run him down when they raced or chased the world record. Equally bothersome was that while a swimmer such as Don Schollander would provide Doug an occasional kind word or pat on the back, he didn’t feel that Mark Spitz ever showed him any respect.

In the preliminaries of the Olympic Trials in August of 1968, Russell qualified first (55.99) with Spitz close behind (56.43). In the

[PHOTO BY SWIMMING WORLD MAGAZINE]

finals, Mark passed him in the last three meters to win and set yet another world record of 55.60.

Swimming World reported the race at the time as “one of the most spectacular finishes in the history of swimming.” And Doug Russell seemed doomed to his own vision: “I wish I wasn’t a 97-meter butterflyer.”

On the Sunday prior to leaving the four-week training camp, Doug Russell swam a dive set of 4 x 100 butterfly, leaving on 8 minutes. Each one was 56. He was in the best shape of his life.

MEXICO CITY OLYMPICS The 100 butterfly finals were on the fifth day in Mexico City.

Mark Spitz had already won two relay gold medals and a bronze (100 freestyle). If he could win the 100 butterfly, he would most assuredly win a gold medal on the USA 400 medley relay. (At that OLYMPIC TRAINING CAMP time, only those swimming in the finals of relays were awarded a Training under Coach Easterling meant a medal.) That would tie Schollander’s standard of four gold medals no-compromising, hard-working regime. Howas the most in an Olympics. If Mark could win the 200 butterfly—an ever, George Haines, the head men’s Olympic event in which he held the world record—he would own a record of coach—and Spitz’s club coach—saw the natural five gold medals. speed in Russell and wanted to protect it. When Doug Russell was stubborn, perhaps to a fault. He liked to simply the team went to the Air Force Academy for go out fast and hope to hang on. Coach Gambril suggested a new training on Sept. 7, 1968, George assigned Doug race strategy: “You can be just as fast as everyone else on the first to the “sprint group.” Even though Haines’ 50, without working as hard as everyone else on the first 50.” In both coaching resumé included helping 16 swimmers the preliminaries and semifinals, with Mark waiting and watching onto the ’68 team, Russell didn’t agree with his behind Lane 4 for the following heat, Russell sprinted to the lead plan. and held on.

A few days had passed, and Russell unsucIn the finals, Russell swam in Lane 4 and Spitz in 5. Doug miscessfully continued to lobby Coach Haines. Fijudged his breakout from his start, and his arms caught the surface. nally Doug went back to the dorm, packed his He noticed, however, how strong he felt and made an immediate bags and went to George’s room. “I’m leaving,” strategic adjustment: “Just swim with these guys,” he thought. At the he said. “If you won’t let me train the way I need 50 turn, Spitz was timed in 26.1; Russell, 26.5. to, there is no reason for me to be here.” AsWith 25 meters remaining, American teammate Ross Wales, Spitz sistant Coach Don Gambril joined the conversaand Russell were crushing the field and swimming in synchronized tion, and everyone agreed that Doug could try strokes. Doug had so much energy in reserve, he knew he had the race won. “What should I do when I touch the [PHOTO BY SWIMMING WORLD MAGAZINE] wall?” he thought to himself. “Maybe I should jump out quickly as though I was waiting for Mark.” Or, “Maybe I should turn and continue like it was a 200?”

Doug Russell pulled away, and—for the first and only time in his life—he hit the wall still accelerating, winning in 55.9 to Spitz’s 56.4. He leaped upward in the water and fired a “No. 1” sign into the air in the direction of Coach Easterling. He climbed from the pool, knelt by the block, and he folded his hands as if in prayer.

“They say that when you’re about to die, your entire life flashes before your eyes,” Russell said recently.

“When you win an Olympic gold medal, the same thing happens. All the people who had helped me get there “They say that when you’re about to die, your entire life flashes before your raced through my mind: my mom, my grandmother, eyes. When you win an Olympic gold medal, the same thing happens. All the Coach Easterling and Coach Gambril.” people who had helped me get there raced through my mind: my mom, my And he also realized that in 55.9 seconds, he had a grandmother, Coach (Don) Easterling and Coach (Don) Gambril.” put a target as an Olympic gold medalist on his back. He knew that people would be alert to how he treated them — Doug Russell, first-ever Olympic gold medal winner in the men’s 100 meter butterfly and would want to beat him in the next race.

Mark Spitz and Doug Russell raced again at the 1969 NCAA Championships. Doug led for 95 yards. Afterward, Russell’s the middle distance group. If he became too tired, they would move gold medal in Mexico City remained the sole occasion he had ever him back with the sprinters. beaten Mark Spitz in a 100 butterfly race. And that is one reason this Each day at practice, Doug trained in a lane with Carl Robie and “first Texan’s” feat is one of the greatest upsets in Olympic swimKen Walsh—and in the lane right next to Spitz. If Mark swam third ming history.  in the lane, Doug chose to swim third. If Mark led the lane, so did Doug...and he made sure he won every repeat he possibly could in practice over his Olympic teammate in the next lane. Each day, Doug Chuck Warner is a part of Swimming World Magazine’s recorded “training bests” in a logbook to strengthen his confidence. editorial board and author of “Four Champions: One Gold Doug walked into the showers after practice one day, and Mark Medal” and “And Then They Won Gold.” Both books are asked, “Doug, what are you going to do after the 100 fly in Mexico available for purchase online at www.SwimmingWorld.com.

City?” Doug said, “I’m going to go back to my room and rest for the Next month: “Top 9 Olympic Upsets: #4.”

400 medley relay,” inferring he would win.

SWIMMINGMarch WORLD MAGAZINE / 2016 OLYMPIC SPECIAL EDITION 2016 / SWIMMINGWORLDMAGAZINE.COM

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TOP 9 OLYMPIC UPSETS Who will shock the world of swimming in Rio? Is it someone we can anticipate if we take a deeper look into the backstory of past upsets? The understanding and appreciation of an Olympic upset can enhance our enjoyment of tracking athletes in the years, months and now days leading up to the 2016 Olympics.

Beginning with the November 2015 issue and running through July 2016—a month before the start of the Olympic swimming events in Rio on Aug. 6—Swimming World Magazine will bring you its top 9 upsets in the individual events in Olympic history— with an emphasis on the last 50 years. This month:

#4

[PHOTO PROVIDED

BY SANDY NEILSON-BELL]

SANDY NEILSON:

THE LAST AMERICAN

BY CHUCK WARNER PHOTOS PROVIDED BY SANDY NEILSON-BELL Sandy Neilson won three Olympic gold medals at Munich. A day after her upset performance in the women’s 100 free (58.59), she led off USA’s world record-setting 4 x 100 freestyle relay in 58.98. Four days later, she swam a 57.90 anchor on her team’s 4 x 100 medley relay, which also set a world record. The American women finished the meet with eight gold medals and six world records.

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T

he fabulous temple of swimming known as the “Texas Swimming Center” faded to the background when Sandy NeilsonBell strolled down the pool deck at the 1988 Olympic Trials. During her 32 years, the blonde-haired, 5-8 woman had continued to carry herself with grace and elegance. Sandy’s smile beamed a magnetic light that outshined the white-tiled walls and drew athletes and coaches in her direction to greet her.

In a few hours, she would race in the finals of the 50 meter freestyle with the hope of qualifying for a second U.S. Olympic team.

Sandy’s emotions separated her from the nervous climate, knowing she had been to the Olympics before—nearly half a lifetime ago.

In April 1971, at 15, Sandy won her first national title by clocking 53.27 in the 100 yard freestyle. That performance qualified her for the Pan American Games to be held that summer in Cali, Colombia, where she learned a very important lesson.

Coach LaMont conducted a relatively high-mileage program (12,000 yards daily) and trained Sandy for a variety of events, including the 200 freestyle. At the Pan Am training camp, the coaches, viewing her as a sprinter, gave her much less work than she was accustomed. Concerned, she called Coach LaMont.

“What should I do?” she asked. The coach responded, “Sandy, you know what to do.” Don continued, “Find a time and a place to get in the work and sets you’re used to doing.” Coach LaMont’s confidence in Sandy elevated her own confidence and self-reliance, and it helped put her at ease.

In her first international competition, Neilson won the 100 meter freestyle (1:00.60) and added a gold medal in the 4 x 100 freestyle relay plus a silver medal in the 4 x 100 medley relay. The next goal was to qualify for finals at the Olympic Trials.

1972 MUNICH OLYMPICS: SETTING THE STAGE Sixteen-year-old Sandy Neilson looked around the small ready room and noticed how nervous all the girls seemed to be—even the great Shane Gould.

Gould was—and is—arguably the most dominant and versatile female swimmer who has ever lived. The Aussie is the only athlete in history to hold evOLYMPIC TRIALS ery freestyle world record [PHOTO © SAINER, MUNCHEN, PHOTO NOP] AND CAMP simultaneously from the At the 1972 Olympic Tri100 through the 1500... als, Jenny Kemp—who in as well as the 200 indithe preliminaries just missed vidual medley! Before Shane Gould’s world record she reached her peak at (58.5 from January at Sydthe 1972 Olympics, Shane ney) with a time of 58.63— had already set seven was victorious. Shirley Baworld records. bashoff came from behind to When the possibility of outtouch Sandy for second, Shane winning four indi59.23 to 59.38, as she had frevidual gold medals in Muquently done in local compenich was discussed, her tition. But given the rules of coach, the famed Forbes the day in which three swimCarlile, remarked, “Why mers qualified for the Olymnot five? She could easpics in each event, Sandy was ily win the 200 individual on the team! medley in addition to all After Sandy Neilson won the 100 free at the Munich Olympics in 1972, the 16-yearCoach LaMont was the freestyle events.” old had just enough time to neatly comb her hair and step up to the award stand, thrilled with the wonderful And on the first day wearing her navy-blue warm-ups. IOC President Avery Brundage then carefully milestone for Sandy, the El in Munich—the day bedraped a gold medal around her neck.

Monte Aquatic Club and their fore the 100—Gould won little town. Once again, Sandy the 200 IM in 2:23.07—a used her self-reliance to guide her training through the camp and world record by nearly half-a-second! prepare for the Games. She was a great kicker and knew she needed As Sandy sensed the tension in the other swimmers before the to keep up a significant level of work to be able to finish the second 100, she thought to herself, “Maybe if I’m not so nervous, I will half of the 100 meters. This was especially important when one conhave an advantage.” She had lived her life one moment to the next, sidered that two of the leading swimmers in the world in the 100 seldom getting ahead of the “now.” It was a habit that had served were Shane Gould and Shirley Babashoff, both world leaders in the her well in the past and might in the present, as she waited with 200, 400 and 800. seven others to be called any minute to the pool deck of the glorious Munich Schwimhalle.

THE RACE The 100 freestyle finalists were called out onto the pool deck.

EL MONTE, CALIFORNIA: FIVE YEARS EARLIER Sandy Neilson was wearing her new sneakers that were given to Twice each week, Coach Don LaMont filled his car with swimthe Olympic athletes. As she stepped onto the deck, she recently mers and drove the 45 minutes to the beach. It was a bonding time recalled the delighted feeling: “My new shoes felt so squishy on the for the young squad. Late in the afternoon, they returned for training soft deck!” at the El Monte Pool, located about 15 miles due east of downtown As Sandy began to walk out in front of the loud crowd inside Los Angeles. the Schwimhalle, she was stunned by the scene, but stayed in the Sandy Neilson joined the team when she was 10 years old and moment—at least at first. She passed a tour group of familiar faces methodically chased her goals to compete at progressively higher sponsored by Swimming World Magazine and started to become nerlevels of competition. Remarkably, in three years at the age of 13, vous, but she reminded herself, “If you stay calm, you will have an she was competing with a group of about eight teammates at the advantage.”

USA (then AAU) National Swimming Championships in Cincin— continued on 30 — continued on 18 nati, Ohio.

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that she always wished she had kept Sandy mounted the block in Lane on swimming and had gone for the 3, with Shirley Babashoff—the top world record. In fact, when Gould’s qualifier—next to her in Lane 4 and coach, Forbes Carlile, congratulated Shane Gould over in 5. Neilson startSandy in Munich, he told her that she ed quickly and surfaced in the lead. should own the world record because Through the first 50, she stayed out her Olympic time of 58.59 was elecfront—feeling as if she were “swimtronically timed and Shane’s standing ming on air”—and performed a quick WR of 58.5 was hand-timed. turn. With 25 meters remaining, she After Keith had heard the story, he acknowledged she was leading the “put a bug in Sandy’s ear” to go for two best finishers in the world, Gould it. “He was a tremendous support and and Babashoff. Her inner voice piped encouragement,” Sandy recently said. in: “Where is everyone?!” Sandy reWhen the news spread that Sandy Neilson had won the “It may have seemed like a lofty goal plied to herself with a familiar phrase Olympic gold medal in the 100 meter freestyle, everyone at the time I returned to swimming, that she and her teammates used: seemed to gather at the Neilson home—friends, family, but setting a goal to break the world “Haul buns, Neilson. You can win Coach Don LaMont, teammates, reporters, town officials record was a good idea, as it took me this!” and even the mayor! The hometown party in El Monte, Calif. started and didn’t stop until they greeted their on a most wonderful ride!”

Her thunderous kick picked up, surprise hero with a parade when Sandy arrived home In 1984, Sandy traded the opportuand she touched the wall nearly a full with three gold medals. One of the family’s friends nity of carrying the Olympic flag into body length ahead of the field. provided a banner to display at the local Chevron station, the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Nearsighted, she could hardly see owned by Sandy’s dad, Chuck Neilson (right). for the opening ceremonies in front the scoreboard that read “58.59” next of hundreds of millions of viewers to to her name, but she knew she had go quietly up the highway to Fresno won because she watched the other and achieve a qualifying time for the girls finish—Babashoff in 59.02, just U.S. nationals. At 28, she stood at the ahead of Gould at 59.06. start next to one of the 13-year-old Don LaMont was at the beach swimmers she coached. Nervous, her with his swimmers, listening to the goggles filled up with water on her enradio. They heard, “At the Olympics, try into the pool. Although she failed an unexpected winner of the 100 freeto qualify in the official race, she sucstyle, a local girl from El Monte, Calceeded in a time trial. ifornia, Sandy Neilson!” The group At the 1984 Nationals, Sandy jumped for joy, got back into the Neilson received the Comeback car and drove straight to the Neilson Swimmer of the Year Award. From home. Reporters, town officials and there, she intentionally launched a the mayor were already there. The new era of professional swimming, hometown party started and didn’t helping draw attention to the possibilstop until they greeted their surprise ity of financially supporting American hero with a parade when Sandy arswimmers after college. rived home.

At the 1988 Trials, she swam In Munich, Sandy stepped up to the 100 freestyle faster at 32 years the award stand, wearing her navySandy Neilson won her first national title in 1971 at Pullman, old—58.10—than she did in Munich blue warm-ups. In the short amount Wash. Her 53.27 in the 100 yard freestyle qualified her for when she was 16—58.59! She also of time that had passed since the 100 the Pan American Games that were held that summer in Cali, placed sixth in the finals of the 50 free free had ended, she had enough time Colombia. A happy Coach Don LaMont met Sandy after the (26.04), coming close to making the to neatly comb her hair before IOC race to offer his congratulations.

Olympic team with a time that would president Avery Brundage carefully have qualified for the finals at the draped a gold medal around her neck.

Seoul Olympics.

As “The Star-Spangled Banner” played, cameras flashed and capBy 1996 when Sandy became the first 40-year-old to compete at tured her wiping away the tears of American pride from her face with the U.S. nationals, USA Swimming renamed its comeback swima handkerchief that she had thoughtfully tucked up her sleeve. mer award the “Sandy Neilson-Bell Comeback Swimmer of the Year Although Sandy returned for gold-medal ceremonies for the 400 Award” in her honor. medley and 400 free relays, Life magazine spread her image from the Perhaps forgotten by all those that earn a living in the USA as pro100 throughout the world. Following that race, Shane Gould won the fessional swimmers today, Sandy Neilson still walks the pool deck as 200 and 400 freestyles in world-record times. However, Sandy Neila Masters and summer club coach. And each step is in the moment— son’s upset nearly 44 years ago was “The Last American” woman a moment of grace, elegance and joy.  to be crowned the outright Olympic champion in the 100 freestyle.

POSTSCRIPT After the Munich Olympics, Sandy Neilson thought she had done all there was to do in the sport and retired from competition. But about 10 years later, she met her now husband, famed swimming psychologist Dr. Keith Bell, at a Masters swim meet. Sandy shared with Keith 18

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Chuck Warner is a part of Swimming World Magazine’s editorial board and author of “Four Champions: One Gold Medal” and “And Then They Won Gold.” Both books are available for purchase online at www.SwimmingWorld.com.

TOP 9 OLYMPIC UPSETS Who will shock the world of swimming in Rio? Is it someone we can anticipate if we take a deeper look into the backstory of past upsets? The understanding and appreciation of an Olympic upset can enhance our enjoyment of tracking athletes in the years, months and now days leading up to the 2016 Olympics.

Beginning with the November 2015 issue and running through July 2016—a month before the start of the Olympic swimming events in Rio on Aug. 6—Swimming World Magazine will bring you its top 9 upsets in the individual events in Olympic history— with an emphasis on the last 50 years. This month:

#3

FELIPE MUÑOZ:

GOLD FOR MEXICO

BY CHUCK WARNER

“

Mom, the Olympics are coming!” Twelve year-old Felipe Muñoz burst with excitement as he, his mother and brothers approached the busy street corner in Mexico City. The kiosks were holding newspapers dated Oct. 18, 1963 that all bellowed the same headline: Mexico City to Host 1968 Olympics!

Felipe shouted, “I’m going to swim in them!”

For the first time, the Olympics would be conducted in a Spanishspeaking country, in Latin America and in a “Third World country.”

They would also be staged just 10 blocks from Felipe’s home. As construction of the various venues began, his neighborhood lost its favorite soccer field and gained an 8,000-seat Olympic swim stadium.

In the entire Olympic history, gold medals had only been won by Mexicans in equestrian (1948) and by diver Joaquin Capilla (1956). A swimmer had never won a medal of any kind.

The Mexican government was determined to display its tradition of hospitality, but it also longed for medals—especially gold. In 1966, the Mexican Sports Federation hired 30 coaches to train its top athletes at the Olympic Training Center in Mexico City. The government paid for the athletes’ travel expenses, and schools supported the program.

If Felipe could become one of Mexico’s top swimmers in a particular event, he would be able to participate at the Olympics. But racing for a medal seemed far-fetched, with the USA, Australia, Soviet Union and Germany expected to dominate the ’68 Games just as they had in the past and probably would in the future.

By the summer of 1967, Felipe Muñoz improved to 2:47 in the 200 meter breaststroke, but was still 20 seconds slower than the world record. He did earn a spot in the Olympic training group and moved in to what eventually became the Olympic Village. The group trained at 5 a.m. for an hour, attended school, then trained again at 2:15 p.m. for at least two-and-a-half hours.

Hungarian Bela Rajke was initially hired as swim coach, and in 1967, an American, Ron Johnson, was added to the staff. Johnson had exceptional credentials, having swum for the famed Doc Counsilman at Indiana University, where he earned his master’s degree in exercise physiology with a minor in Spanish.

Johnson’s training program was a dramatic upgrade, and the athletes knew it. Most importantly, Coach Johnson “spoke belief” into his squad. “He would always start with saying, ‘Hombre,’” Muñoz recalled recently. “‘Hombre, you can do this!’...and we believed him.”

SANTA CLARA To prepare for the October Games, Coach Johnson brought Felipe and the Mexican squad to the opening competition of the Santa Clara International Swim Center in July. Johnson warned the Americans that competing at 7,500 feet in Mexico City would be a challenge. He had been training his squad at altitude, where they were reportedly swim-

Swimming World publisher, Al Schoenfield, was in Mexico City covering the 1968 Olympics. In the magazine’s November 1968 issue, it published this photo (left) with the following cutline: “Victory GASP—Felipe Muñoz (top) touches out Vladimir Kosinsky to win Mexico’s first-ever Olympic gold medal in swimming. The 17-year-old Mexican won the 200 meter breaststroke in 2:28.7.”

[PHOTO BY SWIMMING WORLD]

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ming up to 17,000 meters in three practices a day, then rested one week before coming to California to perform.

Since the ’64 Tokyo Olympics, the 200 breaststroke world record had only improved 4-tenths of a second when the Soviet Union’s Vladmir Kosinsky swam 2:27.4 in April 1968. It seemed as though the world was standing still, waiting for Felipe Muñoz to catch up— and he was!

In 1968, Felipe had already lowered his 200 breaststroke time to 2:37, but dropped an amazing eight more seconds to 2:29.3 at Santa Clara and defeated up-and-coming American star Brian Job. Equally impressive were Felipe’s 100 splits of 1:14.8 and 1:14.5.

The negative-split swim suggested two positives for the Olympics: he could withstand pressure and use his oxygen efficiently, a key to success at altitude.

At Santa Clara, Guillermo Echevarria stunned the sport by breaking the world record in the 1500 meter freestyle (16:28.1). His performance grabbed the attention of the Mexican media, which fortunately kept it away from Muñoz. While the press mobbed Etchevarria, once again Coach Johnson spoke belief into Felipe: “Hombre, you have the chance to win the gold medal. I will prepare you physically for the Olympics. You will be in the best shape in your life.”

1968 MEXICO CITY OLYMPICS When the Olympics opened, swimmers from the host country surprised their competitors with their preparation. But by the sixth day of the 10-day competition, Oct. 17-26, Mexico still had not won a gold medal—nor, for that matter, any medal.

“Hombre, I don’t want you to shave for the preliminaries—we’re putting all our eggs in the finals basket,” Coach Johnson told a surprised Felipe. The coach had impacted him so positively, how could Felipe argue?

In the prelims, Felipe swam in the fifth and final heat, posting a time of 2:31.1, just faster than Job (2:31.5) and Kosinsky (2:31.9).

Coach Johnson hurried Felipe from the warm-down pool onto a bus.

“Coach, we can always take the next bus,” Felipe pleaded, but the coach knew better. Muñoz had qualified first, and the press would be looking for him. They motored safely away for some rest and to shave for the finals.

A standing-room-only crowd packed the Alberca Olímpica Francisco Márquez natatorium that night, Oct. 22. When the finalists for the earlier races stepped onto the deck, some of the hometown fans booed, unable to wait for the highly anticipated final event, the men’s 200 breaststroke.

In the ready room, Muñoz prepared for his race among three strong Russians, two upset-minded Americans, a potential threat from East Germany and a swimmer from Japan. Kosinsky, the world record holder, was planning how he would avenge a surprise defeat

by American Don McKenzie in the 100 breast, after which he had been found in the stadium hallway, crying in disbelief.

Finally, the 200 breaststroke finalists lined up to walk out on the deck, and Felipe peeked out at the crowd. His father had maneuvered himself to a spot by the entranceway and whispered to his son, “I’m so proud of you. Don’t worry if you don’t win—just do your best.”

Felipe resisted such talk, saying, “Dad, I’m planning to win!” His father’s eyes bulged in surprise. Felipe repeated, “I’m planning to win, Dad!” By the time the hometown favorite stood behind Block 4 between the Russians and Americans, he was fighting off his nervousness. He had firm instructions from his coach to relax the first 100. Kosinsky, in Lane 3, sped out to the lead (1:12.3) at the 100, while Muñoz cruised in fourth, three-quarters of a body length behind (1:13.8).

The crowd was anxious, but began to explode as Felipe inched closer and closer on the third length. At the 150 turn, he remained in fourth

After Felipe Muñoz’s sensational upset win in the 200 breast, rows of Mexicans leaped with joy, and then Felipe was hoisted atop the shoulders of jubilant fans who paraded their hero in a rousing victory trot around the pool.

[PHOTO BY SWIMMING WORLD]

behind Kosinsky, USA’s Brian Job and Russia’s Nickolai Pankin.

On the final length, there was a crescendo of pandemonium when Felipe passed Pankin immediately after coming off the wall.

He eventually passed Job in Lane 5 on his right, then approached Kosinsky to his left. Staring straight ahead, Muñoz finally heard the lunging and churning of the Russian, so he knew he had passed him!

When Muñoz slammed his hands into the touchpad first (2:28.7 to Kosinsky’s 2:29.2 and Job’s 2:29.9), the noise nearly blew the roof off the building as his countrymen screamed, “Méjico, Méjico!”

Rows of Mexicans leaped with joy, and then Felipe was hoisted atop the shoulders of jubilant fans who paraded their hero in a rousing victory trot around the pool.

At the award ceremony, he, then Kosinsky, then Job were introduced. Beautiful girls presented medals and kissed the award winners. The 17-year-old Felipe had hardly kissed a girl in his life and welcomed one not only from the young lady who presented him with the gold medal, but from all the other presenters as well. This prompted Brian Job to joke with Felipe, “You not only won the gold, but you stole my kiss, too!”

The largely hometown crowd sang loudly and proudly along with the playing of the Mexican national anthem. Felipe attempted to sing along, but with his body trembling and tears flooding down his face, he couldn’t produce any sound—and no wonder... just ten blocks from his home, Felipe Muñoz stood atop the Olympic podium wearing the first swimming gold medal in his nation’s history.

Four days later, Guillermo Echevarria finished a disappointing sixth in the 1500. Forty-eight years later, Felipe Muñoz remains the only gold medal winner from Mexico in the history of swimming.

His incredible win swum in his “backyard” is one of the greatest upsets in Olympic history.

POSTSCRIPT Felipe attended the University of Texas and was an All-American swimmer in 1972. He also placed fifth that year in the 200 meter breast at the Munich Olympics and swam his best time in the event (2:25.99) in prelims. After the Olympics, Mexico dropped their support of Olympic hopefuls. Muñoz recently served as president of the Mexican Olympic Committee. To this day, his gold medal and Maria Ramirez’s bronze (800 free)—both won at the ’68 Olympics just two days apart—remain the only Olympic medals won by Mexican swimmers.  Chuck Warner is a part of Swimming World Magazine’s editorial board and author of “Four Champions: One Gold Medal” and “And Then They Won Gold.” Both books are available for purchase online at www.SwimmingWorld.com. Next month: “Top 9 Olympic Upsets: #2.”

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TOP 9 OLYMPIC UPSETS Who will shock the world of swimming in Rio? Is it someone we can anticipate if we take a deeper look into the backstory of past upsets? The understanding and appreciation of an Olympic upset can enhance our enjoyment of tracking athletes in the years, months and now days leading up to the 2016 Olympics.

Beginning with the November 2015 issue and running through July 2016—a month before the start of the Olympic swimming events in Rio on Aug. 6—Swimming World Magazine will bring you its top 9 upsets in the individual events in Olympic history— with an emphasis on the last 50 years. This month:

#2

MISTY HYMAN:

INTO THE LAIR OF SWIMMING’S LION

BY CHUCK WARNER

If

the lair of a lion is its den, then the lair of competitive swimming is an Olympics held in Australia. In 1956, the best swimmers in the world competed in Melbourne...and the Aussie men and women shredded them.

In 2000, 18,000 fans—mostly Australians proudly wearing their country’s colors, green and gold—waited impatiently to rally around national celebrities such as male superstars Ian Thorpe, Michael Klim, Kieren Perkins and Grant Hackett.

And in the women’s events, no one faced greater expectations than 27-year-old Susie O’Neill. The grande dame of women’s swimming stood undefeated in the 200 butterfly for six years, was the defending Olympic champion and had recently bested Mary T. Meagher’s nearly 19-year-old world record (2:05.96) at the Australian Olympic Trials (2:05.81).

In Swimming World’s “Top 9 Olympic Upsets” series that began last November, we have learned that miracles do, indeed, happen on the Olympic stage—even in a sport that tends to be more predictable than most. But how?

UNDERWATER DOLPHIN KICK CHANGES

After Dave Berkoff led the underwater dolphin kick revolution in 1988, FINA limited the skill in 1991 to 15 meters at the start and off the turns in backstroke, but did not place the same limitation in butterfly.

Thus, as American Misty Hyman grew up in the 1990s, guided by one of swimming’s more creative coaches, Bob Gillett, she developed super-speed underwater. By 1996, she set the national high school record of 52.41 in the 100 yard fly—mainly kicking underwater—while taking only one stroke the first length and four or five on the other lengths.

Before the Olympics in Sydney, many people predicted a not-so-fantastic performance by the Americans. Instead, the United States had its most successful Games since Montreal in 1976. Perhaps epitomizing the U.S. turnaround was Misty Hyman, who beat Australia’s Golden Girl—the unbeatable, world record-holding Susie O’Neill— in her best event and on her home turf (shown here on the October 2000 cover of Swimming World Magazine’s souvenir Olympic issue).

[PHOTO BY NICK WILSON, ALLSPORT]

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her race day, not mine.”

However, as Misty prepared for the finals, the possibility for success was in jeopardy: “My hand was shaking as I put my towel in my bag.

I think at some point, I knew I had to choose to either be so nervous that I would just drop dead...or let go.”

But as she entered the ready room, she did let go. She thought to herself, “All I need to do is swim my best between those two lane lines. I’ve done this hundreds of times.” With that realization, she surrendered to a state of inner peace.

The look on Misty Hyman’s face reflected the massiveness of her Meanwhile, the partisan crowd achievement: with an astounding improvement of 3.39 seconds was working its way up to a fevered in just four weeks since the U.S. Trials, Misty clocked the second pitch, anticipating a 1-2 Australian fastest time in history, breaking Mary T. Meagher’s Olympic and sweep. They began clapping in uniAmerican records. son, and when the finalists paraded onto the pool deck, the roar vibrated through the building, flags were waved fervently, and Australian energy swelled to its maximum. When O’Neill and Thomas were OLYMPIC TRAINING CAMP introduced, they looked “all business,” while Misty beamed, waved During the USA’s four-week training camp, there were three sigand stayed within her personal silence. Her dad observed, “She’s nificant improvements that Misty made: smiling—she’s going to swim well.”

• The first was noticed by her college coach at Stanford, Richard As usual, Misty gained an advantage on the start from her unQuick, when he and his staff analyzed the video of her performance derwater dolphin kicks. But by the 50 turn, Petria Thomas held a at the Trials. They saw that she was losing momentum in her translight lead (28.35 to 28.38). Misty pushed off and executed seven sition from underwater dolphin kicking to surface swimming after dolphin kicks, then used her technique and calm to maximize her each turn. Richard asked Misty to reduce the number of kicks she speed, allowing her to touch first at the halfway mark in 59.91—the took from nine to seven off each turn and to concentrate on keeping first time a female flyer had taken the 200 fly out in under a minute. her face down on her first stroke, thus maximizing the momentum But Thomas (1:00.34) and O’Neill (1:00.68) were right behind. On she gained off her walls. Misty complied. the third 50, Susie O’Neill quickly passed her teammate and now • The second improvement she made was swimming even faster could see Misty Hyman to her left, still a body length ahead. in practice. One of Coach Quick’s favorite long course sets was ten As Misty changed direction into her last length, she thought, “I’m 50s with the first four on a minute, then subtract five seconds from in the lead and have plenty of gas in the tank.” While limiting her the previous interval on each one (:55, :50...down to the last one dolphin kicking off the last turn to seven, she kept her face down leaving on :30). Misty averaged an incredible 29 seconds on each on her first stroke, carrying her momentum toward the finish. Susie one. “My training camp was the best couple of weeks of training of breathed on the first stroke and then franticly tried to catch up. my life.” Misty said later, “It gave me confidence in the 200 fly that When Misty Hyman pressed her hands on the touchpad, she knew I had never really had before.” she had reached the finish before the Australians. She looked at the • ...Which brings us to the third improvement: for an athlete to scoreboard and saw the number, “1,” next to her name with a time engineer inner strength and maintain an outer display of sincere huof 2:05.88. mility and kindness takes excellent role models, personal growth And then joy exploded. and time. While Misty was well-liked and respected, she struggled The look on Misty Hyman’s face reflected the massiveness of at times to assert herself when appropriate and to maintain a sense her achievement: with an astounding improvement of 3.39 seconds of calm that would fully bring out her potential. That would soon in just four weeks since the U.S. Trials, Misty clocked the second change. fastest time in history, breaking Mary T. Meagher’s Olympic and American records.

2000 SYDNEY OLYMPICS After receiving congratulations from Petria Thomas and Susie In the preliminaries of the 200 butterfly, Misty’s first two imO’Neill, Hyman climbed from the pool and unabashedly rejoiced in provements paid off when she swam the best time of her life front of a crowd that had now turned in her favor. After a stunned (2:07.87) to qualify first for the semifinals. In the semis, however, pause, the crowd cheered her boisterously, recognizing that they had she swam a bit slower (2:07.96) and was beaten by Australian Petria just witnessed one of the greatest upsets in Olympic swimming hisThomas (2:07.63). Misty qualified fourth behind O’Neill (2:07.57), tory. Right there in the lair of the lion.  Thomas and Poland’s Otylia Jedrzejczak, who set a European record of 2:07.81.

Chuck Warner is a part of Swimming World Magazine’s After the semifinals, Misty looked for her usual therapist for a editorial board and author of “Four Champions: One Gold post-race massage. Dara Torres—who has never been shy about Medal” and “And Then They Won Gold.” Both books are available asserting herself and was not swimming that day—was also for purchase online at www.SwimmingWorld.com. Next month: utilizing that therapist’s services. A few minutes later, Dara told “Top 9 Olympic Upsets: #1.”

Richard Quick, “I think Misty is going to swim well tomorrow.

She just told me to get off the massage table. She told me it was At the 1996 U.S. Trials, she surfaced after 25 meters on the start and narrowly missed qualifying for the Olympic team, when she finished a heartbreaking third in the 100 and fourth in the 200. At that time, she would kick about 21 times off of the start and about 14 off each turn.

In 1998, FINA recognized the inconsistency in butterfly and backstroke, so it limited the distance a swimmer could travel underwater to 15 meters in all events. With that decision, it took Misty more than a year to regain the speed that she had displayed under the old rules. In 2000, she began to match her best times and earned an Olympic team berth with a time of 2:09.27—still three-and-a-half seconds slower than O’Neill’s world record.

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TOP 9 OLYMPIC UPSETS Who will shock the world of swimming in Rio? Is it someone we can anticipate if we take a deeper look into the backstory of past upsets? The understanding and appreciation of an Olympic upset can enhance our enjoyment of tracking athletes in the years, months and now days leading up to the 2016 Olympics.

Beginning with the November 2015 issue and running through July 2016—a month before the start of the Olympic swimming events in Rio on Aug. 6—Swimming World Magazine will bring you its top 9 upsets in the individual events in Olympic history— with an emphasis on the last 50 years. This month:

#1

LAURIE’S BOYS AND

“LUCKY LANE 6”

BY CHUCK WARNER

F

rom groggy conversation in darkness to excited expectation in light, the morning was about to change for some 60 teenagers waiting at 4:45 a.m. at the Chandler Pool in Brisbane, Australia, in 1982. Coach Laurie Lawrence descended the stairs toward the pool, and his voice boomed, “How many people live in Australia?” The swimmers knew the number to answer in unison, “15 million.”

Laurie’s emotional retort: “That’s right...and how many are asleep right now?” The coach continued, “Yes, most of them—and you are the chosen, lucky few to be here this morning to live out your Olympic destiny!”

Laurie Lawrence had a dream! His illuminating presence wiped the grime off the window of these youngsters’ vision to see the brilliant possibilities of what they could achieve as athletes. Two of those back then were 16-year-old Jon Sieben and 14-yearold Duncan Armstrong.

Just as Forbes Carlile brought science into Australian swimming, Laurie Lawrence injected unbridled passion for training preparation like few swimming coaches ever have. Lawrence grew up in the roughand-tumble sport of rugby. He later experimented with training greyhounds to race by tying rabbits to the back of his car—sadly to the dog’s demise. He had developed world record-setting distance star Stephen Holland in the early 1970s with a program of massive mileage never seen before in the sport.

When Duncan Armstrong was 13 years

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Coach Laurie Lawrence of Australia gives a thumbs-up as he stands next to a framed photo of “one of his boys,” Jon Sieben, after he upset world record holder Michael Gross (foreground of photo) in the men’s 200 fly at the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.

[PHOTO PROVIDED BY LAURIE LAWRENCE]

old, he relocated to train with Coach Lawrence because he, too, felt he had the ability to be a world-class swimmer and was willing to emulate the commitment that his teammates—such as Jon Sieben—made to reach their potential. With just a year to the Los Angeles Olympics, Sieben could make the ’84 Aussie team, but Armstrong’s best opportunity would come later.

1984 LOS ANGELES OLYMPICS When the Summer Olympics opened in Los Angeles, there was no one who seemed more unbeatable and perfectly built for the sport of swimming than 6-7 West German Michael Gross. His natural attributes in-

SWIMMING WORLD MAGAZINE / 2016 OLYMPIC SWIMMING WORLD MAGAZINE / July 2016 SPECIAL EDITION

cluded a wingspan that extended to 7 feet 7 inches, enabling his fingers to nearly touch the lane lines beside him when he swam butterfly. “The Albatross,” as he was aptly nicknamed, had been ripping up world records, first when he soared past Craig Beardsley’s mark of 1:58.01 in the 200 meter butterfly with a 1:57.05 in 1983, then in winning gold at these Olympics in the 200 freestyle (1:47.44) and in the 100 butterfly (53.08).

When he stepped up on Block No. 4 for the finals of the 200 meter butterfly, victory seemed assured, unless, perhaps, American phenom Pablo Morales (in Lane 3) could forge an upset. Standing under the California sunset on Block 5 was University of

that the coach phoned him, explained he Florida-trained Rafael Vidal, and in Lane 6 had a present for him at the pool, so Duncan was one of Laurie’s boys, Jon Sieben. Nickcomplied and ran the 10 miles to the pool to named “The Shrimp” by his friends, Sieben retrieve it. Meanwhile, Lawrence explained stood nearly a foot shorter than Gross. To the present to the team: “No one will give qualify for these finals, Sieben had imDuncan a ride home.” proved his time two seconds from the year Duncan Armstrong ended up running 20 prior, when he was ranked 25th in the world. miles that day!

As expected, Gross flew out to a lead on the first 50 (26.28), closely followed

by Morales (26.69). Sieben turned in [PHOTO PROVIDED BY fifth place (27.17).

LAURIE LAWRENCE] At just 15 years of age, Sieben burst onto the Australian scene by finishing third at the Brisbane Commonwealth Games. Now 17, he was the youngest competitor in these finals, and although he looked out of place, he was actually in his comfort zone.

He was so self-assured about his capacity to compete with Gross and Morales that after Morales passed him on the final length in the preliminaries, he rebuffed Coach Lawrence’s concern about his performance, saying defiantly, “I know what I’m doing!

I was cruising out there. I got this!”

On the second 50, Gross increased his lead to three quarters of a body length (56.17) over Vidal (56.54) and Morales (56.73). Trailing by a little more than one-and-a-half seconds to download a video of Duncan Armstrong’s (57.79)—and now in seventh—was 1988 Olympic race and Laurie Lawrence’s reaction.

Sieben.

Jon Sieben had prepared by attending every practice for the last two years, training 11 times each week, generally starting and finishing "Laurie Lawrence gave you the tools of the each day in darkness. When he broke his arm, he kicked. A sprained ankle trade to step on deck so the Olympic pressure meant he pulled. would not crush you. You look down your lane On the third 50, Gross continued and know you’ve done everything you possibly to dominate and began to put pressure on the field to stay with him, can and you’re prepared for this race. Someone splitting 1:26.01 at the 150. Vidal has got to win it. Why not me?”

(1:26.87) and Morales (1:26.99) struggled to stay at his knees, while Sieben moved up to fourth (1:27.80), —Duncan Armstrong but trailed now by nearly two sec(pictured after winning the men’s 200 free onds (1.79). at the 1988 Seoul Olympics) Sieben and Armstrong were challenged by Lawrence to be comfortable with adversity—something the coach knew a little bit about, since he As Gross pushed off the final wall, his had a lung removed when he was 14 years lead seemed insurmountable. “The Albaold. For example, Duncan made a pact with tross” seemed to be fulfilling every word of Coach Lawrence to be at every training sesthe television broadcasters’ effusive praise sion the year prior to the ’88 Games, just as as if it were a scripted plot with a predictSieben had in ’84. But on his 20th birthday, able outcome. With 25 meters remaining, he wanted to celebrate and messaged LauVidal’s and Morales’ efforts to close the rie that he was “injured” and wouldn’t be gap had produced little effect. And in Lane in for the morning session. The story goes

6, Jon Sieben still trailed Gross by 6 feet 7 inches. The Aussie thought about looking at the competition, but instead focused on getting to the wall as fast as he possibly could.

With years of hindsight, Armstrong articulated the process that he and Jon Sieben had experienced with Laurie Lawrence driving them: “He (Laurie) really understood that you only get one shot at the Olympics. The door of opportunity only opens once every four years.

He gave you the tools of the trade to step on deck so the Olympic pressure would not crush you. You look down your lane and know you’ve done everything you possibly can and you’re prepared for this race. Someone has got to win it. Why not me?”

Sieben lowered his head and surged forward on each stroke. With 15 meters remaining, he was even with Vidal and Morales and had suddenly closed half the distance to Gross. Sensing he was struggling, Gross looked to his left and fought off Morales. But two lanes to his right, Sieben was raging. Yes...“raging”— with the type of emotional surge that his coach was duplicating in the spectator area with his screaming and leaping, nearly swimming each stroke with the 17-year-old! Sieben locked onto the wall with laser-focus. With five meters remaining, he was even.

Jon Sieben won the gold medal that day in Los Angeles. He beat Michael Gross and broke his world record by 1-hundredth of a second, touching in 1:57.04 to Gross’ 1:57.40. Sieben outsplit Gross on the final 50 by a whopping 2.15 seconds (29.24 to 31.39).

Sieben leaped with joy. The partisan American crowd gave him a rousing standing ovation.

Laurie Lawrence went wild.

1988 SEOUL OLYMPICS Four years later in Seoul, Duncan Armstrong stood on Block 6 for the finals of the 200 free, ready to race three freestyle world record holders: Michael Gross (200), Artur Wodjat (400) and Matt Biondi (100). One year prior, Armstrong was ranked 46th in the world.

Entering the last 50 meters of the race, just like Sieben, Armstrong trailed...but he was in third place only 43-hundredths of a second behind Biondi and 2-hundredths of a second behind Sweden’s Anders Holmertz.

— continuedon on 38 — continued 16

SWIMMING WORLD MAGAZINE / 2016 OLYMPIC SPECIAL EDITION July 2016 / SWIMMINGWORLDMAGAZINE.COM

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15 OLYMPIC UPSETS — cont'd from 37

[PHOTO PROVIDED BY LAURIE LAWRENCE]

Unfazed by his position, Duncan Armstrong surged forward, passing the great Matt Biondi. Lawrence was bending and bellowing, urging Duncan onward. Armstrong hit the wall first with a 1:47.25 world record, ahead of Holmertz (1:47.89) and Biondi (1:47.99).

Laurie, so filled with emotion that he was speechless at first, finally screamed, “Lucky Lane 6!”

In 1993, Laurie Lawrence turned his attention to saving lives through a nationally supported swim safety program called, “Kids Alive.”

Australian reporter Steven Quartermain—much to his eventual dismay—was covering the moment of ecstasy up close with Laurie in the stands. “Laurie, how do you feel?” he asked. Lawrence, exploding with excitement slapped the reporter jubilantly on his left jaw, “How do you think I feel, mate?” Then slapping the reporter on his right jaw, he added, “We just beat three world record holders, Steven!”

You would never know from the broadcast that Steven’s jaw was now broken.

Coach Lawrence continued, “What do you think we come here for, mate? Silver? Stuff the silver! We come for the gold!”

Fifteen minutes later, Duncan Armstrong stepped atop the awards podium.

Laurie Lawrence trotted across the second level of the swim stadium and stood just above him. The Australian national anthem played. Duncan sang and trembled. Laurie trembled while he gripped his signature cowboy hat in both fists, fought back tears as long as he could, and then surrendered to the emotion—and wept.

Gold again for one of Laurie’s boys.

Gold for Australia.

Laurie Lawrence has sold passion and brought the light of possibility to athletes as well as any coach in the history of competitive swimming. His boys, Jon Sieben

Swimmers best.com

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SWIMMING WORLD MAGAZINE / 2016 OLYMPIC SPECIAL EDITION SWIMMING WORLD MAGAZINE / July 2016

and Duncan Armstrong, produced two of the greatest upsets in Olympic swimming history, four years apart, both swimming in Lane 6. They surprised two and then three world record holders in titanic upset wins.

But they won because they didn’t surprise themselves or their coach.

POSTSCRIPT In 1993, Laurie turned his attention to saving lives through a nationally supported swim safety program called, “Kids Alive.”

After stints on the Australian Olympic coaching staff in 1988 and 1992, he has continued to be on every staff as a “special advisor.”

Jon Sieben serves as the aquatics director for the City Council today in Queensland.

Duncan Armstrong has a career in the media, swim safety and public speaking. When asked about his speaking subjects, Armstrong smiles and says, “I just tell Laurie Lawrence stories.” Chuck Warner is a part of Swimming World Magazine’s editorial board and author of “Four Champions: One Gold Medal” and “And Then They Won Gold.”

Both books are available for purchase online at www.SwimmingWorld.com.

2016 RIO OLYMPICS | EVENT - BY - EVENT PREVIEW

PICTURED: Australia’s Cate ( right ) & Bronte Campbell are our picks for gold & silver, respectively, in the women’s 50M freestyle Photo by: R-Sport / Mia Rossiya Segodnya

EVENT BY WOMEN’S SWIMMING

50 METER FREESTYLE

BY TAYLOR BRIEN Day 8: Saturday, Aug. 13

HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE World Record: Britta Steffen, GER (Rome, 8-2-09) 23.73 American Record: Dara Torres (Beijing, 8-17-08) 24.07 Olympic Record: Ranomi Kromowidjojo, NED (London, 8-4-12) 24.05 Reigning Champion: Ranomi Kromowidjojo, NED 24.05 Past Champions: Kristin Otto (1988), Yang Wenyi (1992), Amy Van Dyken (1996), Inge de Bruijn (2000), Inge de Bruijn (2004), Britta Steffen (2008), Ranomi Kromowidjojo, NED (2012)

2016 FINA WORLD RANKINGS (as of July 17) 1) 23.84 Cate Campbell, AUS/ AUS Champs/Adelaide 4-13-16

EVENT OVERVIEW

Cate Campbell, 24, will be looking for a sweep of the sprint freestyle events. Not only does she come into Rio with a one-month-old world record in the 100, but she also has the fastest time in the world this year in the 50 at 23.84. However, the gold medal in the 50 won’t come easy for Cate, as younger sister, Bronte, 22, is the reigning world champ, clocking 24.12 last summer in Kazan. And Ranomi Kromowidjojo—the reigning Olympic champion—who finished second to Bronte at Worlds (24.22), already has a 24.07 to her credit from May’s European Championships. Add in Sweden’s Sarah Sjostrom (bronze at last year’s Worlds, 24.31, and a 24.17 in January), Great Britain’s Francesca Halsall (24.21), and the USA’s Abbey Weitzeil (24.28) and Simone Manuel (24.33), and the 50 free quickly becomes anybody’s race.

TALK ON DECK •

Does Bronte Campbell have a shot at knocking off her sister in this one?

•

Is the 50 a more likely medal possibility than the 100 for young Americans Abbey Weitzeil and Simone Manuel?

•

Could anyone approach Britta Steffen’s suit-aided world record? Cate Campbell has been the closest, and she already took down the world record in the 100 just last month.

2) 24.07 Ranomi Kromowidjojo, NED/ European Champs/ London 5-16-16 3) 24.17 Sarah Sjostrom, SWE/ Arena Pro Swim/Austin 1-16-16 4) 24.21 Fran Halsall, GBR/ European Champs/London 5-16-16 5) 24.24 Bronte Campbell, AUS/ AUS Champs/Adelaide 4-13-16 6) 24.28 Abbey Weitzeil, USA/ U.S. Trials/Omaha 7-3-16 7) 24.33 Simone Manuel, USA/ U.S. Trials/Omaha 7-3-16

PREDICTIONS

8) 24.39 Madison Kennedy, USA/ U.S. Trials/Omaha 7-2-16

Gold: Cate Campbell, Australia

9) 24.43 Chantal Van Landeghem,CAN/ Arena Pro Swim/ Charlotte 5-14-16

Silver: Bronte Campbell, Australia

10) 24.47 Pernille Blume, DEN/ Danish Open/ Copenhagen 4-15-16

Bronze: Ranomi Kromowidjojo, Netherlands ← SWIMMING WORLD MAGAZINE / 2016 OLYMPIC SPECIAL EDITION

39

2016 RIO OLYMPICS | EVENT - BY - EVENT PREVIEW

PICTURED: Can Sweden’s Sarah Sjostrom upset Australia’s Cate Campbell to win the gold?

Photo by: R-Sport / Mia Rossiya Segodnya

100 METER FREESTYLE

BY TAYLOR BRIEN

Day 6: Thursday, Aug. 11

HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE World Record: Cate Campbell, AUS (Brisbane, 7-2-16) 52.06 Splits: 24.89, 52.06 (27.17) American Record: Amanda Weir (Rome, 7-30-09) 53.02 Olympic Record: Ranomi Kromowidjojo, NED (London, 8-2-12) 53.00 Reigning Champion: Ranomi Kromowidjojo, NED 53.00 Past Champions: Fanny Durack (1912), Ethelda Bleibtrey (1920), Ethel Lackie (1924), Albina Osipowich (1928), Helen Madison (1932), Rie Mastenbroek (1936), Greta Andersen (1948), Katalin Szoke (1952), Dawn Fraser (1956), Dawn Fraser (1960), Dawn Fraser (1964), Jan Henne (1968), Sandra Neilson (1972), Kornelia Ender (1976), Barbara Krause (1980), Nancy Hogshead/Carrie Steinseifer (1984), Kristin Otto (1988), Zhuang

10) 53.54 Brittany Elmslie, AUS/ AUS Champs/Adelaide 4-11-16

OVERVIEW

In 1980, FINA reduced the Olympic entry limit from three to two swimmers per country, per event. Australia probably wishes it could turn back the clock in Rio—or be permitted to do what track and field does today—and have three athletes in the women’s 100 free. If so, the Aussies would have a good shot at a 1-2-3 sweep, with three of their swimmers currently ranked among the top four in the world!

As it is, they’ll still have a powerful 1-2 punch, courtesy of Cate Campbell (52.06 WR set last month), and her younger sister, Bronte (last year’s world champion, 52.52). Also battling for a spot on the podium will be Sweden’s Sarah Sjostrom (second at Worlds, 52.70) and 2012 Olympic gold medalist Ranomi Kromowidjojo of The Netherlands (fourth at Worlds, 53.17).

Yong (1992), Le Jingyi (1996), Inge de Bruijn (2000), Jodie Henry

TALK ON DECK

(2004), Britta Steffen (2008), Ranomi Kromowidjojo, NED (2012)

•

Could someone crack the 52-barrier in this event? Cate Campbell’s world record in July (52.06) shows she might be the one to do it.

•

Can Sarah Sjostrom use her excellent back half of her race to push Cate Campbell?

•

Can any American have an impact? No U.S. woman has won an international medal in the 100 free since 2008 (Natalie Coughlin, bronze).

2016 FINA WORLD RANKINGS (as of July 17) 1) 52.06 Cate Campbell, AUS/ Grand Prix/Brisbane 7-2-16 2) 52.58 Bronte Campbell, AUS/ AUS Champs/Adelaide 4-11-16 3) 52.78 Sarah Sjostrom, SWE/ Swim Open/Stockholm 4-2-16 4) 52.80 Emma McKeon, AUS/ AUS Champs/Adelaide 4-11-16 5) 53.14 Ranomi Kromowidjojo, NED/ Trofeo Sette Colli/Rome 6-25-16

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10) 53.54 Michelle Coleman, SWE/ AUS Champs/Adelaide 4-11-16

6) 53.18 Federica Pellegrini, ITA/ Trofeo Sette Colli/Rome 6-25-16

PREDICTIONS

7) 53.28 Abbey Weitzeil, USA/ U.S. Trials/Omaha 7-1-16

Gold: Cate Campbell, Australia

8) 53.31 Penny Oleksiak, CAN/ Canadian Trials/Toronto 4-5-16

Silver: Sarah Sjostrom, Sweden

9) 53.52 Simone Manuel, USA/ U.S. Trials/Omaha 7-1-16

Bronze: Bronte Campbell, Australia ←

SWIMMING WORLD MAGAZINE / 2016 OLYMPIC SPECIAL EDITION

PICTURED: Katie Ledecky is penciled in as a lock to win gold in the 400 & 800 free, but she’ll have her work cut out for her in the 200.

Photo by: R-Sport / Mia Rossiya Segodnya

200 METER FREESTYLE

BY DAVID RIEDER

Day 4: Tuesday, Aug. 9

HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE World Record: Federica Pellegrini, ITA (Rome, 7-29-09) 1:52.98 Splits: 27.34, 55.60 (28.26), 1:24.38 (28.78), 1:52.98 (28.60) American Record: Allison Schmitt (London, 7-31-12) 1:53.61 Olympic Record: Allison Schmitt, USA (London, 7-31-12) 1:53.61 Reigning Champion: Allison Schmitt, USA 1:53.61 Past Champions: Debbie Meyer (1968), Shane Gould (1972), Kornelia Ender (1976), Barbara Krause (1980), Mary Wayte (1984), Heike Friedrich (1988), Nicole Haislett (1992), Claudia Poll (1996), Susie O’Neill (2000), Camelia Potec (2004), Federica

9) 1:55.95 Bronte Barratt, AUS/ NSW Champs/Sydney 3-6-16 10) 1:55.97 Veronika Popova, RUS/ Mare Nostrum/Barcelona 6-11-16

OVERVIEW

The women’s 200 free was billed as the event to watch at last summer’s World Championships. Expect the same in Rio. That’s because Sarah Sjostrom (#4, 1:54.87) should be added to the mix: she figures to contest the event for the first time at a major international meet. She will go up against world champion Katie Ledecky (#1, 1:54.43)— undefeated in her career in World Championship and Olympic finals—along with 2008 Olympic gold medalist and world record holder Federica Pellegrini (#2, 1:54.55), who set her 1:52.98 WR in 2009 in a high-tech suit. Australia’s Emma McKeon (#3, 1:54.83) and Bronte Barratt (#9, 1:55.95, and bronze medalist in London) plus USA’s Missy Franklin (#11, 1:56.18, and bronze medalist in Kazan) all figure to be factors in what should be a real battle just to make finals.

TALK ON DECK •

Sarah Sjostrom promised to swim the event despite having never done so at a major international meet. Will that lack of racing experience hurt her against the field?

•

Katie Ledecky has entered eight individual races at Olympics and World Championships in the past, and she has won all of them. But this won’t be a lock. What would it do for her confidence if she actually is beaten?

•

Who will set the early pace in the women’s 200 free, and will she be able to hang on? Femke Heemskerk tried at last summer’s Worlds, but she faded noticeably.

Pellegrini (2008), Allison Schmitt (2012)

2016 FINA WORLD RANKINGS (as of July 17) 1) 1:54.43 Katie Ledecky, USA/ Arena Pro Swim/Austin 1-16-16 2) 1:54.55 Federica Pellegrini, ITA/ Trofeo Sette Colli/Rome 6-26-16 3) 1:54.83 Emma McKeon, AUS/ AUS Champs/Adelaide 4-9-16 4) 1:54.87 Sarah Sjostrom, SWE/ Swim Open/Stockholm 3-30-16 5) 1:55.82 Shen Duo, CHN China/ Nationals/Foshan 4-3-16 6) 1:55.84 Qiu Yuhan, CHN China/ Nationals/Foshan 4-3-16 7) 1:55.85 Femke Heemskerk, NED/ Swim Cup/Eindhoven 4-8-16 8) 1:55.88 Michelle Coleman, SWE/ Trofeo Sette Colli/Rome 6-26-16

PREDICTIONS Gold: Katie Ledecky, USA Silver: Sarah Sjostrom, Sweden Bronze: Federica Pellegrini, Italy ← SWIMMING WORLD MAGAZINE / 2016 OLYMPIC SPECIAL EDITION

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2016 RIO OLYMPICS | EVENT - BY - EVENT PREVIEW

PICTURED: Leah Smith of the USA actually out-split Katie Ledecky in the back 200 of the 400 free at U.S. Olympic Trials. Does she have what it takes to finish first and win gold?

Photo by: Peter H. Bick

400 METER FREESTYLE

BY MICHAEL J. STOTT

Day 2: Sunday, Aug. 7

HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE World Record: Katie Ledecky, USA (Gold Coast, 8-23-14) 3:58.37 Splits: 27.85, 57.87 (30.02), 1:27.91 (30.04) ,1:58.30 (30.39) 2:28.37 (30.07), 2:58.74 (30.37), 3:29.07 (30.33), 3:58.37 (29.30) American Record: Katie Ledecky (Gold Coast, 8-23-14) 3:58.37 Olympic Record: Camille Muffat, FRA (London, 7-29-12) 4:01.45 Reigning Champion: Camille Muffat, FRA 4:01.45 Past Champions: Martha Norelius (1924), Martha Norelius (1928), Helene Madison (1932), Rie Mastenbroek (1936), Ann Curtis (1948), Valeria Gyenge (1952), Lorraine Crapp (1956), Chris von Saltza (1960), Virginia Duenkel (1964), Debbie Meyer (1968), Shane Gould (1972), Petra Thumer (1976), Ines Diers (1980), Tiffany Cohen (1984), Janet Evans (1988), Dagmar Hase (1992), Michelle Smith (1996), Brooke Bennett (2000), Laure Manaudou

OVERVIEW

For all the talk about Leah Smith’s sensational 400 free final (#2, 4:00.65) at the U.S. Olympic Trials and outsplitting the winner (Katie Ledecky) by 21-hundredths on the final 200, this race should be the first of four gold medals for Ledecky and her first world record of the Rio Games. Ledecky’s comment at Trials, “I am just going to focus on my racing and my goals,” is vintage. The result should produce a 3:57-mid or lower for the 400 final. Smith, who is nearly three seconds faster than any of the other swimmers in Rio, should take second for a USA sweep.

Canadian Brittany MacLean (University of Georgia) should vie for bronze along with Australia’s Jessica Ashwood, Hungary’s Boglarka Kapas and France’s Coralie Balmy.

TALK ON DECK •

Will Katie Ledecky choose to negative-split the race the way Janet Evans did in Seoul (1988) in setting an Olympic standard that stood for nearly 20 years?

•

Who’s third? With the current times of swimmers ranked third through eighth in the world rankings separated by just one-anda-half seconds, there should be some blood and heartache in the water.

•

Will Brittany MacLean’s six medals at the 2014 Pan Pacs and the Commonwealth Games as well as her 2016 NCAA showing be enough to gain a podium spot? She did not compete in Kazan in 2015, so she didn’t face the likely suspects she’ll see in Rio.

•

Jessica Ashwood suffers from severe scoliosis and gets treatment twice weekly to align her back after training. Will her PT professional be on hand in Brazil?

(2004), Rebecca Adlington (2008), Camille Muffat (2012)

2016 FINA WORLD RANKINGS (as of July 17) 1) 3:58.98 Katie Ledecky, USA/ U.S. Trials/Omaha 6-27-16 2) 4:00.65 Leah Smith, USA/ U.S. Trials/Omaha 6-27-16 3) 4:03.47 Boglarka Kapas, HUN/ European Champs/London 5-22-16 4) 4:03.66 Coralie Balmy, FRA/ Trofeo Sette Colli/Rome 6-24-16 5) 4:03.71 Jessica Ashwood, AUS/ AUS Champs/Adelaide 4-8-16 6) 4:03.84 Brittany MacLean, CAN/ Canadian Trials/Toronto 4-5-16 7) 4:04.33 Jazmin Carlin, GBR/ British Champs/Glasgow 4-16-16 8) 4:04.96 Katinka Hosszu, HUN/ Bergen Festival/Bergen 5-28-16 9) 4:05.98 Xin Xin, CHN China/ Nationals/Foshan 4-3-16 10) 4:06.03 Bronte Barratt, AUS/ Victorian Open/Victoria 1-22-16

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SWIMMING WORLD MAGAZINE / 2016 OLYMPIC SPECIAL EDITION

PREDICTIONS Gold: Katie Ledecky, USA Silver: Leah Smith, USA Bronze: Brittany MacLean, Canada ←

PICTURED: Can Katie Ledecky repeat as the gold medalist in the 800 free? All signs point to yes.

Photo by: Peter H. Bick

800 METER FREESTYLE

BY MICHAEL J. STOTT

Day 7: Friday, Aug. 12

HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE World Record: Katie Ledecky, USA (Austin 1-17-16) 8:06.68 Splits: 28.35, 58.82 (30.47), 1:29.40 (30.58), 2:00.20 (30.80) 2:31.03 (30.83), 3:01.80 (30.77), 3:32.60 (30.80), 4:03.22 (30.62) 4:33.87 (30.65), 5:04.62 (30.75), 5:35.39 (30.77), 6:06.00 (30.61) 6:36.75 (30.75), 7:07.37 (30.62), 7:37.84 (30.47), 8:06.68 (28.84) American Record: Katie Ledecky (Austin 1-17-16) 8:06.68 Olympic Record: Rebecca Adlington, GBR (Beijing, 8-16-08) 8:14.10 Reigning Champion: Katie Ledecky, USA 8:14.63 Past Champions: Debbie Meyer (1968), Keena Rothhammer (1972), Petra Thumer (East Germany), Michelle Ford (Australia), Tiffany Cohen (1984), Janet Evans (1988), Janet Evans (1992), Brooke Bennett (1996), Brooke Bennett (2000), Ai Shibata (2004), Rebecca Adlington (2008), Katie Ledecky (2012)

OVERVIEW

If this race isn’t over before the swimmers take to the blocks, it will be by the 25. There is a lingering suspicion that the USA’s Katie Ledecky has been holding something in reserve for this race, and her supreme aerobic engine should be on full display. The question really is: “How fast?”

If she can get her legs in sync—unlike her U.S. Olympic Trials effort (8:10.32)—the world could be in for an epic swim.

Her current world record is 8:06.68, set last January, and 8:04 is not out of the question. Aussie Jessica Ashwood has earned her chops in the 800 with a June 8:18.14 being just her latest salvo. While places four through eight should be tightly bunched for the final, Ashwood’s recent performance and Lauren Boyle’s success as last year’s silver medalist at Worlds (8:17.65) should carry both to the podium—more than 15 meters behind Ledecky.

TALK ON DECK •

Again, “how fast?”

•

Can the Europeans (Kapas, Kohler, Carlin) throw down epic finishes to make the medal stand, as did Spain’s Mireia Belmonte in London when she nabbed silver (8:18.76)?

•

Why not me? Veteran campaigners Lotte Friis and Lauren Boyle have had distinguished international careers. Can they final, or is this the end of the line?

•

Katie Ledecky came within 25-hundredths of negative-splitting her world record 8:06.68 in January. Will she choose to do it this time on the world’s biggest stage?

2016 FINA WORLD RANKINGS (as of July 17) 1) 8:06.68 Katie Ledecky, USA/ Arena Pro Swim/Austin 1-17-16 2) 8:18.14 Jessica Ashwood, AUS/ Arena Pro Swim/Santa Clara 6-5-16 3) 8:20.18 Leah Smith, USA/ U.S. Trials/Omaha 7-2-16 4) 8:21.40 Brittany MacLean, CAN/ Canadian Trials/Toronto 4-8-16 4) 8:21.40 Boglarka Kapas, HUN/ European Champs/London 5-16-16 6) 8:22.80 Sarah Kohler, GER/ German Champs/Berlin 5-5-16 7) 8:23.52 Jazmin Carlin, GBR/ European Champs/London 5-16-16 8) 8:24.04 Zhang Yuhan, CHN/ China Nationals/Foshan 4-3-16 9) 8:24.33 Lotte Friis, DEN/ TX Longhorn Invite/Austin 6-5-16 10) 8:24.49 Becca Mann, USA/ Arena Pro Swim/Austin 1-17-16

PREDICTIONS Gold: Katie Ledecky, USA Silver: Jessica Ashwood, Australia Bronze: Lauren Boyle, New Zealand ← SWIMMING WORLD MAGAZINE / 2016 OLYMPIC SPECIAL EDITION

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2016 RIO OLYMPICS | EVENT - BY - EVENT PREVIEW

PICTURED: Emily Seebohm of Australia has the Olympic record in the 100 back, but no gold medal to show for it. Is this the year she stands atop the podium?

Photo by: Paul Seiser/SPA Images

100 METER BACKSTROKE

BY ANNIE GREVERS

Day 3: Monday, Aug. 8

HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE World Record: Gemma Spofforth, GBR (Rome, 7-28-09) 58.12 Splits: 28.71, 58.12 (29.41) American Record: Missy Franklin (London, 7-30-12) 58.33 Olympic Record: Emily Seebohm, AUS (London, 7-29-12) 58.23p Reigning Champion: Missy Franklin, USA 58.33 Past Champions: Sybil Bauer (1924), Zus Braun (1928), Eleanor Holm (1932), Nida Senff (1936), Karen Harup (1948), Joan Harrison (1952), Judy Grinham (1956), Lynn Burke (1960), Cathy Ferguson (1964), Kaye Hall (1968), Melissa Belote (1972), Ulrike Richter (1976), Rica Reinisch (1980), Theresa Andrews (1984), Kristin Otto (1988), Kristina Egerszegi (1992), Beth Botsford (1996), Diana Mocanu (2000), Natalie Coughlin (2004), Natalie Coughlin (2008), Missy Franklin (2012)

2016 FINA WORLD RANKINGS (as of July 17) 1) 58.73 Emily Seebohm, AUS/ AUS Champs/Adelaide 4-8-16 1) 58.73 Mie Nielsen, DEN/ European Champs/London 5-16-16 3) 58.94 Katinka Hosszu, HUN/ European Champs/London 5-16-16 4) 59.02 Olivia Smoliga, USA/ U.S. Trials/Omaha 6-28-16 5) 59.06 Kylie Masse, CAN/ Canadian Trials/Toronto 4-6-16 6) 59.22 Madison Wilson, AUS/ Victorian Open/Victoria 1-22-16 7) 59.29 Kathleen Baker, USA/ U.S. Trials/Omaha 6-28-16 8) 59.34 Minna Atherton, AUS/ Grand Prix/Brisbane 7-2-16 9) 59.37 Amy Bilquist, USA/ U.S. Trials/Omaha 6-28-16 10) 59.55 Chang Haihua, CHN/ China Nationals/Foshan 4-3-16

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SWIMMING WORLD MAGAZINE / 2016 OLYMPIC SPECIAL EDITION

OVERVIEW

With the USA’s Missy Franklin unable to defend her Olympic title after failing to qualify for the 100 back at the U.S. Trials, expect veteran Emily Seebohm of Australia to make the most of her opportunity. She finished runnerup to Franklin four years ago, won the event at World Championships last year (58.26) and, at 27, comes into the meet tied with Denmark’s Mie Nielsen for the world’s fastest time this year (58.73). Nielsen, only 15 when she made her Olympic debut in 2012 (placing 17th), injured her knee in 2013, but came back to win the bronze medal last year in Kazan. Despite being ranked No. 3 in the world in this event, Hungary’s Katinka Hosszu may forego the 100 back to focus on her other races, giving first-time Olympian Olivia Smoliga a good chance of winning a medal.

TALK ON DECK •

With noticeable absences, Missy Franklin and Natalie Coughlin, can the U.S. extend its gold-medal streak to four straight?

•

With a top-three world ranking, it would be natural to question Katinka Hosszu if she scratches this race. Then again, very few have her versatility. Will she swim it?

•

Denmark’s swimmers have only won two Olympic gold medals in swimming. Could Mie Nielsen be the third Danish swimmer to win a gold medal?

PREDICTIONS Gold: Emily Seebohm, Australia Silver: Mie Nielsen, Denmark Bronze: Olivia Smoliga, USA ←

PICTURED: Missy Franklin of the USA is the defending Olympic champion in the 200 back, although she has struggled as of late. Can she be a dark horse to win gold?

Photo by: Peter H. Bick

200 METER BACKSTROKE

BY DAVID RIEDER

OVERVIEW

Ulrike Richter (1976), Rica Reinisch (1980), Jolanda de Rover

Australia’s Emily Seebohm will be favored to win the women’s 200 back, but not as heavily as she will be in the 100 back. However, she won last year’s world title (2:05.81) with a 31.14 final split that was more than a second faster than anyone else’s. Coming into Rio, the Aussies rank 1-2 in the event, with Seebohm (2:06.59) just 1-tenth of a second behind Belinda Hocking (2:06.49). The next two fastest swimmers are both under 2:07: Hungary’s Katinka Hosszu (2:06.88) and the USA’s Maya DiRado (2:06.90). Then there’s Missy Franklin (#9, 2:07.89), who struggled to make the U.S. Olympic team in this event, but has by far the best career resumé in the field (Olympic gold medalist in London, where she set the current WR, 2:04.06). This race should be

(1984), Kristina Egerszegi (1988), Kristina Egerszegi (1992),

her best shot at an individual medal.

Day 7: Friday, Aug. 12

HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE World Record: Missy Franklin, USA (London, 8-3-12) 2:04.06 Splits: 29.53, 1:00.50 (30.97), 1:32.16 (31.66), 2:04.06 (31.90) American Record: Missy Franklin (London, 8-3-12) 2:04.06 Olympic Record: Missy Franklin, USA (London, 8-3-12) 2:04.06 Reigning Champion: Missy Franklin, USA 2:04.06 Past Champions: Lillian Watson (1968), Melissa Belote (1972),

Kristina Egerszegi (1996), Diana Mocanu (2000), Kirsty Coventry (2004), Kirsty Coventry (2008), Missy Franklin (2012)

TALK ON DECK •

Missy Franklin is the dark horse in this event, having struggled recently, but having such a high ceiling. Can she return to the 2:06-range (or better) and contend for a medal?

•

Can Emily Seebohm turn in the same kind of closing split that she had last summer at Worlds (31.14—nearly a second-anda-half faster than the next fastest split)?

•

How strong will Katinka Hosszu be at this point of the meet after possibly swimming four finals prior to the 200 back?

2016 FINA WORLD RANKINGS (as of July 17) 1) 2:06.49 Belinda Hocking, AUS/ AUS Champs/Adelaide 4-12-16 2) 2:06.59 Emily Seebohm, AUS/ AUS Champs/Adelaide 4-12-16 3) 2:06.88 Katinka Hosszu, HUN/ Meeting International/Canet 6-8-16 4) 2:06.90 Maya DiRado, USA/ U.S. Trials/Omaha 7-2-16 5) 2:06.92 Daria Ustinova, RUS/ Russian Nationals/Moscow 4-16-16 6) 2:07.18 Madison Wilson, AUS/ Victorian Open/Victoria 1-22-16 7) 2:07.47 Sian Whittaker, AUS/ AUS Champs/Adelaide 4-12-16

PREDICTIONS

8) 2:07.48 Daryna Zevina, UKR/ European Champs/London 5-16-16

Gold: Emily Seebohm, Australia

9) 2:07.89 Missy Franklin, USA/ U.S. Trials/Omaha 7-2-16

Silver: Missy Franklin, USA

10) 2:07.96 Hilary Caldwell, CAN/ Canadian Trials/Toronto 4-10-16

Bronze: Katinka Hosszu, Hungary ← SWIMMING WORLD MAGAZINE / 2016 OLYMPIC SPECIAL EDITION

45

2016 RIO OLYMPICS | EVENT - BY - EVENT PREVIEW

PICTURED: Lilly King of the United States has this year’s fastest time and is our pick to win gold in the 100 breast.

Photo by: Peter H. Bick

100 METER BREASTSTROKE

BY ANNIE GREVERS

Day 3: Monday, Aug. 8

HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE World Record: Ruta Meilutyte, LTU (Barcelona, 7-29-13) 1:04.35sf Splits: 29.97, 1:04.35 (34.38) American Record: Jessica Hardy (Federal Way, 8-7-09) 1:04.45 Olympic Record: Leisel Jones, AUS (Beijing, 8-10-08) 1:05.17 Reigning Champion: Ruta Meilutyte, LTU 1:05.47 Past Champions: Durdica Bjedov (1968), Catherine Carr (1972), Hannelore Anke (1976), Ute Geweniger (1980), Petra van Staveren (1984), Tanya Dangalakova (1988), Yelena Rudkovskaya (1992), Penny Heyns (1996), Megan Quann (2000), Luo Xuejuan (2004), Leisel Jones (2008), Ruta Meilutyte (2012)

2016 FINA WORLD RANKINGS (as of July 17) 1) 1:05.20 Lilly King, USA/U.S. Trials/Omaha 6-28-16

OVERVIEW

Lilly King’s American record-crushing breaststroke performances at the 2016 NCAAs as well as her No. 1 world ranking by a half-second in the 100 meter breast (1:05.20) leave little room for doubt: she appears to be the future of American and, perhaps, world breaststroke. Still, she’ll have plenty of competition in Rio. After an off year, Lithuania’s Ruta Meilutyte seems to have shifted into high gear, dropping beneath the 1:06 barrier once again. Yuliya Efimova, who tested positive for a banned substance for the second time in her career this year, was added to the Russian roster in June, but later declared ineligible by the IOC in July (pending appeal). That should pave the way to the podium for Jamaica’s Alia Atkinson—the former Texas A&M Aggie was fourth four years ago in London, third at last year’s Worlds and clocked 1:05.93 last November in Dubai. And then there’s Katie Meili, who could give Team USA two medalists.

Look for this to be a brawl between the world’s two high-tempo queens, King and the defending Olympic champion, Meilutyte.

TALK ON DECK •

Can Ruta Meilutyte return to her world record-setting ways?

She hasn’t approached her 1:04.35 since she set the record three years ago. Her most recent times include a 1:05.64sf at Kazan in 2015 and a 1:05.82 last March.

•

Can Lilly King continue her steep upward trajectory?

•

Both Katie Meili and Lilly King have very little international experience. Meili competed at Pan-Ams last summer, but this will be both of their first times trying to put together a perfect race on the world stage. How will they handle Olympic-sized nerves?

2) 1:05.70 Yulia Efimova, RUS/Arena Pro Series/Orlando 3-3-16 3) 1:05.82 Ruta Meilutyte, LTU/Edinburgh Intl/Edinburgh 3-11-16 4) 1:06.07 Katie Meili, USA/U.S. Trials/Omaha 6-28-16 5) 1:06.12 Georgia Bohl, AUS/AUS Champs/ Adelaide 4-8-16 6) 1:06.16 Molly Hannis, USA/SE Sthrn Premier/Knoxville 3-4-16 7) 1:06.29 Shi Jinglin, CHN/Chinese Nationals/Forshan 4-3-16 8) 1:06.31 Sarah Haase, USA/Arena Pro Swim/Santa Clara 6-3-16 9) 1:06.34 Siobhan-Marie O’Connor, GBR/Scottish Nationals 7-1-16 10) 1:06.41 Martina Carrara, ITA/Spring Champs/Riccione 4-23-16

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SWIMMING WORLD MAGAZINE / 2016 OLYMPIC SPECIAL EDITION

PREDICTIONS

Gold: Lilly King, USA Silver: Ruta Meilutyte, Lithuania Bronze: Alia Atkinson, Jamaica ←

PICTURED: Rikke Pedersen of Denmark is the current world record holder in the 200 breast, but she’ll face stiff competition from the Japanese duo of Rie Kaneto & Kanako Watanabe.

Photo by: Peter H. Bick

200 METER BREASTSTROKE

BY ANNIE GREVERS

Day 6: Thursday, Aug. 11

HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE World Record: Rikke Moller Pedersen, DEN (Barcelona, 8-1-13) 2:19.11 Splits: 31.80, 1:07.27 (35.47), 1:42.89 (35.62), 2:19.11 (36.22) American Record: Rebecca Soni (London, 8-2-12) 2:19.59 Olympic Record: Rebecca Soni, USA (London, 8-2-12) 2:19.59 Reigning Champion: Rebecca Soni, USA 2:19.59 Past Champions: Lucy Morton (1924), Hilde Schrader (1928), Clare Dennis (1932), Hideko Maehata (1936), Petronella van Vliet (1948), Eva Szekely (1952), Ursula Happe (1956), Anita Lonsbrough (1960), Galina Prozumenschikova (1964), Sharon Wichman (1968), Beverley Whitfield (1972), Marina Koshevaia (1976), Lina Kachushite (1980), Anne Ottenbrite (1984), Silke Horner (1988), Kyoko Iwasaki (1992), Penny Heyns (1996), Agnes Kovacs (2000), Amanda Beard (2004), Rebecca Soni

OVERVIEW World record holder Rikke Pedersen of Denmark (2:19.11, 2013) has not dipped beneath 2:21 in the past two years. The big story in this field is the late emergence of Japan’s breaststroke star, Rie Kaneto. After nearly quitting the sport several times, the 27-year-old shocked herself with a Japanese record (2:19.65) in April. With renewed confidence and love for the sport, Kaneto may own this race from start to finish.

Teammate Kanako Watanabe swam a 2:20 in 2015 and will be swimming alongside Kaneto on her second Olympic team.

Watanabe was only 15 in London. An interesting outlier in this field is Iceland’s Hrafnhildur Lúthersdóttir. The country has never won a medal in swimming and only has won four medals in its Olympic history. Look for Pedersen, Kaneto

and Watanabe to duke it out in sub-2:20 style.

TALK ON DECK •

Can Rikke Pedersen rebound to her 2013-14 form? At 27, does she still have what it takes to break her own world record?

•

Will Rie Kaneto be able to duplicate her swim (2:19.65) from April?

•

American Olympians in this event, Lilly King (2:24.03) and Molly Hannis (2:24.39), are ranked 16th and 18th (tie) in the world, respectively. Will either of these American underdogs be able to sneak into the Olympic final?

•

Can Japan put two women on the podium?

(2008), Rebecca Soni (2012)

2016 FINA WORLD RANKINGS (as of July 17) 1) 2:19.65 Rie Kaneto, JPN/ Japan Swim/Tokyo 4-4-16 2) 2:21.41 Yulia Efimova, RUS/ Arena Pro Series/Orlando 3-4-16 3) 2:21.45 Taylor McKeown, AUS/ AUS Champs/Adelaide 4-11-16 4) 2:21.69 Rikke Pedersen, DEN/ European Champs/London 5-20-16 5) 2:22.34 Chloe Tutton, GBR/ British Champs/Glasgow 4-13-16 6) 2:22.56 Jessica Vall, ESP/ European Champs/London 5-20-16 7) 2:22.96 Hrafnhildur Lúthersdóttir, ISL/ European Champs 5-20-16 8) 2:22.98 Shi Jinglin, CHN/ Chinese Nationals/Foshan 4-3-16 9) 2:23.02 Kanako Watanabe, JPN/ Mare Nostrum/Barcelona 6-11-16 10) 2:23.18 Molly Renshaw, GBR/ European Champs/London 5-20-16

PREDICTIONS Gold: Rie Kaneto, Japan Silver: Rikke Pedersen, Denmark Bronze: Kanako Watanabe, Japan ← SWIMMING WORLD MAGAZINE / 2016 OLYMPIC SPECIAL EDITION

47

2016 RIO OLYMPICS | EVENT - BY - EVENT PREVIEW

PICTURED: Kelsi Worrell of the USA was a breakout star of sorts at US Olympic Trials. Can she keep the magic going in Rio? Photo by: Peter H. Bick

100 METER BUTTERFLY

BY DAVID RIEDER

Day 2: Sunday, Aug. 7

HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE

OVERVIEW

World Record: Sarah Sjostrom, SWE (Kazan, 8-2-15) 55.74

Splits: 26.46, 55.74 (29.28)

titles in the 100 fly and owns the five fastest times in history

American Record: Dana Vollmer (London, 7-29-12) 55.98

in the event plus seven of the top eight. Not winning gold in

Olympic Record: Dana Vollmer, USA (London, 7-29-12) 55.98

this event would be a stunner. The Americans, who failed to

Reigning Champion: Dana Vollmer, USA 55.98

make the final at last year’s World Championships, will change

Past Champions: Shelley Mann (1956), Carolyn Schuler (1960),

that this year with Kelsi Worrell and defending Olympic

Sharon Stouder (1964), Lyn McClements (1968), Mayumi Aoki (1972), Kornelia Ender (1976), Caren Metschuck (1980), Mary T. Meagher (1984), Kristin Otto (1988), Qian Hong (1992), Amy Van Dyken (1996),

Sarah Sjostrom has won three of the last four world

champion Dana Vollmer. The race, though, will be a tight one with Australia’s Emma McKeon, China’s Chen Xinyi and Denmark’s Jeanette Ottesen also vying for a medal.

Inge de Bruijn (2000), Petria Thomas (2004), Libby Trickett (2008), Dana Vollmer (2012)

TALK ON DECK •

Can anyone challenge Sarah Sjostrom? The rest of the field will go out with her, but no one else has shown they can produce a 29-low split on the way home.

•

Will Dana Vollmer be able to approach her best time (55.98 American record from 2012) and make a run at a medal?

•

Several women have been in the 56-high/57-low range this year. Will it take under 57 just to make the final? Because of the tough competition, will any of the “big names” miss the final?

2016 FINA WORLD RANKINGS (as of July 17) 1) 55.68 Sarah Sjostrom, SWE/ Swim Open/Stockholm 3-31-16 2) 56.48 Kelsi Worrell, USA/ U.S. Trials/Omaha 6-27-16 3) 56.82 Chen Xinyi, CHN/ Chinese Nationals/Foshan 4-3-16 4) 56.83 Jeanette Ottesen, DEN/ European Champs/London 5-16-16 5) 56.89 Emma McKeon, AUS / AUS Champs/Adelaide 4-7-16 6) 56.90 Dana Vollmer, USA/ U.S. Trials/Omaha 6-26-16 7) 56.99 Penny Oleksiak, CAN/ Canadian Trials/Toronto 4-5-16 8) 57.02 Noemie Thomas, CAN/ Canadian Trials/Toronto 4-5-16

48

PREDICTIONS Gold: Sarah Sjostrom, Sweden

9) 57.08 Madeline Groves, AUS/ AUS Champs/Adelaide 4-7-16

Silver: Kelsi Worrell, USA

10) 57.17 Lu Ying, CHN/ Chinese Nationals/ Foshan 4-3-16

Bronze: Emma McKeon, Australia ←

SWIMMING WORLD MAGAZINE / 2016 OLYMPIC SPECIAL EDITION

PICTURED: Japan’s Natsumi Hoshi won this race at 2015 World Championships with a 2:05.56.

She’s our pick to do it again in Rio. Photo by: R-Sport / Mia Rossiya Segodnya

200 METER BUTTERFLY

BY DAVID RIEDER

Day 5: Wednesday, Aug. 10

HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE World Record: Liu Zige, CHN (Jinan, 10-21-09) 2:01.81 Splits: 27.19, 58.08 (30.89), 1:30.20 (32.12), 2:01.81 (31.61) American Record: Mary DeScenza (Rome, 7-30-09) 2:04.14 Olympic Record: Jiao Liuyang, CHN (London, 8-1-12) 2:04.06 Reigning Champion: Jiao Liuyang, CHN 2:04.06 Past Champions: Ada Kok (1968), Karen Moe (1972), Andrea Pollack (1976), Ines Geissler (1980), Mary T. Meagher (1984), Kathleen Nord (1988), Summer Sanders (1992), Susie O’Neill (1996), Misty Hyman (2000), Otylia Jedrzejczak (2004), Liu Zige (2008), Jiao Liuyang (2012)

2016 FINA WORLD RANKINGS (as of July 17) 1) 2:05.47 Madeline Groves, AUS/ AUS Champs/Adelaide 4-10-16

finished a disappointing ninth at last summer’s World Championships. Japan’s Natsumi Hoshi won that race in Kazan with a 2:05.56, storming ahead on the last 50 after sitting back in the pack for most of the race. The USA’s Cammile Adams and China’s Zhang Yufei both know how to close, and Germany’s Franziska Hentke will push the pace early. Spain’s Mireia Belmonte is a wild card, while Hungary’s Katinka Hosszu probably won’t swim the race due to scheduling conflicts with the 200 IM (200 fly semis and 200 IM finals will be swum on the same night).

TALK ON DECK •

In the women’s 200 fly, it’s a near certainty that someone will push the pace, then badly fade on the way home. Who will be the casualty of “too much nervous energy” at the Olympic Games?

•

Rio figures to be a big Olympics for the Australians. Can Madeline Groves and Brianna Throssell—two young faces trying to shake up the established order—make this event particularly special for the swimmers from Down Under?

•

China has won gold in the women’s 200 fly at the past two Olympics. Will either Zhou Yilin or Zhang Yufei be able to maintain that standard of excellence?

2) 2:05.77 Franziska Hentke, GER/ Germany Champs/Berlin 5-5-16 3) 2:06.32 Natsumi Hoshi, JPN/ Japan Swim/Tokyo 4-7-16 4) 2:06.34 Mireia Belmonte, ESP/ Spanish Nationals/Sabadell 3-19-16 5) 2:06.56 ZhouYilin, CHN/ Chinese Nationals/Foshan 4-3-16 6) 2:06.58 Brianna Throssell, AUS/ AUS Champs/Adelaide 4-10-16 7) 2:06.80 Cammile Adams, USA/ U.S. Trials/Omaha 6-30-16 8) 2:06.85 Suzuka Hasegawa, JPN/ Japan Swim/Tokyo 4-6-16 9) 2:07.11 Katinka Hosszu, HUN/ FFN Golden Tour/Marseille 3-6-16 10) 2:07.13 Zhang Yufei, CHN/ Chinese Nationals/Foshan 4-3-16

OVERVIEW

The current world rankings suggest that the women’s 200 fly will be wide open. Australia’s Madeline Groves enters with the top time in the world (2:05.47), but she

PREDICTIONS Gold: Natsumi Hoshi, Japan Silver: Madeline Groves, Australia Bronze: Cammile Adams, USA ← SWIMMING WORLD MAGAZINE / 2016 OLYMPIC SPECIAL EDITION

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2016 RIO OLYMPICS | EVENT - BY - EVENT PREVIEW

PICTURED: Katinka Hosszu of Hungary will be competing in her fourth Olympics. Can the Iron Lady finally become the Golden Girl?

Photo by: Maria Dobysheva

200 METER INDIVIDUAL MEDLEY

BY BRENT T. RUTEMILLER

Day 4: Tuesday, Aug. 9

HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE World Record: Katinka Hosszu, HUN (Kazan, 8-3-15) 2:06.12 Splits: 27.30, 58.94 (31.64), 1:35.64 (36.70), 2:06.12 (30.48) American Record: Ariana Kukors (Rome, 7-27-09) 2:06.15 Olympic Record: Ye Shiwen, CHN (London, 7-31-12) 2:07.57 Reigning Champion: Ye Shiwen, CHN 2:07.57 Past Champions: Claudia Kolb (1968), Shane Gould (1972), Tracy Caulkins (1984), Daniela Hunger (1988), Lin Li (1992), Michelle Smith (1996), Yana Klochkova (2000), Yana Klochkova (2004), Stephanie Rice (2008), Ye Shiwen (2012)

2016 FINA WORLD RANKINGS (as of July 17) 1) 2:07.30 Katinka Hosszu, HUN/ European Champs/London 5-16-16 2) 2:09.03 Siobhan-Marie O’Connor, GBR/ European Champs/ 5-16-16 3) 2:09.54 Maya DiRado, USA / U.S. Trials/Omaha 6-29-16

name, she may be the most decorated swimmer never to capture any Olympic hardware. That should change, though, in Rio. She won the gold medal in the women’s 200 IM (2:06.12) at last year’s World Championships, lowering the world record— set in 2009 by Ariana Kukors, who was wearing the nowbanned technical racing suit—by 3-hundredths of a second.

Hosszu went 2:07.46 that year while training with Dave Salo.

Now, seven years later and coached by her husband, Shane Tusup, Hosszu is quicker. She has the world’s fastest time this year (2:07.30) and is nearly two seconds ahead of her competition, which includes Siobhan-Marie O’Connor of Great Britain (#2, 2:09.03, and last year’s bronze medalist at Worlds, 2:08.77) and Maya DiRado of the United States (#3, 2:09.54, and fourth-place finisher at Worlds, 2:08.99).

TALK ON DECK •

Katinka Hosszu wants an Olympic gold medal in the worst way. If she comes off the 400 IM with less than a gold on Day 1, can she recover to win the 200 IM?

•

Maya DiRado dominated Hosszu when they last raced each other at the Arena Pro Swim in Mesa, Ariz. this year. Can DiRado win on the big stage?

•

Siobhan-Marie O’Connor, at age 19, captured the silver medal in this event at the short course Worlds in 2014. Last year, she won bronze. Earlier this year, she took the silver medal at Europeans. Hosszu won all three of those races. Can O’Connor upset Hosszu in Rio?

4) 2:09.56 Viktoriya Andreeva, RUS/ Russian Nationals/Moscow 4-16-16 5) 2:09.87 Miho Teramura, JPN/ Japan Swim/Tokyo 4-7-16 6) 2:09.95 Alicia Coutts, AUS/ AUS Champs/Adelaide 4-9-16 7) 2:10.11 Melanie Margalis, USA/ U.S. Trials/Omaha 6-29-16 8) 2:10.16 Caitlin Leverenz, USA/ U.S. Trials/Omaha 6-29-16 9) 2:10.51 Sakiko Shimizu, JPN/ Konami Open/Tokyo 2-19-16 10) 2:10.53 Kanako Watanabe, JPN/ Japan Open/Tokyo 5-22-16

OVERVIEW

Hungary’s Katinka Hosszu will be competing in her fourth Olympic Games. With 56 international medals to her 50

SWIMMING WORLD MAGAZINE / 2016 OLYMPIC SPECIAL EDITION

PREDICTIONS Gold: Katinka Hosszu, Hungary Silver: Siobhan-Marie O’Connor, Great Britain Bronze: Maya DiRado, USA ←

PICTURED: Maya DiRado of the USA will need to return to last year’s form (4:31.71, silver medal at Kazan) if she wants to medal in Rio. Photo by: Peter H. Bick

400 METER INDIVIDUAL MEDLEY

BY BRENT T. RUTEMILLER

Day 1: Saturday, Aug. 6

HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE World Record: Ye Shiwen, CHN (London, 7-28-12) 4:28.43 Splits: 28.85, 1:02.19 (33.34), 1:37.53 (35.24), 2:11.73 (34.20) 2:50.53 (38.80), 3:29.75 (39.22), 3:59.50 (29.75), 4:28.43 (28.93) American Record: Katie Hoff (Omaha, 7-28-12) 4:31.12 Olympic Record: Ye Shiwen, CHN (London, 8-10-08) 4:28.43 Reigning Champion: Ye Shiwen, CHN 4:28.43 Past Champions: Donna de Varona (1964), Claudia Kolb (1968),

OVERVIEW

Katinka Hosszu wants to win this race and has been gunning for it since 2012. However, Hungary’s “Iron Lady” has consistently not raced well in 2016, leaving the door open for the rest of the field. America’s Elizabeth Beisel swam sick and was not fully rested at the USA Trials. Her recently injured left hand may be a factor. Teammate Maya DiRado did not come close to her best time in this event at USA Trials (4:33.73 vs. 4:31.71 at 2015 Worlds), but she should get back on track at Rio. Spain’s Mireia Belmonte has been consistently performing over her career, winning two silver medals in London (200 fly and 800 free). She has the endurance and comeback speed to be a factor in this event.

Gail Neall (1972), Ulrike Tauber (1976), Petra Schneider (1980), Tracy Caulkins (1984), Janet Evans (1988), Kristina Egerszegi (1992), Michelle Smith (1996), Yana Klochkova (2000), Yana Klochkova (2004),

TALK ON DECK •

The 400 IM is the women’s first individual event in Rio. In Katinka Hosszu’s fourth Olympic appearance, can the 11-time world champion win her first Olympic medal? The more curious question is: just how many medals can she win?

•

Can Elizabeth Beisel rebound from an injury and a difficult USA Swimming Trials?

•

Can Mireia Belmonte improve on her eighth-place finish in this event from the London 2012 Olympics?

•

Hannah Miley will be competing in her third straight Olympic Games. In 2008, she placed sixth in the 400 IM; in 2012, she finished fifth. In Rio—two days before her 27th birthday— will this year’s No. 2-ranked swimmer in the world make the podium?

Stephanie Rice (2008), Ye Shiwen (2012)

2016 FINA WORLD RANKINGS (as of July 17) 1) 4:29.89 Katinka Hosszu, HUN/ FFN Golden Tour/Marseille 3-4-16 2) 4:33.40 Hannah Miley, GBR/ British Champs/Glasgow 4-12-16 3) 4:33.42 Mireia Belmonte, ESP/ Spanish Nationals/Sabadell 5-13-16 4) 4:33.55 Elizabeth Beisel, USA/ Atlanta Classic/Atlanta 5-13-16 5) 4:33.73 Maya DiRado, USA / U.S. Trials/Omaha 6-26-16 6) 4:34.82 Aimee Willmott, GBR/ Speedo Cup/Antwerpen 1-23-16 7) 4:35.04 Sakiko Shimizu, JPN/ Konami Open/Tokyo 2-19-16 8) 4:35.26 Blair Evans, AUS/ AUS Champs/Adelaide 4-7-16

PREDICTIONS Gold: Katinka Hosszu, Hungary

9) 4:35.55 Miho Takahashi, JPN/ Japan Swim/Tokyo 4-4-16

Silver: Maya DiRado, USA

10) 4:36.61 Lara Grangeon, FRA/ Elite Champs/Montpellier 3-29-16

Bronze: Elizabeth Beisel, USA ← SWIMMING WORLD MAGAZINE / 2016 OLYMPIC SPECIAL EDITION

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2016 RIO OLYMPICS | EVENT - BY - EVENT PREVIEW

PICTURED: World champion Emily Seebohm of Australia should give her teammates an early lead on backstroke on their way to a gold medal.

Photo by: Delly Carr

Top 5 Times from 2016: 1) 3:58.57 Great Britain/ European Champs/London 5-22-16 2) 4:00.73 Italy/ European Champs/London 5-22-16 3) 4:01.49 Finland/ European Champs/London 5-22-16 4) 4:02.73 Czech Republic/ European Champs/London 5-22-16

4 x100 METER MEDLEY RELAY

BY DAVID RIEDER

Day 8: Saturday, Aug. 13

HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE World Record: United States (London, 8-4-12) 3:52.05 Splits: Missy Franklin - 58.50, Rebecca Soni -2:03.32 (1:04.82) Dana Vollmer - 2:58.80 (55.48), Allison Schmitt - 3:52.05 (53.25) American Record: USA (London, 8-4-12) 3:52.05 Missy Franklin, Rebecca Soni, Dana Vollmer, Allison Schmitt Olympic Record: USA (London, 8-4-12) 3:52.05 Missy Franklin, Rebecca Soni, Dana Vollmer, Allison Schmitt Reigning Champion: USA 3:52.05 Missy Franklin, Rebecca Soni, Dana Vollmer, Allison Schmitt Past Champions: United States (1960), United States (1964), United States (1968), United States (1972), East Germany (1976), East Germany (1980), United States (1984), East Germany (1988), United States (1992), United States (1996), United States (2000), Australia (2004), Australia (2008), United States (2012)

2015-16 FINA WORLD RANKINGS Top 10 Times from 2015: 1) 3:54.41 China/ World Champs/Kazan 8-9-15 2) 3:55.24 Sweden/ World Champs/Kazan 8-9-15 3) 3:55.56 Australia/ World Champs/Kazan 8-9-15

5) 4:02.99 Sweden/ European Champs/London 5-22-16

OVERVIEW

China won the world title in this event last year over Sweden and previous powerhouses, Australia and the United States. This year, expect the Aussies and Americans to regain their dominance. Australia’s team has as good a pair of “bookends” as one can find—leadoff leg Emily Seebohm in backstroke (world champion, 58.26) and anchor leg Cate Campbell in freestyle (#1, 52.06 WR). Add to that breaststroker Georgia Bohl (#5, 1:06.12) and butterflyer Emma McKeon (#5, 56.89), and the Aussies should find themselves atop the awards stand. The Americans also have rebounded, but to challenge the Aussies, they will need a sub-53-second freestyle from either Abbey Weitzeil or Simone Manuel. China and Sweden (with butterfly world record holder Sarah Sjostrom on its team) should contend for a medal, as will Denmark, which has a balanced squad with backstroker Mie Nielsen (#1T, 58.73), 200 breast world record holder Rikke Moeller Pedersen and butterflyer Jeanette Ottesen (second at Worlds, 57.05; #4, 56.83).

TALK ON DECK •

Can an American freestyler make the improvements necessary to hold off Australia on the final leg?

•

Will Denmark’s talent “on paper” result in a relay medal? Can freestyler Pernille Blume (53.68 split at Europeans) be effective on the anchor leg to secure a place on the podium for the Danes?

•

Does China have the firepower on the front half of its medley relay to back up its title at World Championships from last year ?

4) 3:56.53 United States/ Pan Ams/Toronto 7-18-15 5) 3:57.61 Denmark/ World Champs/Kazan 8-9-15 6) 3:57.96 Canada/ World Champs/Kazan 8-9-15 7) 4:00.02 Great Britain/ World Champs/Kazan 8-9-15 8) 4:00.43 Japan/ World Champs/Kazan 8-9-15 9) 4:00.50 Italy/Universiade/Gwangju 7-10-15 10) 4:01.05 Russia/Junior Worlds/Singapore 8-30-15

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SWIMMING WORLD MAGAZINE / 2016 OLYMPIC SPECIAL EDITION

PREDICTIONS Gold: Australia Silver: United States Bronze: China ←

PICTURED: Australia (from left: Emma McKeon,

Emily Seebohm, Cate Campbell, Bronte Campbell) won the 400 free relay world title last year by more than two seconds.

Photo by: Maria Dobysheva

4 x100 METER FREESTYLE RELAY

BY DAVID RIEDER

Day 1: Saturday, Aug. 6

Top 5 Times from 2016: 1) 3:33.80 Netherlands/ European Champs/London 5-16-16 2) 3:37.68 Italy/ European Champs/London 5-16-16 3) 3:37.84 Sweden/ European Champs/London 5-16-16 4) 3:38.29 France/ European Champs/London 5-16-16 5) 3:39.38 Denmark/ European Champs/London 5-16-16

HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE World Record: Australia (Glasgow, 7-24-14) 3:30.98 Splits: Bronte Campbell - 53.15, Melanie Schlanger - 1:45.91 (52.76)

OVERVIEW It’s pretty difficult to imagine Australia not winning

Emma McKeon - 2:38.82 (52.91), Cate Campbell - 3:30.98 (52.16)

American Record: USA (Barcelona, 7-28-13) 3:32.31

this one. Heading into Rio, three Australians are ranked

Missy Franklin, Natalie Coughlin, Shannon Vreeland, Megan Romano

among the top four in the world in the 100 free, and four are

Olympic Record: Australia (London, 7-28-12) 3:33.15

in the top 10. The girls from Down Under won last year’s

Alicia Coutts, Cate Campbell, Brittany Elmslie, Melanie Schlanger Reigning Champion: Australia 3:33.15 Alicia Coutts, Cate Campbell, Brittany Elmslie, Melanie Schlanger Past Champions: Great Britain (1912), United States (1920), United States (1924), United States (1928), United States (1932), Netherlands

world title by more than two seconds, and they are only looking better—especially after Cate Campbell’s world record performance in the 100 free one month ago. The Netherlands and United States, consistent medal winners in

(1936), United States (1948), Hungary (1952), Australia (1956), United

this event, should battle for the silver medal. Canada, with

States (1960), United States (1964), United States (1968), United

Penny Oleksiak leading the way, could be a dark horse to

States (1972), United States (1976), East Germany (1980), United

reach the podium, as could Sweden with Sarah Sjostrom.

States (1984), East Germany (1988), United States (1992), United States (1996), United States (2000), Australia (2004), Netherlands (2008), Australia (2012)

2015-16 FINA WORLD RANKINGS Top 10 Times from 2015: 1) 3:31.48 Australia/ World Champs/Kazan 8-2-15 2) 3:33.67 Netherlands/ World Champs/Kazan 8-2-15 3) 3:34.61 United States/ World Champs/Kazan 8-2-15 4) 3:35.71 Sweden/ World Champs/Kazan 8-2-15 5) 3:36.44 Canada/ World Champs/Kazan 8-2-15 6) 3:37.16 Italy/ World Champs/Kazan 8-2-15

TALK ON DECK •

How much strategy will play into this event as to who will lead off or anchor a country’s relay?

•

Will Australia show all its cards in prelims? (Probably not.)

•

Will Abbey Weitzeil lead off or swim anchor for the USA relay?

•

How much will strategy be affected by the new rule that says all six qualifying swimmers have to swim?

•

Will prelims mean more than just qualifying for finals, or will securing a top lane in finals force a faster prelim session?

7) 3:37.39 Brazil/ Pan Ams/Toronto 7-14-15

PREDICTIONS

8) 3:37.64 China/ World Champs/Kazan 8-2-15

Gold: Australia

9) 3:38.35 France/ World Champs/Kazan 8-2-15

Silver: United States

10) 3:38.47 Japan/ World Champs/Kazan 8-2-15

Bronze: Netherlands ← SWIMMING WORLD MAGAZINE / 2016 OLYMPIC SPECIAL EDITION

53

2016 RIO OLYMPICS | EVENT - BY - EVENT PREVIEW

PICTURED: Allison Schmitt has been a fixture on USA record-setting 800 relays, including the teams that set the current American (2009) and Olympic (2012) records.

Photo by: Peter H. Bick

Top 5 Times from 2016: 1) 7:51.63 Hungary/ European Champs/London 5-19-16 2) 7:52.06 Netherlands/ Swim Cup/Eindhoven 4-6-16 3) 7:53.38 Spain/ European Champs/London 5-19-16 4) 7:53.97 Great Britain/ European Champs/London 5-19-16 5) 7:54.79 Italy/ European Champs/London 5-19-16

4 x 200 METER FREESTYLE RELAY

BY DAVID RIEDER

Day 5: Wednesday, Aug. 10

HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE World Record: China (Rome, 7-30-09) 7:42.08 Splits: Yang Yu - 1:55.47, Zhu Qianwei - 2:03.32 (1:55.79) Liu Jing - 5:47.35 (1:56.09), Pang Jiaying - 7:42.08 (1:54.73) American Record: USA (Rome, 7-30-09) 7:42.56 Dana Vollmer, Lacey Nymeyer, Ariana Kukors, Allison Schmitt Olympic Record: USA (London, 8-1-12) 7:42.92 Missy Franklin, Dana Vollmer, Shannon Vreeland, Allison Schmitt Reigning Champion: USA 7:42.92 Missy Franklin, Dana Vollmer, Shannon Vreeland, Allison Schmitt Past Champions: United States (1996), United States (2000), United States (2004), Australia (2008), United States (2012)

2015-16 FINA WORLD RANKINGS Top 10 Times from 2015:

OVERVIEW

The USA women’s 800 free relay looks formidable.

When you have the defending women’s 200 free Olympic gold medalist (Allison Schmitt) and the last two world champions (Katie Ledecky, 2015; Missy Franklin, 2013) on your side, that’s a good place to start. Add in Leah Smith, and you have four girls who currently rank among the top 16 in the world (1-11-15-16). Only China, led by Shen Duo and Qiu Yuhan, can come close (5-6-14-18). Australia has two elite 200 freestylers (Emma McKeon and Bronte Barratt), while Italy boasts world record holder Federica Pellegrini and Sweden has Sarah Sjostrom. But none of these teams can match the depth of the Americans or Chinese. This will be just the sixth time this event has been contested at the Olympics, and the Americans have won four of the five previous races, including 2012 (7:42.92).

TALK ON DECK •

Can anyone touch the Americans in the women’s 800 freestyle relay? The times on paper suggest not, but a lot can happen in the craziness of an Olympics.

•

Italy placed second at Worlds last year, but will Federica Pellegrini have enough to work with to pull off another medal performance?

•

Could the world record be threatened in this event? If all four Americans are on top form, the suit-aided WR of 7:42.08 from the 2009 World Championships doesn’t seem unreachable.

1) 7:45.37 United States/ World Champs/Kazan 8-6-15 2) 7:48.41 Italy/ World Champs/Kazan 8-6-15 3) 7:49.10 China/ World Champs/Kazan 8-6-15 4) 7:50.24 Sweden/ World Champs/Kazan 8-6-15 5) 7:50.60 Great Britain/ World Champs/Kazan 8-6-15 6) 7:51.02 Australia/ World Champs/Kazan 8-6-15

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7) 7:54.58 Japan/ World Champs/Kazan 8-6-15

PREDICTIONS

8) 7:55.08 France/ World Champs/Kazan 8-6-15

Gold: United States

9) 7:55.19 Russia/ World Champs/Kazan 8-6-15

Silver: China

10) 7:56.36 Brazil/ Pan Ams/Toronto 7-16-15

Bronze: Australia ←

SWIMMING WORLD MAGAZINE / 2016 OLYMPIC SPECIAL EDITION

PICTURED: Nathan Adrian of the United States is our pick for the silver medal. Can he step up and take down defending champion Florent Manaudou of France?

Photo by: Peter H. Bick

EVENT BY MEN’S SWIMMING

EVENT

50 METER FREESTYLE

BY DAVID RIEDER Day 7: Friday, Aug. 12

HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE World Record: Cesar Cielo, BRA (Sao Paulo, 12-18-09) 20.91 American Record: Nathan Adrian (Kazan, 8-7-15) 21.37 Olympic Record: Cesar Cielo, BRA (Beijing, 8-16-08) 21.30 Reigning Champion: Florent Manaudou, FRA 21.34 Past Champions: Matt Biondi (1988), Alexander Popov (1992), Alexander Popov (1996), Anthony Ervin/Gary Hall Jr. (2000), Gary Hall Jr. (2004), Cesar Cielo (2008), Florent Manaudou (2012)

2016 FINA WORLD RANKINGS (as of July 17) 1) 21.42 Florent Manaudou, FRA/ Elite Champs/Montpellier 4-3-16

OVERVIEW

Florent Manaudou’s Olympic gold medal in this event four years ago shocked the world, but no one would be surprised to see the 6-6 Frenchman do the same in Rio. This year’s top-ranked swimmer (21.42) won last year’s world title in 21.19, touching ahead of the USA’s Nathan Adrian (21.52), who has a 21.51 for the world’s third fastest time in 2016. In between Manaudou and Adrian is Cameron McEvoy (#2, 21.44), who has a good opportunity to win double gold in the 50 and 100. The USA’s Anthony Ervin finished fifth four years ago and has the world’s fourth fastest time this year (21.52). And the home crowd will be cheering mightily for Brazil’s Bruno Fratus, who placed fourth in London and captured the bronze medal in Kazan (21.55).

TALK ON DECK •

The start can propel someone to gold—such as Florent Manaudou four years ago or Cesar Cielo in 2008. Or it can cripple his chances in a race so short. How will the start impact the final?

•

Bruno Fratus figures to be one of Brazil’s best individual medal hopes. Can the home crowd propel him to a podium finish?

•

Could the gold medalist in the 100 free (Day 5) carry over momentum for a big swim in the 50 (Day 7)?

2) 21.44 Cameron McEvoy, AUS/ AUS Champs/Adelaide 4-12-16 3) 21.51 Nathan Adrian, USA/ U.S. Trials/Omaha 7-2-16 4) 21.52 Anthony Ervin, USA/ U.S. Trials/Omaha 7-2-16 5) 21.61 Andrii Govorov, UKR/ Mare Nostrum/Barcelona 6-12-16 6) 21.65 Benjamin Proud, GBR/ British Champs/Glasgow 4-16-16 7) 21.69 Vladimir Morozov, RUS/ Russian Nationals/Moscow 4-16-16

PREDICTIONS

8) 21.74 Bruno Fratus, BRA/ Maria Lenk/Rio de Janeiro 4-20-16

Gold: Florent Manaudou, France

9) 21.75 Cullen Jones, USA/ U.S. Trials/Omaha 7-2-16

Silver: Nathan Adrian, USA

10) 21.76 Caeleb Dressel, USA/ U.S. Trials/Omaha 7-1-16

Bronze: Cameron McEvoy, Australia ← SWIMMING WORLD MAGAZINE / 2016 OLYMPIC SPECIAL EDITION

55

2016 RIO OLYMPICS | EVENT - BY - EVENT PREVIEW

PICTURED: Cameron McEvoy of Australia, who boasts the fastest time in the 100 this year by 7-tenths of a second, is poised to win gold and possibly break the world record.

Photo by: Swimming Australia

8) 48.03 Kyle Chalmers, AUS/ AUS Champs/Adelaide 4-10-16

100 METER FREESTYLE

BY DAVID RIEDER

Day 5: Wednesday, Aug. 10

HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE World Record: Cesar Cielo, BRA (Rome, 7-30-09) 46.91 Splits: 22.17, 46.91 (24.74) American Record: David Walters (Rome, 7-30-09) 47.33 Olympic Record: Eamon Sullivan, AUS (Beijing, 8-13-08) 47.05 Reigning Champion: Nathan Adrian, USA 47.52 Past Champions: Alfred Hajos (1896), Charles Daniels (1908), Duke Kahanamoku (1912), Duke Kahanamoku (1920), Johnny Weissmuller (1924), Johnny Weissmuller (1928), Yasuji Miyazaki (1932), Ferenc Csik (1936), Walter Ris (1948), Clarke Scholes (1952), Jon Henricks (1956), John Devitt (1960), Don Schollander (1964), Michael Wenden (1968), Mark Spitz (1972), Jim Montgomery (1976), Jorg Woithe (1980), Rowdy Gaines (1984), Matt Biondi

9) 48.06 Vladimir Morozov, RUS/ Russian Nationals/Moscow 4-16-16 10) 48.09 Santo Condorelli, CAN/ Canadian Trials/Toronto 4-8-16

OVERVIEW

Cameron McEvoy, last summer’s silver medalist at Worlds (47.95), looks like the man to beat after his stunning 47.04 at Australia’s Olympic Trials last April. He currently ranks 7-tenths of a second faster than what anyone else has swum this year, and the time is the second fastest all-time behind Brazil’s Cesar Cielo’s suit-aided world record of 46.91 in 2009. But defending Olympic gold medalist Nathan Adrian swam his best time in four years at U.S. Trials last month (47.72, just 2-tenths off his gold medal-winning time in London). China’s Ning Zetao was the surprising world champion (47.84), while France boasts two medal contenders in Jeremy Stravius and Florent Manaudou.

TALK ON DECK •

Does Cameron McEvoy have more in the tank—perhaps enough to take down the world record? Or will he struggle to maintain his form from earlier this year?

•

Ning Zetao, the Asian record holder in the men’s 100 freestyle (47.65 from October 2014) became the first Chinese male to win the 100 free at the World Championships (47.84 last year in Kazan). Can he also become the first Chinese male to win this event at the Olympics?

•

How many men will go under 48 seconds? Will that be what it takes to make the final?

(1988), Alexander Popov (1992), Alexander Popov (1996), Pieter van den Hoogenband (2000), Pieter van den Hoogenband (2004), Alain Bernard (2008), Nathan Adrian (2012)

2016 FINA WORLD RANKINGS (as of July 17) 1) 47.04 Cameron McEvoy, AUS/ AUS Champs/Adelaide 4-10-16 2) 47.72 Nathan Adrian, USA/ U.S. Trials/Omaha 6-30-16 3) 47.96 Ning Zetao, CHN/ Chinese Nationals/Foshan 4-3-16 3) 47.96 Luca Dotto, ITA/ Spring Champs/Riccione 4-19-16 5) 47.97 Jeremy Stravius, FRA/ Elite Champs/Montpellier 4-1-16

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PREDICTIONS

Gold: Cameron McEvoy, Australia

6) 48.00 Florent Manaudou, FRA/ FFN Golden Tour/Marseille 3-6-16

Silver: Nathan Adrian, USA

7) 48.01 Clement Mignon, FRA/ Elite Champs/Montpellier 4-1-16

Bronze: Ning Zetao, China ←

SWIMMING WORLD MAGAZINE / 2016 OLYMPIC SPECIAL EDITION

PICTURED: James Guy of Great Britain won the 200 free at Worlds last year and is our pick to do the same in Rio. Photo by: R-Sport / MIA Rossiya Segodnya

200 METER FREESTYLE

BY DAVID RIEDER

Day 3: Monday, Aug. 8

HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE World Record: Paul Biedermann, GER (Rome, 7-28-09) 1:42.00 Splits: 24.23, 50.12 (25.89), 1:16.30 (26.18), 1:42.00 (25.70) American Record: Michael Phelps (Beijing, 8-12-08) 1:42.96 Olympic Record: Michael Phelps, USA (Beijing, 8-12-08) 1:42.96 Reigning Champion: Yannick Agnel, FRA 1:43.14 Past Champions: Fred Lane (1900), Michael Wenden (1968), Mark Spitz (1972), Bruce Furniss (1976), Sergey Kopliakov (1980), Michael

OVERVIEW

Great Britain’s James Guy was the surprising gold medalist at the World Championships last year, but he’ll be one of this year’s favorites, along with China’s Sun Yang— the only man under 1:45 this season. With no one even approaching the 1:43.14 that France’s Yannick Agnel swam to win Olympic gold in London, it seems unlikely that this year’s gold medal-winning time will be under 1:44. But the final will be very close, with a time of under 1:46 needed to make the top eight. Agnel will return to defend his Olympic title after a controversial third-place finish at France’s Olympic Trials. And it’ll be interesting to watch Germany’s Paul Biedermann—he’s the world record holder (1:42.00, set in 2009 at Worlds in a high-tech suit), but he’s never won an Olympic medal.

Gross (1984), Duncan Armstrong (1988), Evgeniy Sadovyi (1992), Danyon Loader (1996), Pieter van den Hoogenband (2000), Ian Thorpe (2004), Michael Phelps (2008), Yannick Agnel (2012)

2016 FINA WORLD RANKINGS (as of July 17) 1) 1:44.82 Sun Yang, CHN/ Arena Pro Swim/Santa Clara 6-3-16

TALK ON DECK •

Can James Guy continue his unlikely rise in the men’s 200 free? Last year, Guy and teammate Adam Peaty became the first British men to win world titles since Liam Tancock won the 50 back in 2007.

•

Will Yannick Agnel be in the mix? The defending Olympic gold medalist has struggled in recent years, and he just did sneak onto the French Olympic team, but having that experience will certainly be a benefit in Rio.

•

What do the Americans have left in the tank? Townley Haas and especially Conor Dwyer should be able to improve on their 1:45.6s from U.S. Trials, but will it be enough to contend for a medal?

2) 1:45.19 James Guy, GBR/ British Champs/Glasgow 4-17-16 3) 1:45.41 Conor Dwyer, USA/ Arena Pro Swim/Santa Clara 6-3-16 4) 1:45.45 Paul Biedermann, GER/ German Champs/Berlin 5-5-16 5) 1:45.50 Kosuke Hagino, JPN/ Japan Swim/Tokyo 4-6-16 6) 1:45.63 Thomas Fraser-Holmes, AUS/ AUS Champs/Adelaide 4-8-16 6) 1:45.63 Cameron McEvoy, AUS/ AUS Champs/Adelaide 4-8-16 8) 1:45.66 Townley Haas, USA/ U.S. Trials/Omaha 6-28-16

PREDICTIONS Gold: James Guy, Great Britain

9) 1:45.77 Jack Conger, USA/ U.S. Trials/Omaha 6-28-16

Silver: Sun Yang, China

10) 1:45.87 Sebastiaan Verschuren, NED/ European Champs 5-16-16

Bronze: Conor Dwyer, USA ← SWIMMING WORLD MAGAZINE / 2016 OLYMPIC SPECIAL EDITION

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2016 RIO OLYMPICS | EVENT - BY - EVENT PREVIEW

PICTURED: Sun Yang of China will try to become only the third swimmer in Olympic history to win back-to-back titles in the 400, joining Ian Thorpe (2000-04) and Murray Rose (1956-60).

Photo by: Swimming Australia

8) 3:44.89 Florian Vogel, GER/ German Champs/Berlin 5-5-16

400 METER FREESTYLE

BY DAVID RIEDER

Day 1: Saturday, Aug. 6

HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE World Record: Paul Biedermann, GER (Rome, 7-26-09) 3:40.07 Splits: 26.29, 54.42 (28.13), 1:22.43 (28.01), 1:51.02 (28.59) 2:18.78 (27.76), 2:47.17 (28.39), 3:14.30 (27.13), 3:40.07 (25.77) American Record: Larsen Jensen (Beijing, 8-10-08) 3:42.78 Olympic Record: Sun Yang, CHN (London, 7-28-12) 3:40.14 Reigning Champion: Sun Yang, CHN 3:40.14 Past Champions: Henry Taylor (1908), George Hodgson (1912), Norman Ross (1920), Johnny Weissmuller (1924), Alberto Zorrilla

9) 3:45.04 Townley Haas, USA/ U.S. Trials/Omaha 6-26-16 10) 3:45.09 David McKeon, AUS/ AUS Champs/Adelaide 4-7-16

OVERVIEW

Sun Yang is the defending Olympic gold medalist and has won the past two titles at the World Championships, but China’s superstar looks like he will have a real challenge in this wide-open field. Mack Horton of Australia has been the big scorcher so far this year with the 3:41.65 he posted back in April, and James Guy of Great Britain was the silver medalist behind Sun in the 400 free at Worlds and the surprise world champion in the 200. American Connor Jaeger finishes better than anyone else in the field, and there are a host of other candidates who could make it to the podium. You shouldn’t be surprised by anything that might happen in this race!

(1928), Buster Crabbe (1932), Jack Medica (1936), William Smith (1948), Jean Boiteux (1952), Murray Rose (1956), Murray Rose (1960), Don Schollander (1964), Mike Burton (1968), Brad Cooper

TALK ON DECK •

Can Sun Yang defend his Olympic gold medal after years of controversy that has included a doping suspension and a mysterious withdrawal from the 1500 free final at the World Championships?

•

Can Mack Horton back it up at a big meet? He entered last year’s World Championships as a medal favorite, but failed to make the final in either the 400 or 1500.

•

Can an American win a medal in the men’s 400 free for the fifth straight Olympic Games? Klete Keller (2000, 2004), Larsen Jensen (2008) and Peter Vanderkaay (2012) all won bronze medals. In Rio, Connor Jaeger and Conor Dwyer will be looking to keep the streak alive.

(1972), Brian Goodell (1976), Vladimir Salnikov (1980), George DiCarlo (1984), Uwe Dassler (1988), Evgeniy Sadovyi (1992), Danyon Loader (1996), Ian Thorpe (2000), Ian Thorpe (2004), Tae-Hwan Park (2008), Sun Yang (2012)

2016 FINA WORLD RANKINGS (as of July 17) 1) 3:41.65 Mack Horton, AUS/ AUS Champs/Adelaide 4-7-16 2) 3:43.55 Sun Yang, CHN/ Arena Pro Swim/Santa Clara 6-4-16 3) 3:43.79 Connor Jaeger, USA/ U.S. Trials/Omaha 6-26-16 4) 3:43.84 James Guy, GBR/ British Champs/Glasgow 4-12-16 5) 3:43.97 Gabriele Detti, ITA/ Spring Champs/Riccione 4-21-16 6) 3:44.26 Tae Hwan Park, KOR/ Dong-A Meet/Gwangju 4-25-16 7) 3:44.66 Conor Dwyer, USA/ U.S. Trials/Omaha 6-26-16

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SWIMMING WORLD MAGAZINE / 2016 OLYMPIC SPECIAL EDITION

PREDICTIONS Gold: James Guy, Great Britain Silver: Sun Yang, China Bronze: Mack Horton, Australia ←

PICTURED: In the last seven Olympic Games, the United States has won only two of the 21 medals awarded. Connor Jaeger, last year’s silver medalist at Worlds, will try to bring the total to three.

Photo by: Peter H. Bick

4) 14:47.61 Connor Jaeger, USA/ U.S. Trials/Omaha 7-3-16 5) 14:48.60 Jack McLoughlin, AUS/ AUS Champs/Adelaide 4-13-16 6) 14:49.19 Jordan Wilimovsky, USA/ U.S. Trials/Omaha 7-3-16 7) 14:50.33 Mykhailo Romanchuk, UKR/ European Champs 5-16-16 8) 14:53.77 Henrik Christiansen, NOR/ Swim Open/Stockholm 3-31-16

1500 METER FREESTYLE

BY DAVID RIEDER

9) 14:54.55 Gergely Gyurta, HUN/ Hungarian Champs/Gyor 4-15-16 10) 14:55.23 Timothy Shuttleworth, GBR/ British Champs 4-16-16

Day 8: Saturday, Aug. 13

HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE World Record: Sun Yang, CHN (London, 8-4-12) 14:31.02 Splits: 27.09, 55.80 (28.71), 1:25.26 (29.46), 1:54.31 (29.95) 2:23.66 (29.35), 2:52.63 (28.97), 3:22.16 (29.53), 3:51.50 (29.34) 4:20.73 (29.23), 4:49.62 (28.89), 5:18.88 (29.26), 5:48.15 (29.27) 6:17.40 (29.25), 6:46.74 (29.34), 7:16.15 (29.41), 7:45.45 (29.30) 8:14.94 (29.49), 8:44.32 (29.38), 9:13.78 (29.46), 9:43.10 (29.32) 10:12.52 (29.42), 10:41.73 (29.21), 11:11.27 (29.54), 11:40.64 (29.37) 12:09.81 (29.17), 12:39.00 (29.19), 13:08.39 (29.39), 13:37.53 (29.14) 14:05.34 (27.81), 14:31.02 (25.68) American Record: Connor Jaeger (Kazan, 8-9-15) 14:41.20 Olympic Record: Sun Yang, CHN (London, 8-4-12) 14:31.02 Reigning Champion: Sun Yang, CHN 14:31.02

OVERVIEW

A year ago, Gregorio Paltrinieri (Italy) took advantage of world record holder Sun Yang’s (China) absence to win a world title in the mile (14:39.67), but this time, he will be the favorite on his own merits. The Italian won the European title last May in 14:34.04, the second fastest time in history behind Sun’s 14:31.02 from London four years ago. Australia’s Mack Horton clocked 14:39.54 at the Australian Championships in April, and the USA’s Connor Jaeger (#4, 14:47.61) will hope to get on the Olympic podium after finishing second behind Paltrinieri in Kazan last year (14:41.20). Canada’s Ryan Cochrane (third at Worlds, 14:51.08) is back for one more go after two straight Olympic medals in this event, and Italy’s Gabriele Detti has the world’s third fastest time this year (14:46.48).

Past Champions: Henry Taylor (1908), George Hodgson (1912), Norman Ross (1920), Andrew Charlton (1924), Arne Borg (1928),

TALK ON DECK •

Sun Yang has not consistently swum an elite-level mile in years, so does he have the kind of resurgence needed to win gold...or even a medal in Rio?

•

What kind of factor will Ryan Cochrane have in the men’s 1500? He has not broken 15 minutes yet this year (#18, 15:00.75, at the Canadian Trials in April), but he’s won a medal in the 1500 at every major international meet since 2008.

Ous Mellouli (2008), Sun Yang (2012)

•

How many men will go under 14:40? Will it just be the medalists?

2016 FINA WORLD RANKINGS (as of July 17)

PREDICTIONS

1) 14:34.04 Gregorio Paltrinieri, ITA/ European Champs 5-16-16 2) 14:39.54 Mack Horton, AUS/ AUS Champs/Adelaide 4-13-16 3) 14:46.48 Gabriele Detti, ITA/ Spring Champs/Riccione 4-19-16

Gold: Gregorio Paltrinieri, Italy

Kusuo Kitamura (1932), Noboru Terada (1936), James McLane (1948), Ford Konno (1952), Murray Rose (1956), John Konrads (1960), Bob Windle (1964), Mike Burton (1968), Mike Burton (1972), Brian Goodell (1976), Vladimir Salnikov (1980), Michael O’Brien (1984), Vladimir Salnikov (1988), Kieren Perkins (1992), Kieren Perkins (1996), Grant Hackett (2000), Grant Hackett (2004),

Silver: Sun Yang, China Bronze: Connor Jaeger, USA ← SWIMMING WORLD MAGAZINE / 2016 OLYMPIC SPECIAL EDITION

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2016 RIO OLYMPICS | EVENT - BY - EVENT PREVIEW

PICTURED: Can Ryan Murphy keep the USA backstroke gold medal streak alive? We think so...he’s our pick for gold.

Photo by: Peter H. Bick

100 METER BACKSTROKE

BY DAVID RIEDER

Day 3: Monday, Aug. 8

HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE World Record: Aaron Peirsol, USA (Indianapolis, 7-8-09) 51.94 Splits: 25.35, 51.94 (26.59) American Record: Aaron Peirsol (Indianapolis, 7-8-09) 51.94 Olympic Record: Matt Grevers, USA (London, 7-30-12) 52.16 Reigning Champion: Matt Grevers, USA 52.16 Past Champions: Arno Bieberstein (1908), Harry Hebner (1912), Warren Kealoha (1920), Warren Kealoha (1924), George Kojac (1928),

OVERVIEW

The men’s 100 back features two young backstrokers who have charged to the front of the world rankings over the past two years (the USA’s Ryan Murphy and Australia’s Mitch Larkin), a veteran returning after narrowly missing the Olympic podium four years ago (France’s Camille Lacourt), a 30-year-old making his Olympic debut (American David Plummer) and the Olympic bronze medalist from London (Japan’s Ryosuke Irie). From such an impressive list of medal hopefuls, Larkin could have the edge after he was the world champion in both the 100 and 200 backstroke last year. But everyone will see him coming this time around, and he’ll have to deal with Murphy and Plummer, who both excelled at the U.S. Olympic Trials last month, knocking defending gold medalist Matt Grevers off of the Olympic team.

Masaji Kiyokawa (1932), Adolph Kiefer (1936), Allen Stack (1948), Yoshinobu Oyakawa (1952), David Theile (1956), David Theile (1960), Roland Matthes (1968), Roland Matthes (1972), John Naber

TALK ON DECK •

Can the Americans win a sixth straight Olympic gold medal in this event? Jeff Rouse (1996), Lenny Krayzelburg (2000), Aaron Peirsol (2004 and 2008) and Matt Grevers (2012) have combined to win the previous five. The U.S. also has gone 1-2 in the event in 2008 (Peirsol and Grevers) and 2012 (Grevers and Nick Thoman).

•

Will Camille Lacourt fulfill his potential on the Olympic stage?

Four years ago, he entered the London Games as the defending world champion and third-fastest swimmer in history, but he faded to fourth in the final.

•

Can anyone touch Aaron Peirsol’s world record? Mitch Larkin, David Plummer and Ryan Murphy have all come close to breaking 52 seconds over the past year, but 51.94 has eluded their reach. That could change in Rio.

(1976), Bengt Baron (1980), Rick Carey (1984), Daichi Suzuki (1988), Mark Tewksbury (1992), Jeff Rouse (1996), Lenny Krayzelburg (2000), Aaron Peirsol (2004), Aaron Peirsol (2008), Matt Grevers (2012)

2016 FINA WORLD RANKINGS (as of July 17) 1) 52.12 David Plummer, USA/U.S. Trials/Omaha 6-27-16 2) 52.26 Ryan Murphy, USA/U.S. Trials/Omaha 6-28-16 3) 52.54 Mitch Larkin, AUS/AUS Champs/Adelaide 4-8-16 4) 52.64 Matt Grevers, USA/U.S. Trials/Omaha 6-27-16 5) 52.95 Jacob Pebley, USA/U.S. Trials/Omaha 6-28-16 6) 52.97 Camille Lacourt, FRA/Elite Champs/Montpellier 4-2-16 7) 52.98 Xu Jiayu, CHN/Chinese Nationals/Foshan 4-3-16

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PREDICTIONS

8) 53.03 Grigory Tarasevich, RUS/Russian Nationals/Moscow 4-16-16

Gold: Ryan Murphy, USA

9) 53.04 Evgeny Rylov, RUS/Russian Nationals/Moscow 4-16-16

Silver: Mitch Larkin, Australia

10) 53.10 Guilherme Guido, BRA/Maria Lenk/Rio de Janeiro 4-16-16

Bronze: David Plummer, USA ←

SWIMMING WORLD MAGAZINE / 2016 OLYMPIC SPECIAL EDITION

PICTURED: Mitch Larkin of Australia, last year’s world champion in the 100 and 200 back, will be the main man standing in the way of the Americans’ quest to win six straight gold medals in both backstrokes.

Photo by: Steve Christo/ Swimming Australia

200 METER BACKSTROKE

BY DAVID RIEDER

Day 6: Thursday, Aug. 11

HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE World Record: Aaron Peirsol, USA (Rome, 7-31-09) 1:51.92 Splits: 26.52, 54.90 (28.38), 1:23.30 (28.40), 1:51.92 (28.62) American Record: Aaron Peirsol (Rome, 7-31-09) 1:51.92 Olympic Record: Tyler Clary, USA (London, 8-2-12) 1:53.41 Reigning Champion: Tyler Clary, USA 1:53.41 Past Champions: Ernst Hoppenberg (1900), Jed Graef (1964), Roland Matthes (1968), Roland Matthes (1972), John Naber (1976), Sandor Wladar (Hungary), Rick Carey (1984), Igor Polianski (1988), Martin Zubero (1992), Brad Bridgewater

OVERVIEW

The men’s 200 back has become more and more competitive over the past few years, with several swimmers clocking 1:54 this year. China’s Xu Jiayu (1:54.79) and Russia’s Evgeny Rylov (1:54.21) are among the newcomers.

Poland’s Radoslaw Kawecki (silver medalist last year at Worlds, 1:54.55) and Japan’s Ryosuke Irie (fourth at Worlds, 1:54.81) are among the veterans. But they’ll have to go even faster to battle for gold. Right now, the same two swimmers who will be battling for gold in the 100 back will be the favorites in the 200. The first is Australia’s Mitch Larkin, who won the world title in Kazan in 1:53.58 and leads this year’s world rankings at 1:53.90. Close behind is the USA’s Ryan Murphy, who became the sixth man ever to break the 1:54 barrier at the U.S. Trials last month with his 1:53.95.

(1996), Lenny Krayzelburg (2000), Aaron Peirsol (2004), Ryan Lochte (2008), Tyler Clary (2012)

TALK ON DECK •

The United States has won five straight Olympic gold medals in the men’s 200 back—just as they have in the 100 back. In the 200, Americans Brad Bridgewater (1996), Lenny Krayzelburg (2000), Aaron Peirsol (2004), Ryan Lochte (2008) and Tyler Clary (2012) have won gold. Will Ryan Murphy be the sixth?

•

Will Ryosuke Irie be making a medal run in Rio? He’s the defending Olympic silver medalist and No. 2 performer all-time, but he has not been at his best since London four years ago.

•

What will it take to make the final of this event? With five men already having been 1:54 or faster this year, it appears that the eighth-place time will be very fast.

2016 FINA WORLD RANKINGS (as of July 17) 1) 1:53.90 Mitch Larkin, AUS/ AUS Champs/Adelaide 4-11-16 2) 1:53.95 Ryan Murphy, USA/ U.S. Trials/Omaha 7-1-16 3) 1:54.21 Evgeny Rylov, RUS/ Russian Nationals/Moscow 4-16-16 4) 1:54.77 Jacob Pebley, USA/ U.S. Trials/Omaha 7-1-16 5) 1:54.79 Xu Jiayu, CHN/ Chinese Nationals/Foshan 4-3-16 6) 1:55.33 Tyler Clary, USA/ U.S. Trials/Omaha 7-1-16 7) 1:55.89 Ryosuke Irie, JPN/ Japan Open/Tokyo 5-21-16 8) 1:55.98 Radoslaw Kawecki, POL/ European Champs/London 5-16-16

PREDICTIONS Gold: Mitch Larkin, Australia

9) 1:56.01 Jan-Philip Glania, GER/ German Champs/Berlin 5-5-16

Silver: Ryan Murphy, USA

10) 1:56.10 Kosuke Hagino, JPN/ Konami Open/Tokyo 2-19-16

Bronze: Radoslaw Kawecki, Poland ← SWIMMING WORLD MAGAZINE / 2016 OLYMPIC SPECIAL EDITION

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2016 RIO OLYMPICS | EVENT - BY - EVENT PREVIEW

PICTURED: Adam Peaty of Great Britain: WR holder, world champ, only swimmer under 58, more than a half-second faster than anyone else has ever swum...who do you think should be the 100 breast favorite?

Photo by: Joao Marc Bosch

100 METER BREASTSTROKE

BY DAVID RIEDER

Day 2: Sunday, Aug. 7

HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE World Record: Adam Peaty, GBR (London, 4-17-15) 57.92 Splits: 27.04, 57.92 (30.88) American Record: Kevin Cordes (Omaha, 6-26-16) 58.94 Olympic Record: Cameron van der Burgh, RSA (London, 7-29-12) 58.46 Reigning Champion: Cameron van der Burgh, RSA 58.46 Past Champions: Don McKenzie (1968), Nobutaka Taguchi (1972), John Hencken (1976), Duncan Goodhew (1980), Steve Lundquist

OVERVIEW

Any conversation about the men’s 100 breast begins and ends with Great Britain’s Adam Peaty. He won the event at last year’s World Championships, taking down Olympic gold medalist Cameron van der Burgh of South Africa in the process. Peaty is the only man ever to break 58 seconds in the event, and no one has swum within a half-second of his lifetime best. Van der Burgh should be the favorite for silver, followed by a close battle for bronze among Peaty’s countryman, Ross Murdoch, and both Americans—Kevin Cordes and Cody Miller. This could also be a good opportunity for host Brazil to get involved in the medal race, as João Gomes Junior and Felipe França da Silva rank among the world’s top five.

TALK ON DECK •

(2004), Kosuke Kitajima (2008), Cameron van der Burgh (2012)

Will this race be a blowout win for Adam Peaty, or can Cameron van der Burgh stay close to him? Peaty’s best time going in is more than a half-second better than anyone else has ever swum— and the Brit could be in position to lower his world record.

•

2016 FINA WORLD RANKINGS (as of July 17)

Will the British breaststroke revolution continue? Adam Peaty and Ross Murdoch finished 1-3 in the event at Worlds last year.

Can they produce similar results in Rio?

•

Can Kevin Cordes or Cody Miller break the American drought in men’s breaststroke? No American other than Brendan Hansen has won a major international medal since 2001. And the last time the U.S. captured Olympic gold was in 1992 (100 breast, Nelson Diebel; 200 breast, Mike Barrowman). It will likely take much faster than Cordes’ American record time of 58.94 to win a medal in Rio.

(1984), Adrian Moorhouse (1988), Nelson Diebel (1992), Fred DeBurghgraeve (1996), Domenico Fioravanti (2000), Kosuke Kitajima

1) 58.36 Adam Peaty, GBR/ European Champs/London 5-16-16 2) 58.94 Kevin Cordes, USA/ U.S. Trials/Omaha 6-26-16 3) 59.06 João Gomes, BRA/ Maria Lenk/Rio de Janeiro 4-15-16 4) 59.09 Cody Miller, USA/ U.S. Trials/Omaha 6-26-16 5) 59.26 Felipe França da Silva, BRA/ Mare Nostrum/Barcelona 6-11-16 6) 59.31 Ross Murdoch, GBR/ British Champs/Glasgow 4-12-16

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7) 59.60 Josh Prenot, USA/ U.S. Trials/Omaha 6-26-16

PREDICTIONS

7) 59.60 Wang Lizhuo, CHN/ Summer Nationals/Ganzhou 6-6-16

Gold: Adam Peaty, Great Britain

9) 59.61 Cameron van der Burgh, RSA/ Swim Open/Stockholm 3-31-16

Silver: Cameron van der Burgh, South Africa

10) 59.62 Kosuke Kitajima, JPN/ Japan Swim/Tokyo 4-4-16

Bronze: Kevin Cordes, USA ←

SWIMMING WORLD MAGAZINE / 2016 OLYMPIC SPECIAL EDITION

PICTURED: Josh Prenot of the United States is the second fastest swimmer ever in the 200 breast and only 16-hundredths shy of the world record.

Photo by: Peter H. Bick

200 METER BREASTSTROKE

BY DAVID RIEDER

Day 5: Wednesday, Aug. 10

OVERVIEW While there are several medal contenders in the men’s 200 breast, events from the U.S. Olympic Trials introduced a new favorite: Josh Prenot. The Cal-Berkeley grad stormed home on the last 50 to post a 2:07.17, an American record and the second fastest time in history. His time was more than a half-second faster than anyone else has swum this year. But Prenot will still have formidable competition from world champion Marco Koch of Germany, along with fellow American Kevin Cordes, Japan’s Yasuhiro Koseki and Great Britain’s Andrew Willis. And don’t forget about defending Olympic gold medalist and former world record holder Daniel Gyurta of Hungary, a force on the international stage in this event since the 2004 Olympics.

Japan’s Akihiro Yamaguchi’s world record of 2:07.01 has

HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE World Record: Akihiro Yamaguchi, JPN (Gifu, 9-5-12) 2:07.01 Splits: 29.16, 1:01.72 (32.56), 1:34.78 (33.06), 2:07.01 (32.23) American Record: Josh Prenot (Omaha, 6-30-16) 2:07.17 Olympic Record: Daniel Gyurta, HUN (London, 8-1-12) 2:07.28 Reigning Champion: Daniel Gyurta, HUN 2:07.28 Past Champions: Frederick Holman (1908), Walter Bathe (1912), Hakan Malmrot (1920), Robert Skelton (1924), Yoshiyuki Tsuruta (1928), Yoshiyuki Tsuruta (1932), Tetsuo Hamuro (1936), Joe Verdeur (1948), John Davies (1952), Masaru Furukawa (1956), William Mulliken (1960), Ian O’Brien (1964), Felipe Muñoz (1968), John Hencken (1972), David Wilkie (1976), Robertas Zulpa (1980), Victor Davis (1984), Jozsef Szabo (1988), Mike Barrowman (1992), Norbert Rozsa (1996), Domenico Fioravanti (2000), Kosuke

remained unbroken since 2012, but it will likely fall in Rio.

Kitajima (2004), Kosuke Kitajima (2008), Daniel Gyurta (2012)

TALK ON DECK 2016 FINA WORLD RANKINGS (as of July 17) 1) 2:07.17 Josh Prenot, USA/ U.S. Trials/Omaha 6-30-16 2) 2:07.69 Marco Koch, GER/ Euro Meet/Luxembourg 1-30-16 3) 2:07.81 Kevin Cordes, USA/ U.S. Trials/Omaha 6-29-16 4) 2:08.08 Andrew Willis, GBR/ British Champs/Glasgow 4-15-16 5) 2:08.14 Yasuhiro Koseki, JPN/ Japan Swim/Tokyo 4-8-16

•

Can Josh Prenot back up his excellent swim from U.S. Trials?

He will need another sub-33 final split to win the gold medal.

•

Will someone such as Yasuhiro Koseki or Kevin Cordes try to set the early pace, but end up fading down the stretch?

•

Will a swimmer—or even multiple swimmers—crack the 2:07 barrier?

5) 2:08.14 Will Licon, USA/ U.S. Trials/Omaha 6-30-16 7) 2:08.33 Ross Murdoch, GBR/ European Champs/London 5-16-16

PREDICTIONS

8) 2:08.53 Anton Chupkov, RUS/ Meeting International/Canet 6-9-16

Gold: Josh Prenot, USA Silver: Marco Koch, Germany Bronze: Daniel Gyurta, Hungary ←

9) 2:08.83 Ippei Watanabe, JPN/ Japan Swim/Tokyo 4-7-16 10) 2:09.07 Craig Benson, GBR/ British Champs/Glasgow 4-15-16

SWIMMING WORLD MAGAZINE / 2016 OLYMPIC SPECIAL EDITION

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2016 RIO OLYMPICS | EVENT - BY - EVENT PREVIEW

PICTURED: Can Michael Phelps of the United States add to his already legendary status? He’s our favorite to win the gold.

Photo by: Peter H. Bick

100 METER BUTTERFLY

BY DAVID RIEDER

Day 7: Friday, Aug. 12

HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE World Record: Michael Phelps, USA (Rome, 8-1-09) 49.82 Splits: 23.36, 49.82 (26.46) American Record: Michael Phelps (Rome, 8-1-09) 49.82 Olympic Record: Michael Phelps, USA (Beijing, 8-16-08) 50.58 Reigning Champion: Michael Phelps, USA 51.21 Past Champions: Doug Russell (1968), Mark Spitz (1972), Matt Vogel (1976), Par Arvidsson (1980), Michael Gross (1984), Anthony Nesty (1988), Pablo Morales (1992), Denis Pankratov (1996), Lars Frolander (2000), Michael Phelps (2004), Michael Phelps (2008),

OVERVIEW

The men’s 100 fly marks the second shot for the USA’s Michael Phelps to win his fourth-straight Olympic gold in the same event (the first is the 200 IM on Day 6), but to do it, he will have to get by South Africa’s Chad le Clos, Hungary’s Laszlo Cseh and Singapore’s Joseph Schooling— the trio that made up the World Championships medal podium last year with respective times of 50.56, 50.87 and 50.96.

Cseh is the only one to clock under 51 seconds this year with a 50.86 at the European Championships in May, but Phelps’ 51.00 ranks second in the world in 2016. Behind Phelps in the world rankings are three swimmers competing at Rio who are separated by only 4-hundredths of a second: teammate Tom Shields (51.20), Poland’s Konrad Czerniak (51.22) and China’s Li Zhuhao (51.24).

Michael Phelps (2012)

TALK ON DECK 2016 FINA WORLD RANKINGS (as of July 17)

•

Michael Phelps has won three gold medals in a row in this event, and all have been in come-from-behind fashion. In fact, the first two margins of victory were by a combined 5-hundredths of a second! Will the magic continue?

•

How fast can Joseph Schooling go? His short course yards times indicate that he might have a massive drop coming.

•

Can anyone crack the 50.40 that American Ian Crocker swam to win the 2005 title at Worlds? That time has never been bettered without the use of high-tech bodysuits.

1) 50.86 Laszlo Cseh, HUN/ European Champs/London 5-16-16 2) 51.00 Michael Phelps, USA/ U.S. Trials/Omaha 7-2-16 3) 51.20 Tom Shields, USA/ U.S. Trials/Omaha 7-2-16 4) 51.22 Konrad Czerniak, POL/ European Champs/London 5-16-16 5) 51.24 Li Zhuhao, CHN/ Chinese Nationals/Foshan 4-3-16 5) 51.24 Seth Stubblefield, USA/ U.S. Trials/Omaha 7-2-16 7) 51.26 Jack Conger, USA/ U.S.Trials/Omaha 7-2-16 8) 51.28 Tim Phillips, USA/ U.S. Trials/Omaha 7-1-16 9) 51.42 Piero Codia, ITA/ Spring Champs/Riccione 4-20-16 10) 51.50 Alexander Sadovnikov, RUS/ Russian Nationals/Moscow 4-16-16

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SWIMMING WORLD MAGAZINE / 2016 OLYMPIC SPECIAL EDITION

PREDICTIONS

Gold: Michael Phelps, USA Silver: Chad le Clos, South Africa Bronze: Joseph Schooling, Singapore ←

PICTURED: Chad le Clos of South Africa was the upset winner over Michael Phelps four years ago in London. Rio will be the first opportunity for the two swimmers to race head-to-head since then.

Photo by: Anesh Debiky/Swimming South Africa

200 METER BUTTERFLY

BY DAVID RIEDER

Day 4: Tuesday, Aug. 9

HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE World Record: Michael Phelps, USA (Rome, 7-29-09) 1:51.51 Splits: 24.76, 52.88 (28.12), 1:21.93 (29.05), 1:51.51 (29.58) American Record: Michael Phelps, USA (Rome, 7-29-09) 1:51.51 Olympic Record: Michael Phelps, USA (Beijing, 8-13-08) 1:52.03 Reigning Champion: Chad le Clos, RSA 1:52.96 Past Champions: William Yorzyk (1956), Mike Troy (1960), Kevin Berry (1964), Carl Robie (1968), Mark Spitz (1972), Mike Bruner (1976), Sergey Fesenko (1980), Jon Sieben (1984), Michael Gross (1988), Mel Stewart (1992), Denis Pankratov (1996), Tom Malchow (2000), Michael

OVERVIEW

Hungary’s Laszlo Cseh won the world title (1:53.48) last year, and he holds the world’s top time this year (1:52.91) by more than a second. Chad le Clos of South Africa was the silver medalist (1:53.68) at Worlds in Kazan, and was the upset Olympic gold medalist four years ago over American Michael Phelps. And Phelps?—he looked terrible on the last lap of his 200 fly at U.S. Olympic Trials last month, splitting the sixth slowest split (31.90) of the field. He still won, but faded to 1:54.84. Then, there’s the image of Phelps blasting a 1:52.94 at nationals last year, just months into his comeback, and it’s hard not to think that, at 100 percent, the most decorated Olympian of all time will be ready for anything that comes his way—especially for his final Olympics.

TALK ON DECK •

Can Michael Phelps put together the 1:52-mid that he’ll need to win the gold medal? At U.S. Trials, he seemed to have it all figured out except the last 50.

•

Laszlo Cseh has won five Olympic medals over the past three Olympiads, all of them silver or bronze. Of course, Phelps won gold in all five of those races. Could this finally be Cseh’s opportunity to come out on top?

•

Will Chad le Clos make any comments to the media about Phelps before the race? The two have been bantering back and forth since le Clos edged Phelps for gold in the 200 fly four years ago. However, they have not raced head-to-head in the pool since London!

Phelps (2004), Michael Phelps (2008), Chad le Clos (2012)

2016 FINA WORLD RANKINGS (as of July 17) 1) 1:52.91 Laszlo Cseh, HUN/ European Champs/London 5-16-16 2) 1:54.14 Daiya Seto, JPN/ Japan Swim/Tokyo 4-8-16 3) 1:54.21 Masato Sakai, JPN/ Japan Swim/Tokyo 4-8-16 4) 1:54.42 Chad le Clos, RSA/ Mare Nostrum/Barcelona 6-11-16 5) 1:54.79 Tamas Kenderesi, HUN/ European Champs/London 5-16-16 6) 1:54.84 Michael Phelps, USA/ U.S. Trials/Omaha 6-29-16 7) 1:55.28 Viktor Bromer, DEN/ European Champs/London 5-16-16

PREDICTIONS

8) 1:55.54 Leonardo de Deus, BRA/ Maria Lenk/Rio de Janeiro 4-17-16

Gold: Michael Phelps, USA Silver: Laszlo Cseh, Hungary Bronze: Chad le Clos, South Africa ←

8) 1:55.54 Li Zhuhao, CHN/ Chinese Nationals/Foshan 4-3-16 10) 1:55.63 David Morgan, AUS/ AUS Champs/Adelaide 4-9-16

SWIMMING WORLD MAGAZINE / 2016 OLYMPIC SPECIAL EDITION

65

2016 RIO OLYMPICS | EVENT - BY - EVENT PREVIEW

PICTURED: Kosuke Hagino of Japan beat both Michael Phelps and Ryan Lochte in the 200 IM in 2014 at Pan Pacs and SC Worlds, respectively, but Hagino has never won gold at the Olympics or LC Worlds.

Photo by: Delly Carr

200 METER INDIVIDUAL MEDLEY

BY DAVID RIEDER

Day 6: Thursday, Aug. 11

HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE World Record: Ryan Lochte, USA (Shanghai, 7-28-11) 1:54.00 Splits: 24.89, 53.48 (28.59), 1:26.51 (33.03), 1:54.00 (27.49) American Record: Ryan Lochte (Shanghai, 7-28-11) 1:54.00 Olympic Record: Michael Phelps, USA (Beijing, 8-15-08) 1:54.23 Reigning Champion: Michael Phelps, USA 1:54.23 Past Champions: Charles Hickcox (1968), Gunnar Larsson (1972), Alex Baumann (1984), Tamas Darnyi (1988), Tamas Darnyi (1992), Attila Czene (1996), Massimiliano Rosolino (2000), Michael Phelps (2004), Michael Phelps (2008), Michael Phelps (2012)

2016 FINA WORLD RANKINGS (as of July 17) 1) 1:55.07 Kosuke Hagino, JPN/ Japan Swim/Tokyo 4-9-16

OVERVIEW For all of the historical dominance of Americans Michael Phelps and Ryan Lochte in this event—and for all of the hype surrounding what will be their final race against each other—they had better take notice of Japan’s Kosuke Hagino.

He enters with the top time in the world this year (1:55.07), and he’s a serious threat for the gold medal. Then again, Hagino had better take notice of the American duo: Phelps (ranked No. 2 this year at 1:55.91) has won a record three-straight Olympic gold medals in the event; and Lochte is the world record holder (1:54.00 in 2011) and last year’s world champion (1:55.81).

If you’re looking for an upset for someone other than those three to make the podium, consider hometown favorite Thiago Pereira of Brazil, who took the silver medal in Kazan (1:56.65)

and has placed fourth at the last two Olympics.

TALK ON DECK •

Michael Phelps, Ryan Lochte and Kosuke Hagino all share the same weak stroke: breaststroke. Which one can take advantage of their rivals on the race’s third leg?

•

Can Hagino break up the Phelps-Lochte narrative that has been so dominant in this event for the last 12 years?

•

Will there be an Olympic “surprise” in the field who can knock off either Phelps, Lochte or Hagino and replace him on the podium?

2) 1:55.91 Michael Phelps, USA/ U.S. Trials/Omaha 7-1-16 3) 1:56.22 Ryan Lochte, USA/ U.S. Trials/Omaha 7-1-16 4) 1:57.57 Hiromasa Fujimori, JPN/ Japan Swim/Tokyo 4-9-16 5) 1:57.77 Thiago Pereira, BRA/ Arena Pro Swim/Santa Clara 6-5-16 6) 1:57.91 Henrique Rodrigues, BRA/ Maria Lenk/Rio de Janeiro 4-19-16

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7) 1:57.92 Thomas Fraser-Holmes, AUS/ AUS Champs/Adelaide 4-7-16

PREDICTIONS

8) 1:57.93 Wang Shun, CHN/Chinese Nationals/Foshan 4-3-16

Gold: Michael Phelps, USA

9) 1:57.95 Daiya Seto, JPN/ Kitajima Cup, Tokyo 1-29-16

Silver: Kosuke Hagino, Japan

10) 1:58.16 David Nolan, USA / U.S. Trials/Omaha 6-30-16

Bronze: Ryan Lochte, USA ←

SWIMMING WORLD MAGAZINE / 2016 OLYMPIC SPECIAL EDITION

PICTURED: Will Chase Kalisz of the United States follow in the footsteps of Tom Dolan (1996-2000), Michael Phelps (200408) and Ryan Lochte (2012) to give the Americans five straight wins in the men’s 400 IM? Photo by: Peter H. Bick

400 METER INDIVIDUAL MEDLEY

BY DAVID RIEDER

Day 1: Saturday, Aug. 6

HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE World Record: Michael Phelps, USA (Beijing, 8-10-08) 4:03.84 Splits: 25.73, 54.92 (29.19), 1:26.29 (31.37), 1:56.49 (30.20) 2:31.26 (34.77), 3:07.05 (35.79), 3:35.99 (28.94), 4:03.84 (27.85) American Record: Michael Phelps (Beijing, 8-10-08) 4:03.84 Olympic Record: Michael Phelps, USA (Beijing, 8-10-08) 4:03.84 Reigning Champion: Ryan Lochte, USA 4:06.18 Past Champions: Richard Roth (1964), Charles Hickcox (1968), Gunnar Larsson (1972), Rod Strachan (1976), Aleksandr Sidorenko (1980), Alex Baumann (1984), Tamas Darnyi (1988), Tamas Darnyi (1992), Tom Dolan (1996), Tom Dolan (2000), Michael Phelps (2004), Michael Phelps (2008), Ryan Lochte (2012)

2016 FINA WORLD RANKINGS (as of July 17) 1) 4:08.85 Kosuke Hagino, JPN/ Japan Open/Tokyo 5-21-16

OVERVIEW Japan’s Daiya Seto is the two-time defending world champion in the event, but his countryman, Kosuke Hagino, might be the slight favorite heading into Rio. Hagino, the bronze medalist in the 400 IM in London, was Swimming World’s World Swimmer of the Year in 2014 before he was forced to withdraw from the Kazan World Championships (elbow injury). But he is back on his game so far in 2016.

Chase Kalisz, USA, is the only other man besides Hagino to be under 4:10 this season, having won the event at U.S. Olympic Trials in 4:09.54. Olympic gold medalist Ryan

Lochte failed to qualify for this event.

TALK ON DECK •

Can Kosuke Hagino finally convert all of his promise into an individual gold medal?

•

How will this race change on the breaststroke leg? Chase Kalisz has the best breaststroke in the field, which is certainly to his advantage, but will he be close enough to front-halfers such as Hagino and Daiya Seto?

•

Who is the dark horse in the field that could sneak up on the last 100? Jay Litherland and Thomas Fraser-Holmes, in particular, are known for their massive finishing speed.

2) 4:09.54 Chase Kalisz, USA/ U.S. Trials/Omaha 6-26-16 3) 4:10.53 Daiya Seto, JPN/ Japan Open/Tokyo 5-21-16 4) 4:11.02 Jay Litherland, USA/ U.S. Trials/Omaha 6-26-16 5) 4:11.09 Thomas Fraser-Holmes, AUS/ AUS Champs/Adelaide 4-7-16 6) 4:11.95 Federico Turino, ITA/ Natl. Champs/Riccione 4-20-16 7) 4:11.98 Ryan Lochte, USA/ U.S. Trials/Omaha 6-26-16 8) 4:12.05 Max Litchfield, GBR/ British Champs/Glasgow 4-14-16 9) 4:12.21 David Verraszto, HUN/ Trofeo Sette Colli/Rome 6-25-16 10) 4:13.25 Jacob Heidtmann, GER/ German Champs/Berlin 5-5-16

•

Can anyone come close to Michael Phelps’ world record time of 4:03.84? Nobody has swum within five seconds of that mark in the past two years.

PREDICTIONS Gold: Kosuke Hagino, Japan Silver: Chase Kalisz, USA Bronze: Daiya Seto, Japan ← SWIMMING WORLD MAGAZINE / 2016 OLYMPIC SPECIAL EDITION

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2016 RIO OLYMPICS | EVENT - BY - EVENT PREVIEW

PICTURED: The 4 x 100 medley relay will be the last hurrah for the G.O.A.T (Greatest Olympian of All Time) Michael Phelps of the United States.

Photo by: Peter H. Bick

Top 5 Times from 2016: 1) 3:32.15 Great Britain/ European Champs/London 5-22-16 2) 3:33.80 South Africa/ RSA Nationals/Durban 4-10-16

4 x 100 METER MEDLEY RELAY

BY DAVID RIEDER

Day 8: Saturday, Aug. 13

3) 3:33.89 France/ European Champs/London 5-22-16 4) 3:34.12 Hungary/ European Champs/London 5-22-16 5) 3:34.41 Greece/ European Champs/London 5-22-16

OVERVIEW HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE World Record: United States (Rome, 8-2-09) 3:27.28 Splits: Aaron Peirsol - 52.19, Eric Shanteau - 1:50.76 (58.57) Michael Phelps - 2:40.48 (49.72), David Walters - 3:27.28 (46.80) American Record: USA (Rome, 8-2-09) 3:27.28 Aaron Peirsol, Eric Shanteau, Michael Phelps, David Walters Olympic Record: USA (Beijing, 8-17-08) 3:29.34 Aaron Peirsol, Brendan Hansen, Michael Phelps, Jason Lezak Reigning Champion: USA 3:29.35 Matt Grevers, Brendan Hansen, Michael Phelps, Nathan Adrian Past Champions: United States (1960), United States (1964), United States (1968), United States (1972), United States (1976), Australia (1980), United States (1984), United States (1988), United States (1992), United States (1996), United States (2000), United States

What better way to finish off eight days of swimming than with a duel between the United States and Australia in the men’s medley relay? This one will have it all: potential rematches between world champion Mitch Larkin (#3, 52.54) and either Ryan Murphy (#2, 52.26) or David Plummer (#1, 52.12) on the backstroke leg, then between Cameron McEvoy (#1, 47.04) and Nathan Adrian (#2, 47.72) on the freestyle leg. Oh...and don’t forget the USA’s Michael Phelps in butterfly, which could very well be his last swim ever in elite international competition. It’s unlikely that any country will challenge the Americans for gold, but watch for Great Britain on the front half of the race with backstroker Chris WalkerHebborn (fifth at Worlds, 53.02) and 100 breast world record holder Adam Peaty (57.92). France, which placed third at Worlds, should again be strong throughout.

(2004), United States (2008), United States (2012)

2015-16 FINA WORLD RANKINGS Top 10 Times from 2015: 1) 3:29.93 United States/ World Champs/Kazan 8-9-15 2) 3:30.08 Australia/ World Champs/Kazan 8-9-15 3) 3:30.50 France/ World Champs/Kazan 8-9-15 4) 3:30.67 Great Britain/ World Champs/Kazan 8-9-15 5) 3:30.90 Russia/ World Champs/Kazan 8-9-15 6) 3:31.10 Japan/ World Champs/Kazan 8-9-15 7) 3:32.16 Germany/ World Champs/Kazan 8-9-15 8) 3:32.68 Brazil/ Pan Ams/Toronto 7-18-15 9) 3:33.50 Poland/ World Champs/Kazan 8-9-15 10) 3:34.40 Canada/ Pan Ams/Toronto 7-18-15

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SWIMMING WORLD MAGAZINE / 2016 OLYMPIC SPECIAL EDITION

TALK ON DECK •

Will Australia be able to find enough on the breaststroke and butterfly legs to compete with the Americans?

•

Has Great Britain found the solution for the back half of its medley relay team? The Brits led at the halfway point at last year’s World Championships before fading to fourth.

•

Will this be a storybook ending for Michael Phelps’ career?

PREDICTIONS Gold: United States Silver: Australia Bronze: Great Britain ←

PICTURED: Florent Manaudou is one of three French swimmers who rank among the top seven in the men’s 100 free. With that kind of depth, this race is a strong one for last year’s world champs and defending Olympic champions.

Photo by: FINA

Top 5 Times from 2016: 1) 3:12.26 Australia/ AUS Champs/Adelaide 4-7-16

4 x100 METER FREESTYLE RELAY

2) 3:13.48 France/ European Champs/London 5-16-16

Day 2: Sunday, Aug. 7

3) 3:14.29 Italy/ European Champs/London 5-16-16

Day 1: Saturday, Aug. 6

4) 3:14.30 Belgium/ European Champs/London 5-16-16 5) 3:14.42 Greece/ European Champs/London 5-16-16

HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE World Record: United States (Beijing, 8-11-08) 3:08.24 Splits: Michael Phelps - 47.51, Garrett Weber-Gale - 1:34.53 (47.02) Cullen Jones - 2:22.18 (47.65), Jason Lezak - 3:08.24 (46.06) American Record: USA (Beijing, 8-11-08) 3:08.24 Michael Phelps, Garrett Weber-Gale, Cullen Jones, Jason Lezak Olympic Record: USA (Beijing, 8-11-08) 3:08.24 Michael Phelps, Garrett Weber-Gale, Cullen Jones, Jason Lezak Reigning Champion: France 3:09.93 Amaury Leveaux, Fabien Gilot, Clement Lefert, Yannick Agnel Past Champions: United States (1964), United States (1968), United States (1972), United States (1984), United States (1988), United States (1992), United States (1996), Australia (2000), South Africa (2004), United States (2008), France (2012)

OVERVIEW The Americans and Australians both missed the final of this event at the World Championships last year. That shouldn’t happen two years in a row. Still, France—which won gold medals in Kazan and four years ago in dramatic fashion in London—is the team to beat: Jeremy Stravius, Florent Manaudou and Clement Mignon all rank among the top seven in the world. Nathan Adrian (#2 in the world this year, 47.72) will be the key leg for the Americans, while Cameron McEvoy (#1, 47.04) will be the same for Australia.

Brazil, with Marcelo Chierighini (#12, 48.20) and Nicolas Oliveira (#15, 48.30) leading the way, could, perhaps, ride the

home-crowd support to a medal.

TALK ON DECK •

Can France continue its recent dominance in the event?

Although there isn’t any superstar on the team such as Alain Bernard, its depth is unmatched.

•

Can the United States and Australia avoid the mistake of a poor prelim swim that cost both teams a spot in the final at last year’s World Championships?

•

Which country might be a threat to sneak onto the medal podium with a huge anchor leg? Perhaps it will be Italy with veteran Filippo Magnini still swimming fast...or Canada with Santo Condorelli?

2015-16 FINA WORLD RANKINGS Top 10 Times from 2015: 1) 3:10.74 France/ World Champs/Kazan 8-2-15 2) 3:11.19 Russia/ World Champs/Kazan 8-2-15 3) 3:12.53 Italy/ World Champs/Kazan 8-2-15 4) 3:13.22 Brazil/ World Champs/Kazan 8-2-15 5) 3:14.12 Poland/ World Champs/Kazan 8-2-15 6) 3:14.32 Canada/ Pan Ams/Toronto 7-14-15 7) 3:14.76 Japan/ World Champs/Kazan 8-2-15 8) 3:15.41 China/ World Champs/Kazan 8-2-15 9) 3:15.50 Belgium/ World Champs/Kazan 8-2-15 10) 3:15.70 Great Britain/ World Champs/Kazan 8-2-15

PREDICTIONS Gold: France Silver: Australia Bronze: United States ← SWIMMING WORLD MAGAZINE / 2016 OLYMPIC SPECIAL EDITION

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2016 RIO OLYMPICS | EVENT - BY - EVENT PREVIEW

PICTURED: The United States, which includes Conor Dwyer (ranked third this year in the 200 free with a 1:45.41) and an impressive number of equally fast 200 freestylers, is our pick to win the gold medal in the men’s 4 x 200 freestyle relay.

Top 5 Times from 2016:

4 x 200 METER FREESTYLE RELAY

1) 7:07.82 Netherlands/ European Champs/London 5-21-16 2) 7:08.28 Belgium/ European Champs/London 5-21-16

BY DAVID RIEDER

3) 7:08.30 Italy/ European Champs/London 5-21-16

Day 4: Tuesday, Aug. 9

4) 7:08.31 Poland/ European Champs/London 5-21-16 5) 7:09.18 France/ European Champs/London 5-21-16

HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE World Record: United States (Rome, 7-31-09) 6:58.55 Splits: Michael Phelps - 1:44.49, Ricky Berens - 3:28.62 (1:44.13) David Walters - 5:14.09 (1:45.47), Ryan Lochte - 6:58.55 (1:44.46) American Record: USA (Rome, 7-31-09) 6:58.55 Michael Phelps, Ricky Berens, David Walters, Ryan Lochte Olympic Record: USA (Beijing, 8-13-08) 6:58.56 Michael Phelps, Ryan Lochte, Ricky Berens, Peter Vanderkaay Reigning Champion: USA 6:59.70 Ryan Lochte, Conor Dwyer, Ricky Berens, Michael Phelps Past Champions: Great Britain (1908), Australasia (1912), United States (1920), United States (1924), United States (1928), Japan (1932), Japan (1936), United States (1948), United States (1952), Australia (1956), United States (1960), United States (1964), United States (1968), United States (1972), United States (1976), Soviet Union (1980), United States (1984), United States (1988), Unified Team (1992), United States (1996), Australia (2000), United States (2004), United States (2008), United States (2012)

2015-16 FINA WORLD RANKINGS

OVERVIEW

Great Britain’s victory at the World Championships last year ended the United States’ win streak in the men’s 800 free relay (World Championships and Olympics) that lasted more than a decade. The American streak began with a victory at the 2004 Olympics after losing to Australia at the 2003 Worlds and 2000 Olympics. However, the USA team headed for Rio looks a lot stronger coming out of Olympic Trials, where Townley Haas, Conor Dwyer and Jack Conger all swam under 1:46. Add Ryan Lochte and Michael Phelps into the mix, and this team looks solid. Great Britain still has world champion James Guy leading his team’s quest for gold.

Also battling for medals will be Australia, led by Thomas Fraser-Holmes and Cameron McEvoy; France, which will include Jeremy Stravius and Yannick Agnel; and Japan, with Kosuke Hagino.

TALK ON DECK •

Will the U.S. coaches decide to use Michael Phelps in the 4 x 200 relay, which takes place about an hour after his 200 fly final? The times posted at the U.S. Trials suggest that the team might have enough firepower to win gold without him.

•

Can the British recapture the magic that brought them a world title last summer? They will need huge swims from James Guy and Robbie Renwick.

•

Could one excellent leg propel a country such as Germany (with Paul Biedermann), The Netherlands (Sebastiaan Verschuren) or Poland (Jan Switkowski) into the medal race?

Top 10 Times from 2015: 1) 7:04.33 Great Britain/ World Champs/Kazan 8-7-15 2) 7:04.75 United States/ World Champs/Kazan 8-7-15 3) 7:05.34 Australia/ World Champs/Kazan 8-7-15 4) 7:06.89 Russia/ World Champs/Kazan 8-7-15 5) 7:09.01 Germany/ World Champs/Kazan 8-7-15 6) 7:09.64 Belgium/ World Champs/Kazan 8-7-15 7) 7:09.75 Netherlands/ World Champs/Kazan 8-7-15 8) 7:10.20 Poland/ World Champs/Kazan 8-7-15 9) 7:11.15 Brazil/ Pan Ams/Toronto 7-15-15 10) 7:11.39 Spain/ World Champs/Kazan 8-7-15

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SWIMMING WORLD MAGAZINE / 2016 OLYMPIC SPECIAL EDITION

.

PREDICTIONS Gold: United States Silver: Great Britain Bronze: Australia ←

2016 OLYMPIC PREVIEW: OPEN WATER

WAVES OF TALENT

TO COMPETE IN RIO’S WATERS

The Olympic open water events that will take place off of Copacabana Beach feature several swimmers in each race capable of winning gold.

BY ANNIE GREVERS The 10-kilometer open water race was introduced to the Olympic lineup in 2008.

Since then, the sport’s popularity has grown exponentially. And with popularity comes stiffer competition.

In fact, Catherine Vogt, head coach of Team USA’s Olympic open water team, believes that no fewer than six of the 10 athletes on both the women’s and men’s side who had qualified for the Olympics based on last summer’s World Championships results could be in medal contention at Rio. In 2008, Team Great Britain came ripping through Beijing’s open waters to win three of the six available medals. Having two females and one male on the podium gave the Brits oceans of confidence leading into their home country-hosted Games in 2012. However, just four years after their

spectacular showing in Beijing, the Brits were blanked in London.

The six medalists were from Hungary, USA, Italy, Tunisia, Germany and Canada.

And the medal winners in Rio could be just as unpredictable.

THE FIELD OF FIFTY Twenty-five women and 25 men will compete in the 10K Marathon in Rio. Twenty of those 50 were selected after the 2015 World Championships. Included in that initial wave of qualifiers were Americans Haley Anderson, Jordan Wilimovsky and Sean Ryan. The remaining qualifiers were to be chosen in June.

Four years ago, four of the six medalists who swam the 10K in London had qualified for the Olympics a mere two months prior to the Olympic race.

“I don’t think we’re going to see the same trend in Rio,” Coach Vogt said. “I think the majority of the medals will go to the qualifiers from Kazan.”

TOP PICKS Among the women, home country heroes, Ana Marcela Cunha and Poliana Okimoto Cintra, both placed in the top six in Kazan. Other contenders include Italy's Rachele Bruni—a consistent performer on the World Cup circuit—and defending

world champion Aurelie Muller of France.

Nipping at Muller’s heels last summer was Dutch powerhouse Sharon van Rouwendaal, who plans to be on the podium this year, too.

It is likely that even more pressure will be on the shoulders of defending Olympic champion, Eva Risztov of Hungary, and 2012 silver medalist, Haley Anderson of the USA, who was touched out by 4-tenths of a second in the grueling two-hour race in London. To add to the pressure, Great Britain’s Keri-Anne Payne will be looking to make amends for her fourth-place finish four years ago.

On the men’s side, the clash between American Jordan Wilimovsky—the defending world champion—and Tunisia’s Ous Mellouli—the 32-year-old defending Olympic gold medalist—should guarantee an exciting race. Other proven competitors are Canada’s Richard Weinberger—the 2012 bronze medalist—and Greece’s Spyridon Gianniotis, who narrowly missed the podium at the London Games and who took third at the 2015 Worlds.

Also in the mix will be American Sean Ryan, who has competed in every World Championships since 2009. He finished fourth in Kazan, about two-and-a-half seconds shy of winning a medal and 15 seconds behind Wilimovsky. 

SWIMMING WORLD MAGAZINE / 2016 OLYMPIC SPECIAL EDITION July 2016 / SWIMMINGWORLDMAGAZINE.COM

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2016 OLYMPIC PREVIEW: WATER POLO

A GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY The Americans have a formidable men’s team that will be battling for a spot on the awards podium. Four-time Olympian TonyAzevedo, 34, led Team USA to its first Olympic medal in 20 years at the Beijing Olympics (silver) and continues to be a commanding presence.

USA WOMEN LOOK TO REPEAT The United States women’s water polo team is one of the most dominant—not just in the history of water polo, but also in the history of Olympic sports. It is the only team worldwide to have won medals at every Olympic Games since the introduction of women’s water polo to the Olympic lineup in 2000.

Its last silver medal came at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Since then, the American girls have been mining gold: at the 2009 World Championships, 2010 World League Super Final and World Cup, 2011 Pan American Games and the 2012 London Olympics. Team USA has won 15 of 17 available international gold medals in the past six years.

USA Water Polo Chief Executive Officer Christopher Ramsey believes there is currently a greater level of parity on the

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women’s side than on the men’s. There are going to be very few easy women’s games in the Olympic tournament. “The team that gives everyone the most sleepless nights is Australia,” Ramsey says. “They match up with us in size, speed and experience.

We’ve had a great rivalry with them since 2000.”

The Italians, Spaniards and Hungarians should also provide some speed bumps along the way as the Americans strive for another Olympic crown.

SERBIAN MEN READY FOR GOLD Serbia is to men’s water polo what the United States is to women’s, but its dominance has been spottier. Serbia took bronze at the past two Olympic Games—not bad, but not the American ladies’ gold streak.

The Serbian team is considered to be the finest sports team in its country’s history.

SWIMMING WORLD MAGAZINE / 2016 OLYMPIC SWIMMING WORLD MAGAZINE / June 2016SPECIAL EDITION

The USA women’s and Serbian men’s teams are the early favorites to win Olympic gold medals in water polo at Rio de Janeiro this summer.

STORY BY ANNIE GREVERS PHOTOS BY USAWP/BEELDBOOT Its medal count speaks to the team’s high caliber: 11 Olympic, 11 World Championship, 21 European Championship, 11 FINA World League, nine FINA World Cup and 11 Mediterranean Games medals.

Recent history shows Montenegro, Croatia (2012 gold medalist), Italy (2012 silver medalist) and Greece a mark below Serbia.

In the next echelon are Brazil, Australia, USA and Spain. France and Japan round out the lower tier.

RED, WHITE AND BLUE In May 2013, USA Water Polo brought on Serbia’s talented coach, Dejan Udovicic, to serve as head coach of the USA Water Polo men’s senior national team through the 2016 Olympic Games.

“Udovicic is a great tactical coach and a great teacher of the game,” Ramsey said.

“His track record is self-evident. Our men

Sponsored by with wins in the last three games Ramsey sees a lot wrong with finished the representational disparity beat (the 2015) World Championships. The tween men and women. “There is question is: ‘How soon can we play consisgender equity in every other Olymtently at that level through the medal rounds pic team sport, and I think it is time of a major international tournament?’” that the IOC stepped up and did the A legendary coach, two proven veterKATHLEEN PRINDLE right thing for water polo,” Ramsey ans and a youthful swagger make / theHead U.S. Coach, Aquatics (Boca Raton, said. Fla.) men’s OlympicPerformance team a formidable squad.

Ramsey says that he believes the At 34, four-time Olympian Tony Azevedo is After the 2016 1,737 number talentedof women’s teams the most seasoned and skilled playerTrials, in the withsmaller athletes participating and several of our national originated from the introduction field. The only player with more experience opting to retire afterward, it has become of women’s water polo at the 2000 is 38-year-old treasures goalkeeper Merrill Moses. clearUSA that we need do more forSydney this level of ath-There was a certain Games.

Azevedo led Team to its firsttoOlympic byatproviding increased opportunities for them to small and make rationale to start medal in 20 lete years the Beijing Olympics succeed financially in order for them to want to stay sure there werein enough high-quality (silver) and continues to be a commanding the sport.

Only the top few swimmers will achieve endorsement or sponcompetitors to fill each spot. presence. sorship deals. aboutmen all the Now that the women’s teams BothWhat the U.S. andrest? women’s squads I have seen many post-grads retire before they werefrom reallyallphysically over the world have proven have dramatically transitioned from being or emotionally ready, forat thethe simple no longertosupthemselves be competitive, some the oldest teams 2012reason Gamesthat to they the could port themselves decidedin toRio. go get a “real job.” cite the hard cap of 10,500 Olympic youngest and to compete USA Swimming-sponsored events such as than the Arena Pro Series, andathletes as a reason not to Summer Games “In general, there’s nothing better FINA-sponsored events such World what Cups,itare all viable and to excellent expand a 12-team women’s tournament veteran leadership thatasknows can options,do, butand there is a need for a professional organization dediat thesolely Olympics. a youth movement exploding with cated totalent athlete sustainability and revenue pro meets. new IOC leadership, many that does not know what itpotential cannot throughUnder We do,” can learn from observing the evolution of the PGA—which, ac- swimming and track and sports—including Ramsey said. cording to Forbes magazine, now has a $7 billion impact annually.be This field—may under pressure to cut events evolvedGENDER through a EQUITY collaboration by and with their golfers, nowforreap andwho allow more athletes in other, perthe majority of the profits teams from PGA Golfers nownew, be profeshaps sports.

Eight women’s haveevents. qualified for can sionals Olympic and haveplay: opportunities to train and Spain, travel, and earn an income USA, Italy, Russia, throughAustralia, participation in PGA events hosted all The over thePLAYERS world.

TO WATCH China, Hungary and Brazil.

Filip Filipovic is a left-hander from Sermen’s competition will include 12.

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Maggie Steffens is a 23-year-old Team USA defender and captain. At 19, she led Team USA to Olympic gold and was named female MVP of the London Games.

She has been crowned FINA World Player of the Year twice (2012, 2014).

bia. The 28-year-old helped Serbia to two Olympic bronze medals (2008, 2012) and two World Championship golds (2009, 2015). He has been named FINA World Player of the Year twice (2011, 2014).

Ashleigh Johnson, 21, a favorite to make the U.S. women’s team that will be selected in mid-June, served as goalkeeper on the winning squad at the 2015 World Championships. If she makes the team, she will be the first African-American on a USA women’s Olympic water polo team. 

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2016 OLYMPIC PREVIEW: DIVING [PHOTO BY LEO MASON, US PRESSWIRE]

The USA’s David Boudia, who won the Olympic gold medal in the 10-meter platform diving competition at the 2012 Olympics, most recently captured the silver medal in the same event at last year’s World Championships in Kazan. Since 2007, he’s won 10 international medals— three gold, four silver and three bronze.

P I R

BY ANNIE GREVERS

W O AR D R T G N I P IO

Ten of 24 Olympic medals were awarded to Chinese divers in 2012. In their home country’s 2008 Beijing Games, Team China took home 11 medals, sweeping gold in all but the men’s 10-meter platform. In 2004, China captured nine of 24 medals; in 2000, 10 of 24. Winning nearly 42 percent of all available medals over the past 16 years, China’s Olympic diving dynasty shows no signs of being usurped in 2016.

WOMEN’S DIVING

China looks especially dominant on the women’s side. FINA rankings have them first in both the springboard (3-meter) and platform (10-meter) synchronized events. Twenty-five-year-old Zi He will return to defend her synchro springboard Olympic title from 2012. Zi He trails teammate Tingmao Shi by less than a point in individual springboard world rankings. She took home silver in the event in 2012, and will be looking to clinch gold in her second Games.

Two Canadians have a viable shot to topple China’s dominant duo—Jennifer Abel will edge the Chinese on degree of difficulty, and Pamela Ware has the prowess to challenge for a medal.

Top contenders in women’s platform (10-meter) are the young, yet well-established stars Ren Qian (age 15) and Si Yajie (age 17) of China. Ren clenched silver at last year’s World Championships in the event. Si won gold as a 14-year-old at the 2013 World Championships in Barcelona.

MEN’S DIVING

Great Britain’s Jack Laugher competed in his first Games at 17, finishing 27th in his premier event—the 3-meter springboard. The 21-year-old will have momentum as he dives for gold in Rio. Laugher became the first Brit to win two medals (both bronze) at the World Championships in 2015.

Laugher is ranked first in the world in the springboard event, but China’s He Chao is hot on his heels. “He Chao is the Chinese leading man, but recently he has been faltering in international competition,” U.S. national team diver Samantha Pickens said, mentioning that

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SWIMMING WORLD MAGAZINE / 2016 OLYMPIC SWIMMING WORLD MAGAZINE / April 2016SPECIAL EDITION

many Chinese divers struggle in outdoor competitions. “Rommel Pacheco of Mexico is also extremely dominant on the men’s 3-meter.”

“The Star-Spangled Banner” played one time during the London Olympic Games, when veteran David Boudia squeaked into finals and dived his was to a Cinderella story on platform (10-meter). Qui Bo of China took silver, and Great Britain’s Thomas Daley grabbed bronze. The three will most likely be returning to the lofty platform in Rio—Qui is ranked first in the world and will be looking to continue China’s gilded legacy.

Two-time Olympian Boudia will also likely be returning to the synchronized platform event—this time with budding American star, 19-year-old Steele Johnson. As Pickens says, “They still have Trials, and you never know what can happen.” The U.S. Diving Olympic Trials will take place June 18-26 in Indianapolis. In 2012, Boudia won bronze in the men’s 10-meter synchro event with the since-retired Nicholas McCrory.

China will bring strong synchronized teams on platform, but the springboard events are there for the taking. Mexico, Great Britain and Germany will bring formidable pairings in men’s synchronized 3-meter. “If these teams can dive their best, then China will definitely be beaten,” Pickens said.  FUN FACT: Jamaica has springboarded into the Olympic diving scene for the first time in history! Yona Knight-Wisdom sealed his ticket at the FINA Diving World Cup to download a sidebar story on Meet in February.

Malaysian diver Pandelela Rinong.

2016 OLYMPIC PREVIEW: SYNCHRONIZED SWIMMING [PHOTO BY OSPORTS VIA US PRESSWIRE]

ISHE

IN A TEAM F HE “UP IN T

Russia’s synchronized swimming team has been invincible at the Olympics for the past 16 years, taking home their fourth consecutive team gold medal in 2012. China (silver in 2012, bronze in 2008) and Spain (bronze in 2012, silver in 2008) have been steady fixtures on the Olympic podium as well.

But the predictable waters of synchronized swimming were stirred in early March at the FINA Olympic qualifier in Rio de Janeiro.

TR SA IO

IR

”

BY ANNIE GREVERS

T

he qualification methods to select the eight countries to compete in this year’s Olympic synchronized swimming team competition might seem ludicrous: • The best team from each continent is decided at a championship meet such as the Pan American Games or European Championships.

• The host country receives its continent’s automatic Olympic spot.

• Any countries still vying for an Olympic spot attend the FINA Olympic Qualification Tournament in Rio. The top three teams are selected.

Ukraine won the team event at the qualifier, beating Japan by 4-hundredths of a point. It was a triumphant moment in Ukrainian history since the country has never had an Olympic showing before. Italy also will have a team in the Games for the first time ever.

Former U.S. Synchro national team member, Lyssa (Wallace) Odette, recalled seeing many of the same Italian swimmers at the Swiss Open in 2007: “Nearly half of their team is made up of those same girls. Many of them are in their late 20s

and early 30s. Watching them really moved me—they’ve sacrificed their entire lives in hopes of this Olympic spot.”

Team USA will not be represented in the team competition in Rio. The U.S. synchro climate does not provide the clearest path to international success. College scholarships separate the United States from other countries—providing an irresistible opportunity to have school paid for, but stripping swimmers of the time to assemble a national team and devote 10 to 12 hours each day to the sport—which is routine for world-class synchro training.

Although the Canadian team won Pan Ams last summer, they will not compete in the team competition since Brazil received the continent’s spot (North America and South America are lumped together as “The Americas” for selection purposes). At the qualifier, Team Canada placed fourth, missing the final Olympic spot by less than one point.

China has historically finished right behind Russia. Japanese coach Masayo Imura helped China climb the synchro ladder from 2004 to 2013, but returned to her homeland

in 2014.

“She’s helped Japan work its way back to the podium for the first time since 2004,” Odette said. Imura is referred to as the “Mother of Synchro,” and bolstered Team Japan to a bronze-medal finish at the World Championships last summer.

“Synchro has lost its predictability, which is really exciting,” Odette said. “That bronze medal is up for grabs with Japan and Ukraine in the mix.”

ONLY TWO MEDAL EVENTS

The team competition will be one of only two medal events in Rio. The other is duet.

Twenty-four duets have qualified for the Rio Games. Team USA’s Anita Alvarez and Mariya Koroleva placed seventh at the qualifier to punch their ticket to Rio. This will be the second Olympics for Koroleva, who finished 11th in duet with Mary Killman at the 2012 Games. Alvarez, 19, will be making her Olympic debut.

Russian duets have won gold in every Olympics since 2000. Duets from China, Japan, Italy, Ukraine and Spain will be hoping to end Russia’s golden streak. 

SWIMMING WORLD MAGAZINE / 2016 OLYMPIC SPECIAL EDITION May 2016 / SWIMMINGWORLDMAGAZINE.COM

3375

2016 U.S. Olympic Swimming Team

2016 RIO OLYMPICS - AQUATIC TRIALS ROSTERS PHOTO 2016 U.S. OLYMPIC

7618

GALLERY

MEN

* = 2012 Medalist ** = 2012 Team Member FR = Free Relay

Name

Club/College

Event (Finish)

Time

World Ranking

Nathan Adrian*

California Aquatics

50 Free (1st)

21.51

3

100 Free (1st)

47.72

2

Gunnar Bentz

Athens Bulldog/Georgia

800 FR (5th, 200 Free)

1:47.33

38

Jack Conger

Nation’s Capital/Texas

800 FR (3rd, 200 Free)

1:45.77

10

Kevin Cordes

Fox Valley Swim Club

100 Breast (1st)

59.18

4

58.94sf

2

2:08.00

3

2:07.81sf

3

200 Breast (2nd) Caeleb Dressel

Bolles School/Florida

100 Free (2nd)

48.23

13

Conor Dwyer*

Trojan SC/NBAC

200 Free (2nd)

1:45.67

9

400 Free (2nd)

3:44.66

7

Anthony Ervin**

SwimMAC Carolina/ California Aquatics

50 Free (2nd)

21.52

4

400 FR (4th, 100 Free)

48.54

26T

Jimmy Feigen**

New York Athletic Club

400 FR (5th, 100 Free)

48.57

30

Townley Haas

NOVA of Virginia/Texas

200 Free (1st)

1:45.66

8

Ryan Held

NC State University

400 FR (3rd, 100 Free)

48.26

14

Connor Jaeger**

Club Wolverine

400 Free (1st)

3:43.79

3

1500 Free (1st)

14:47.61

4

Chase Kalisz

North Baltimore/Georgia

400 IM (1st)

4:09.54

2

Jay Litherland

Dynamo SC/Georgia

400 IM (2nd)

4:11.02

4

Ryan Lochte*

SwimMAC Carolina

200 IM (2nd)

1:56.22

3

800 FR (4th, 200 Free)

1:46.62

17

100 Breast (2nd)

59.26

4T

59.09sf

4

100 Back (1st)

52.26

2

200 Back (1st)

1:53.95

2

Cody Miller Ryan Murphy

Badger Swim Club California Aquatics

Jacob Pebley

California Aquatics

200 Back (2nd)

1:54.77

4

Michael Phelps*

North Baltimore

100 Fly (1st)

51.00

2

200 Fly (1st)

1:54.84

6

200 IM (1st)

1:55.91

2

Blake Pieroni

Indiana University

400 FR (6th, 100 Free)

48.78

44

David Plummer

New York Athletic Club

100 Back (2nd)

52.28

2

52.12sf

1

Josh Prenot

California Aquatics

200 Breast (1st)

2:07.17n

1

Tom Shields

California Aquatics

100 Fly (2nd)

51.20

3

200 Fly (2nd)

1:55.81

12T

800 FR (6th, 200 Free)

1:47.53

46

1:47.49sf

46

14:49.19

6

Clark Smith

Jordan Wilimovsky

Longhorn Aquatics/Texas

Team Santa Monica/ Northwestern

1500 Free (2nd)

Men’s Coaching Staff: Head Coach: Bob Bowman (Arizona State University) Assistant Coaches: Jack Bauerle (University of Georgia), Mike Bottom (University of Michigan), Dave Durden (University of California, Berkeley)

SWIMMING WORLD MAGAZINE / 2016 OLYMPIC SPECIAL EDITION SWIMMING WORLD MAGAZINE / August  2016

Connor Jaeger, Club Wolverine: men’s 400 free and 1500 free

Kelsi Worrell, University of

Ryan Murphy (left), California Aquatics: men’s 100 back and 200 back (celebrating with Cal teammate and 200 back runner-up, Jacob Pebley, California Aquatics)

[ Photos by: Peter H. Bick ]

WOMEN

* = 2012 Medalist ** = 2012 Team Member FR = Free Relay

Name

Club/College

Event (Finish)

Time

World Ranking

Cammile Adams**

SwimMAC Carolina

200 Fly (1st)

2:06.80

7

Kathleen Baker

SwimMAC Carolina/Cal

100 Back (2nd)

59.29

7

Elizabeth Beisel*

Bluefish

400 IM (2nd)

4:36.81

10

Toronto 6-4:

4:35.59

8

200 Back (1st)

2:06.90

4

200 IM (1st)

2:09.54

3

Maya DiRado

Stanford Swimming

400 IM (1st)

4:33.73

4

Hali Flickinger

Athens Bulldog

200 Fly (2nd)

2:07.50

14

Missy Franklin*

Colorado Stars

200 Free (2nd)

1:56.18

10

200 Back (2nd)

2:07.89

8

Molly Hannis

Tennessee Aquatics

200 Breast (2nd)

2:24.39

18T

Lilly King

Indiana University

100 Breast (1st)

1:05.20

1

200 Breast (1st)

2:24.08

15

2:24.03sf

15

200 Free (1st)

1:54.88

3

Austin 1-16:

1:54.43

1

400 Free (1st)

3:58.98

1

800 Free (1st)

8:10.32

1

Austin 1-17:

8:06.68w

1

50 Free (2nd)

24.33

7

100 Free (2nd)

53.52

9

200 IM (2nd)

2:10.11

7

800 FR (6th, 200 Free)

1:57.65

28

1:57.35sf

21

Katie Ledecky*

Nation’s Capital

Simone Manuel

Stanford Swimming

Melanie Margalis

St. Petersburg Aquatics

Katie Meili

SwimMAC Carolina

100 Breast (2nd)

1:06.07

4

Lia Neal*

Stanford Swimming

400 FR (4th, 100 Free)

53.77

18

Cierra Runge

North Baltimore

800 FR (5th, 200 Free)

1:57.16

19

Allison Schmitt*

North Baltimore

400 FR (5th, 100 Free)

53.87

20

800 FR (4th, 200 Free)

1:56.72

16

1:56.52p

16

400 Free (2nd)

4:00.65

2

800 Free (2nd)

8:20.18

3

800 FR (3rd, 200 Free)

1:56.63

16

1:56.47p

15

Leah Smith

Cavalier Swimming/UVA

Olivia Smoliga

Athens Bulldog/Georgia

100 Back (1st)

59.02

4

Dana Vollmer*

California Aquatics

100 Fly (2nd)

57.21

10

56.90sf

6

400 FR (6th, 100 Free)

53.92

23

Charlotte 5-15:

53.59

12

50 Free (1st)

24.28

6

Abbey Weitzeil

Canyons Aquatic Club

100 Free (1st)

53.28

7

Kelsi Worrell

University of Louisville

100 Fly (1st)

56.48

2

Amanda Weir**

SwimAtlanta

400 FR (3rd, 100 Free)

53.75

16T

53.72sf

15T

Women’s Coaching Staff: Head Coach: David Marsh (SwimMAC Carolina) Assistant Coaches: Bruce Gemmell (Nation’s Capital), Ray Looze (Indiana University), Greg Meehan (Stanford University) SWIMMING WORLD MAGAZINE / 2016 OLYMPIC SPECIAL EDITION August 2016 / SWIMMINGWORLDMAGAZINE.COM

1977

2016 RIO OLYMPICS - AQUATIC ROSTERS

Open Water Name

Club/College

Event (Finish)

Time

Trojan SC

10K (9th, Kazan World Champs)

1:58:35.9

Sean Ryan

Club Wolverine

10K (4th, Kazan World Champs)

1:50:03.3

Jordan Wilimovsky

Team Santa Monica/

10K (1st, Kazan World Champs)

1:49:48.2

Women Haley Anderson Men

Northwestern

Open Water Coaching Staff: Head Coach: Catherine Vogt (University of Southern California) Assistant Coach: Dave Kelsheimer (Team Santa Monica)

diving

* = 2012 Medalist

Women

Men

Name

Club/College

Event/Finish

Name

Club/College

Event/Finish

Kassidy Cook

Woodlands/ Stanford

3M (1st)

David Boudia*

Purdue Diving/ Purdue ’13

10M (1st) 10M Synchro (1st)

Amy Cozad

TriSnyerG/ Indiana

10M Synchro (1st)

Sam Dorman

Miami Diving/ Miami ’15

3M Synchro (1st)

Abby Johnston*

Duke Diving/ Duke

3M (2nd)

Michael Hixon

TriSnyerG/ Indiana

3M (2nd) 3M Synchro (1st)

Jessica Parratto

TriSynerG/ Indiana

10M (1st) 10M Synchro (1st)

Kristian Ipsen*

Stanford Diving/ Stanford

3M (1st)

Katrina Young

Florida St. ’15

10M (2nd)

Steele Johnson

Purdue Diving/ Purdue

10M (2nd) 10M Synchro (1st)

Diving Coaching Staff: Head Coach: Drew Johansen (Indiana University) Assistant Coach: Adam Soldati (Purdue University) Additional Coaching Staff: Randy Ableman (University of Miami), Oleg Andriyuk (Stanford Diving), Ken Armstrong (The Woodlands Diving Academy), Nunzio Esposto (Duke Diving), John Proctor (Florida State Univesity)

SYNCHRONIZED SWIMMING Name

Hometown

Event

Career Highlights

Anita Alvarez

Buffalo, N.Y.

Duet

2016: German Open (bronze), French Open (bronze)

Mariya Koroleva

Concord, Calif.

Duet

2012 Olympian (11th)

Synchronized Swimming Coaching Staff: Head Coach: Lolli Montico High-Performance Director: Myriam Glez

78

SWIMMING WORLD MAGAZINE / 2016 OLYMPIC SPECIAL EDITION

Water polo Women

Men

Name

Club/College

Position

Name

College

Position

KK Clark

NYAC/UCLA

Defender

Tony Azevedo

Stanford

Attacker

Kami Craig

NYAC/USC

Center

McQuin Baron

USC

Goalkeeper

Rachel Fattal

SOCAL/USC

Attacker

Bret Bonanni

Stanford

Attacker

Aria Fischer

SET/Laguna Beach HS

Attacker

Alex Bowen

Stanford

Attacker

Makenzie Fischer

SET/Stanford

Attacker

Luca Cupido

Cal

Attacker

Kaleigh Gilchrist

NYAC/USC

Attacker

Thomas Dunstan

USC

Attacker

Sami Hill

Santa Barbara/ USC

Goalkeeper

Ben Hallock

Stanford

Center

Ashleigh Johnson

NYAC/Princeton

Goalkeeper

John Mann

Cal

Center

Courtney Mathewson

NYAC/UCLA

Attacker

Merrill Moses

Pepperdine

Goalkeeper

Maddie Musselman

CDM/Corona Del Mar HS

Attacker

Alex Obert

Univ of Pacific

Center

Kiley Neushul

Stanford

Attacker

Alex Roelse

UCLA

Defender

Melissa Seidemann

NYAC/Stanford

Defender

Joshua Samuels

UCLA

Attacker

Maggie Steffens

NYAC/Stanford

Defender

Jesse Smith

Pepperdine

Utility

Women’s Water Polo Coaching Staff:

Men’s Water Polo Coaching Staff:

Head Coach: Adam Krikorian

Head Coach: Dejan Udovicic

Assistant Coaches: Dan Klatt, Chris Oeding

Assistant Coaches: Jack Kocur, Alex Rodriguez

Team Manager: Jen Adams Funakura

Captain: Tony Azevedo

Captain: Maggie Steffens

䜀伀䰀䐀 䴀䔀䐀䄀䰀 倀䔀刀䘀伀刀䴀䄀一䌀䔀 匀吀䄀刀吀匀 圀䤀吀䠀 刀䔀匀䤀匀吀䄀一䌀䔀 吀刀䄀䤀一䤀一䜀

一娀䌀漀爀搀稀⸀挀漀洀 㠀 ⸀㠀㠀㘀⸀㘀㘀㈀㄀ SWIMMING WORLD MAGAZINE / 2016 OLYMPIC SPECIAL EDITION

79

[ PHOTO BY PETER H. BICK ]

Parting Shot

80

SWIMMING WORLD MAGAZINE / 2016 OLYMPIC SPECIAL EDITION

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