SW Biweekly June 21, 2021 Issue

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CONTENTS 008 USA SWIMMING OFFICIALLY NAMES OLYMPIC TEAM FOR TOKYO

by Andy Ross Following the eight-day U.S. Olympic Trials in June, USA Swimming announced it will be sending 25 men and 28 women, along with 11 coaches, to represent the United States at the Olympic Games in Tokyo.

010 “MEN BETWEEN WORLDS”: END OF UNPRECEDENTED ERA OF ADRIAN, ERVIN, LOCHTE, GREVERS, JONES AND PHELPS

by Dan D’Addona It appears to be the end of an era in men’s swimming in the United States. It was known as the “Phelps Era” for so long, but it was so much more—it was a Golden Era in men’s swimming that also included Nathan Adrian, Anthony Ervin, Ryan Lochte, Matt Grevers & Cullen Jones.

012 U.S. OLYMPIC TRIALS: KATIE LEDECKY MAKES HISTORY AS 1500 FREESTYLE DOOR OPENED TO WOMEN

by John Lohn Next month, when the Olympic Games are held in Tokyo after a one-year delay due to the COVID-19 pandemic, swimming will offer the 1500 meter freestyle for women for the first time. It has been a men’s event at every Olympics since 1904, but until now, women have only been challenged as far as 800 meters. Katie Ledecky is the overwhelming favorite to be the inaugural gold medalist.

014 KIERAN SMITH ACHIEVES COMMANDING 400 FREE VICTORY, READY TO TAKE NEXT STEPS IN TOKYO

by David Rieder Prior to his first final at Olympic Trials, Florida’s Kieran Smith felt the nerves creeping in—even as the favorite in the men’s 400 free. But the doubts were soon erased as Smith dominated from start to finish, crushing his previous best of 3:47.71 with a 3:44.86.

016 AN OLYMPIC TRIALS 200 BUTTERFLY FINAL WITHOUT MICHAEL PHELPS? STRANGE, BUT A CHANCE TO RELIVE MEMORIES

by John Lohn We knew the day was coming. We were well aware that the final of the men’s 200 butterfly at this year’s U.S. Olympic Trials would not feature Michael Phelps. But even in the face of long-known reality, it is odd not to see him. No arm flaps. No low and long stroke to admire. No presence of a man as reliable as they have ever come.

018 AS THE RYAN LOCHTE ERA FADES TO BLACK, HIS IMPACT WILL CONTINUE TO BE FELT

by John Lohn Defining the success of Ryan Lochte can be achieved in several words and phrases: Olympic champ. World titlist.

World record holder. Clutch performer. Desire. Belief.

And while time ran out on his latest Olympic pursuit, the memories he created and impact he had will not fade.

022 ALLISON SCHMITT SURGES TO FOURTH OLYMPIC TEAM: “THIS ONE IS DEFINITELY THE MOST EMOTIONAL”

by Dan D’Addona Allison Schmitt, who turned 31 a week before the start of the U.S. Olympic Trials, continues to defy age, defy odds and prove she belongs among the world’s elite. She qualified for her fourth Olympics—one short of the record for American women’s swimming—with a stunning burst of speed to finish second in the 200 free.

025 TOKYO TICKET DISSOLVES STRESS FOR REGAN SMITH AS BATTLE VS. McKEOWN AWAITS

by David Rieder Just days after surrendering her 100 back world record to Australia’s Kaylee McKeown, Regan Smith secured her spot at her first Olympic Games with a victory in the 100 back at U.S. Olympic Trials. Her strongest emotion, she said, was relief—to finally breathe with the stress of trying to become an Olympian suddenly lifted.

028 SIMONE MANUEL MAKES TRIUMPHANT RETURN TO OLYMPIC TEAM: “IT’S A BLESSING”

by Dan D’Addona After missing the final in the 100 freestyle, and detailing her struggles with overtraining leading up to the meet, Simone Manuel had to wait until the final night of the U.S. Trials to make the Olympic team. With a late reach to get to the wall first in the 50 free, she was able to punch her ticket to Tokyo.

030 CAELEB DRESSEL TIES AMERICAN RECORD IN 50 FREE; MICHAEL ANDREW TAKES SECOND SPOT AHEAD OF NATHAN ADRIAN

by Andy Ross America’s favorite men’s swimming star Caeleb Dressel tied his own American record of 21.04 in the 50 freestyle on the final night of the U.S. Olympic Trials.

033 PAIGE MADDEN OVERCOME WITH EMOTION AS TUMULTUOUS JOURNEY LEADS TO STUNNING OLYMPIC SPOT

by Dan D’Addona A torn meniscus, a year out of the water, then getting COVID-19 between NCAAs and the Olympic Trials would seem quite a difficult road to take to get to this summer’s Olympic Games in Tokyo.

034 ANNIE LAZOR MAKES DREAM COME TRUE WITH 200 BREAST OLYMPIC BERTH; KING JOINS WITH BREAST DOUBLE

by Andy Ross Five years after initially retiring after the 2016 Olympic Trials, 26-year-old Annie Lazor secured her first-ever Olympic berth by winning the 200 breast in 2:21.07.

036 NATALIE HINDS, OLIVIA SMOLIGA SHARE RARE BOND, NOW OLYMPIC TEAMMATES: “THAT IS WHY THIS IS SO SPECIAL FOR US”

by Dan D’Addona Natalie Hinds and Olivia Smoliga swim together in practice, and just like in practice, they pushed each other in the 100 free to finish third and fourth and punch their tickets to Tokyo, earning relay spots in the 4x100 free relay.

038 AN EMOTIONAL “FAREWELL” FOR MATT GREVERS, WHOSE CAREER HAS BEEN A “WARM EMBRACE ALL THE WAY THROUGH”

by Dan D’Addona Matt Grevers, aiming for his third Olympic team, fell four spots short in the 100 back of qualifying for Tokyo. But as he began to exit the pool deck, a thunderous ovation erupted for Matt. For nearly two decades, there hasn’t been a swimmer as universally revered and embraced by fellow swimmers, fans and everyone involved in the sport for so long.

040 ANTHONY ERVIN READY TO ‘‘LET THE TEAM GO ON WITHOUT ME’’ IN THE WATER, LEAD FOR CHANGE OUT OF THE WATER

by Dan D’Addona Anthony Ervin quietly swam the 50 freestyle in prelims. His time was respectable at 22.61, even more respectable at age 40. But Ervin wanted to have a sort of victory lap on his own terms in a sport where he is shifting gears from athlete to advocate.

041 KATIE MCLAUGHLIN ‘‘RIDING FULL WAVE OF EMOTION’’ AFTER ROCKY JOURNEY FINALLY LEADS TO OLYMPIC DREAMS

by Dan D’Addona As Katie McLaughlin was announced as an Olympian and the medal was placed around her neck, she was fighting back tears. It has been an emotional five years for McLaughlin.

The 2016 Trials were devastating, as she made several finals, but missed out on an Olympic spot by less than a second.

043 2021 U.S. Olympic Trials Photo Gallery Photos by Peter H. Bick

SWIMMING WORLD BIWEEKLY JUNE 2021 | ISSUE 12

PUBLISHING, CIRCULATION AND ACCOUNTING www.SwimmingWorldMagazine.com Publisher, CEO - Brent T. Rutemiller BrentR@SwimmingWorld.com Editor-in-Chief - John Lohn Lohn@SwimmingWorld.com Operations Manager - Laurie Marchwinski LaurieM@ishof.org Production Editor - Taylor Brien TaylorB@SwimmingWorld.com Circulation/Membership - Lauren Serowik Lauren@ishof.org Accounting - Marcia Meiners Marcia@ishof.org

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USA Swimming Officially Names Olympic Team For Tokyo

BY ANDY ROSS

W

ith the eight-day U.S. Olympic Trials coming to a close in Omaha, Nebraska, USA Swimming officially finalized and announced its team to go to the Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan. With 34 days remaining until swimming begins in Japan, the United States will be sending a total of 25 men and 28 women to the Games.

The team will head to Hawaii for its first part of training camp before they head off to Japan to race at the Games.

Men’s Team 1. Michael Andrew – 100 breast, 200 IM, 50 free 2. Zach Apple – 100, 4×200 free 3. Hunter Armstrong – 100 back 4. Bowe Becker – 4×100 free 5. Gunnar Bentz – 200 fly 6. Michael Brinegar – 800, 1500 free 7. Patrick Callan – 4×200 free 8. Brooks Curry – 4×100 free 9. Caeleb Dressel – 50, 100 free, 100 fly 10. Nic Fink – 200 breast 11. Bobby Finke – 800, 1500 free 12. Townley Haas – 200 free 13. Zach Harting – 200 fly 14. Chase Kalisz – 200, 400 IM 15. Drew Kibler – 4×200 free 8

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Jay Litherland – 400 IM Bryce Mefford – 200 back Jake Mitchell – 400 free Ryan Murphy – 100, 200 back Blake Pieroni – 4×100 free Andrew Seliskar – 4×200 free Tom Shields – 100 fly Kieran Smith – 200, 400 free Jordan Wilimovsky – 10K Andrew Wilson – 100, 200 breast

Women’s Team 1. Haley Anderson – 10K 2. Phoebe Bacon – 200 back 3. Erika Brown – 100 free 4. Claire Curzan – 100 fly 5. Catie DeLoof – 4×100 free 6. Kate Douglass – 200 IM 7. Hali Flickinger – 400 IM, 200 fly 8. Brooke Forde – 4×200 free 9. Katie Grimes – 800 free 10. Natalie Hinds – 4×100 free 11. Torri Huske – 100 fly 12. Lydia Jacoby – 100 breast 13. Lilly King – 100, 200 breast 14. Annie Lazor – 200 breast 15. Katie Ledecky – 200, 400, 800, 1500 free 16. Paige Madden – 400, 4×200 free

17. Simone Manuel – 50 free 18. Katie McLaughlin – 4×200 free 19. Allison Schmitt – 200, 4×100 free 20. Bella Sims – 4×200 free 21. Regan Smith – 100 back, 200 fly 22. Olivia Smoliga – 4×100 free 23. Erica Sullivan – 1500 free 24. Ashley Twichell – 10K 25. Alex Walsh – 200 IM 26. Abbey Weitzeil – 50, 100 free 27. Emma Weyant – 400 IM 28. Rhyan White – 100, 200 back Coaching Staff: • Dave Durden (head men’s coach) • Greg Meehan (head women’s coach) • Peter Andrew • Jack Bauerle • Bob Bowman • Todd DeSorbo • Catherine Kase • Ray Looze • Teri McKeever • Anthony Nesty • Gregg Troy ◄

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>> Anthony Ervin (left) & Nathan Adrian

‘‘Men Between Worlds’’: End of Unprecedented Era of Adrian, Ervin, Lochte, Grevers, Jones and Phelps

BY DAN D'ADDONA

I

t appears to be the end of an era in men’s swimming in the United States.

It was known as the “Phelps Era” for so long, but the era was so much more — it was a Golden Era in men’s swimming.

Lochte said. Phelps obviously brought a lot of recognition to the era, winning a record eight gold medals at the Beijing Olympics, and totaling a stunning 28 career Olympic medals — including a record 23 gold — spanning five Olympics.

The past week, we have seen the farewell — at least on the main stage — of Ryan Lochte, Matt Grevers and Anthony Ervin.

It is easy to overlook the greatness of the others in the group, which totaled 33 Olympic medals — including 20 gold not including Phelps. With Phelps, they won 61 Olympic medals, 43 of them gold.

Meanwhile, Nathan Adrian finished third in the 50 free to just miss a spot in Tokyo — and could still hold onto that mainstage speed a bit longer.

Lochte is in the top three all time. He still holds the world record in the 200 IM and was a four-time Olympian, winning 12 Olympic medals, including six golds.

But it was definitely the end of an era in Omaha for this group.

Nathan Adrian was a three-time Olympian, earning eight Olympic medals, including five gold, anchoring multiple U.S. relays to gold and winning the 100 free in London.

“We are the oldest of the fastest and the fastest of the oldest.

We are men between worlds,” Ervin said.

They were the last of the group that transformed swimming, a group that included Michael Phelps and Cullen Jones, who each left the big stage after 2016. The group made its entrance to the world stage in 2000 and has become a staple for longevity, with each of the six swimming well into their 30s and five of them swimming on the big stage after becoming fathers.

That is completely unprecedented in swimming.

“I think we are just showing the younger generation that you can do whatever you want for as long as you want. There are certain things that you’ve got to sacrifice and do outside of the pool and inside the pool that are different than when you were 20 years old, but you can go as long as you want,” 10

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Matt Grevers was a two-time Olympian, narrowly missing a third. He won five medals, including four gold and had a revered leadership role on the team.

Anthony Ervin was a three-time Olympian, including a stunning span from 2000 to 2012 before making the team again in 2016. He won four medals, including three gold, winning the 50 freestyle twice.

“Nathan was my teammate for years. Iron sharpens iron and we tested all the time. He is a champion. You see that in his conduct,” Ervin said. “Ryan and I had a great conversation the other day sharing our (memories) and plans and it had a lot of laughs and contemplation. What he has planning for the future is a beautiful thing. Cullen, it has been a real pleasure to work with him on Team Black.”

Cullen Jones, who is transforming inclusion within the sport, won four Olympic medals including two gold on relays and the silver medal in the 50 freestyle. He was the first AfricanAmerican to hold a world record and, along with Ervin, is leading the charge for change in the sport.

Plus they gave swimming fans — even the casual, only Olympic-time fans — consistent faces of dominance on the world’s stage and built an unparalleled camaraderie with this era.

[ PHOTO BY PETER H. BICK ]

They also brought stunning relay success to the U.S. with all six swimming multiple relays at the Olympics with at least one other member of the group, if not more.

>> Anthony Ervin, Nathan Adrian & Cullen Jones

“One thing about swimming that I love, you are a family. Because we are all close together. (Grevers, Adrian), Anthony Ervin, Michael Phelps, Cullen Jones, they’re my brothers. We keep in contact all the time, and like I said, we are a family. Being in that generation with them, in that era, means everything.

You are never going to forget that. You will take that to your grave.”

Swimming fans won’t forget this era, either.

It was the era that produced the best swimmer in history, the best group in history and a band of brothers that transformed swimming into more than just an Olympic sport.

And while they were doing that, they were inspiring a new generation of swimmers to keep the legacy going.

“If I am being honest I am not ready for a team without Nathan and those big guys,” Caeleb Dressel said. “I was really rooting for Nathan. Their impact is huge. They left behind some really big shoes to fill. I am not ready for it but I am going to have to be. What they left behind is huge — monumental.”

And that says it all about this group.

They care more about how they pass the torch than what they accomplish.

That example will ensure swimming is in good hands for years to come.

As Lochte put it: “That means more than any gold medal.” ◄ BIWEEKLY

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[ PHOTO BY PETER H. BICK ]

U.S. Olympic Trials: Katie Ledecky Makes History as 1500 Freestyle Door Opened to Women

BY JOHN LOHN - EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

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lash back to 1984. The scene was Los Angeles, and for the first time in Olympic history, a women’s marathon was contested. Its debut arrived 88 years after the men first raced the event at the inaugural Games in Athens, organizers of the track and field program finally recognizing that 26.2 miles could be handled just as competently by females as their male counterparts.

Joan Benoit was the gold medalist.

Next month, when the Olympic Games are held in Tokyo after a one-year delay due to the COVID-19 pandemic, swimming will have its marathon moment when the 1500-meter freestyle is first offered for women. It has been a men’s event at every Olympics since 1904, but until now, women have only been challenged as far as 800 meters.

Katie Ledecky is the overwhelming favorite to be the inaugural gold medalist.

Completing a grueling double that featured a triumph in the 200 freestyle at the top of the evening, Ledecky cruised to victory in the 1500 free, clocking a championship-record time of 15:40.50. Not only did she prevail by more than 10

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seconds over runnerup Erica Sullivan (15:51.18), Ledecky officially earned the right to chase history in Tokyo. Really, an inaugural 1500 free without her would be worthless.

“It’s an event I’ve always enjoyed,” Ledecky said. “We are making history tonight and in Tokyo. That’s fun in its own way and I’ve always enjoyed the training it takes to swim a good mile. It takes a lot mental toughness and strategy. I am pleased with how it went. It was a well put together swim. I didn’t die off or feel like I was dying on the back end.”

In the near decade since she emerged as a 15-year-old Olympic champion at the 2012 Games in London, Ledecky has been the class of the sport – specifically the distancefreestyle events. Until now, though, her 30-lap talent has been limited to the World Championships and select Pro Series meets. When she gets to demonstrate her worth on the Olympic stage, it should be a coronation.

The dominance shown by Ledecky in the metric mile is downright stunning. In addition to owning the 10-fastest performances in history, her world record of 15:20.48 sits 18 seconds clear of the No. 2 performer of all-time, Denmark’s Lotte Friis. To see her anywhere but on the top step of the

Earlier in the session, Ledecky bested the field in the 200 freestyle, confirming the defense of her title from the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. In that event, Ledecky touched the wall in 1:55.11, the back half of her race the difference. Over the last two laps, Ledecky split 59.03, the only closing 100 under a minute.

As Ledecky moved through the water in the 1500 freestyle, which started 90 minutes after >> Erica Sullivan the 200 free, she extended her lead with every stroke. It was a performance featuring power and grace and begged the question: How could Ledecky said. “I don’t know how much control I have over women not be given this Olympic opportunity the schedule, but the men have it a little easier. I don’t know at an earlier time. Especially with the marathon added 37 if they will ever change but I’m game for whatever.” years earlier, an obtuse view of women’s abilities was clearly taken.

In nabbing the second position, the 20-year-old Sullivan smashed her personal best and moved ahead of the iconic “As a father of four daughters, it’s frustrating that it took Evans to become the third-fastest American in event history. this long,” said three-time Olympic gold medalist and NBC Sullivan showed guts from the start, pressing to stay as close broadcaster Rowdy Gaines. “It’s unbelievable. Someone to Ledecky as possible. She ultimately held off her Sandpipers thought women were not strong enough, and 50 years ago, I teammate, Katie Grimes, who was charging at the finish and guess you could understand it, not that I agree with it. It’s a touched third in 15:52.12. relief (for the athletes). I just feel bad for the generation that didn’t get a chance. At least they’re The Olympic qualification of Sullivan doing it now.” can be considered a feel-good tale, DESIGNING & MANUFACTURING as she initially was a recruit of the HIGH QUALITY POOL DECK With the addition of the 1500 freestyle University of Southern California but EQUIPMENT FOR 89 YEARS! for women, the International Olympic endured several personal hardships.

Committee made the move to add Not only did Sullivan’s father pass way, the 800 freestyle for men. Still, a she took time to address her mental decision could have been made earlier health and worked on cleaning up some to either add both events, or drop the academic issues. Now, she will race women’s 800 free in favor of the 1500 in the first Olympic 1500 freestyle for freestyle. That approach would have her gender, along with the legendary demonstrated an appreciation for equal Ledecky. opportunity.

“I was supposed to hold it a little bit better and come back a little faster,” Sullivan said. “But I think the adrenaline of the race really amped me up for the first half and I think it set me up in a really good spot where if I did die, which I did, I was in a good spot.

The lack of the 1500 freestyle as an Olympic event robbed some big names of their chance at glory, such as Americans Debbie Meyer, Kim Linehan and Kate Ziegler. Count Aussies Ilsa Konrads, Shane Gould and Jenny Turall in the group, too.

And, of course, we cannot forget Janet Evans, the woman who held the title of greatest distance female before Ledecky came along.

“I’m grateful we have the mile now and I’ve spoken about the equity we have there and that’s the big step,”

800.824.4387 SRSMITH.COM

“I’m proud of the mental health barriers that I got through with my dad dying in 2017 and really hitting rock bottom in 2018 (from) the stress of losing a parent at 16 and having to get over the anxiety, the panic attacks, the PTSD and all of that. I’m so happy that I was able to overcome those.”◄ BIWEEKLY

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[ PHOTO BY PETER H. BICK ]

podium would mean disaster struck.

[ PHOTO BY PETER H. BICK ]

Kieran Smith Achieves Commanding 400 Free Victory, Ready to Take Next Steps in Tokyo

BY DAVID RIEDER

P

rior to the men’s 400 freestyle final at Olympic Trials, Kieran Smith felt the nerves creeping in — even as the favorite in a relatively weak field, with no American a lock to reach the Olympic “A” cut of 3:46.78. “I had to tell myself I belonged here, that I belonged in the position that I put myself in.”

But from the start, there was never any doubt that Smith would win easily, and indeed, the rising senior at the University of Florida dominated from start to finish. The only intial doubt was whether Smith would get under the “A” cut, but he ended up challenging the American record pace for much of the race, holding 28-mid and 29-low splits, and he pulled away from his closest competition on the final length. Smith swam a time of 3:44.86, crushing his previous lifetime best of 3:47.71, and he won the race by more than three seconds. While the men’s 400 free was considered an event of significant concern prior to the Trials, Smith did jump into the top 10 in the world (among swimmers qualified for Tokyo) with his effort, but only a tie for 8th.

“It’s a pretty good feeling. I’m really excited with that swim and I’m looking forward to improving upon that against

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the rest of the world,” Smith said after the race. “After this morning, I saw that the top eight was wide open, and I was not concerned about time tonight, and I wanted to make sure there weren’t two guys that could beat me.”

Smith had posted significant success in short course yards competition over the past few years, including crushing the American record in the 500-yard free in February in 4:06.32.

He also won the NCAA title in the 200-yard free earlier this year. After swimming no long course championship meets for two years thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic, Smith seemed poised to explode onto the long course scene at Olympic Trials, and he delivered to capture his first Olympic berth.

Still, Smith has had challenges in trying to convert his short course success into the 50-meter course.

“For me, the biggest challenge is carrying my momentum from halfway down the pool to the wall,” Smith said.

“Growing up, I didn’t have much access to a long course pool, so that was something I kind of struggled with in long course. Since coming to Florida, I’ve been able to develop some better power, some better efficiency with my stroke to carry me all the way down the pool. The 500, it’s fun because

you get a wall every 11 or 12 seconds, but the long course pool is the big boy pool.”

Smith will again be the Trials favorite in the 200 free, which begins Monday morning in Omaha. Smith is the top-ranked American in the world at 1:46.30, but he will again need to drop significant time in order to jump into the medal range.

His results will also be critical looking ahead to the men’s 800 free relay in Tokyo, where the Americans look like heavy underdogs right now after Great Britain, Russia and Australia have posted very impressive efforts at their respective Olympic Trials.

But in the meantime, Smith said, “I’m pretty confident for tomorrow. I think I’ll sleep pretty well tonight.”

Smith was the only swimmer to eclipse the FINA “A” cut and earn a spot in the race in Tokyo. Carmel’s Jake Mitchell was fifth with 50 meters to go, more than a half-second out of second place, but he sprinted home in 27.79, much faster than anyone else in the field besides Smith, and it was good enough to put Mitchell into second. He touched in 3:48.17, good enough to touch out NC State’s Ross Dant (3:48.30), DART’s Chris Weiser (3:48.42) and Arizona’s Brooks Fail (3:48.47).

No American won a medal in the 400 free at the 2016 Olympics, where the retired pair of Conor Dwyer and Connor Jaeger took fourth and fifth, respectively, and they did not medal at either the 2017 or 2019 World Championships, with only Zane Grothe finishing at the back of the final on both occasions. Previously, the Americans had won bronze at four straight Olympics, with Klete Keller in 2000 and 2004, Larsen Jensen in 2008 and Peter Vanderkaay in 2012.

Smith recognizes that he will have some work to do to put himself in medal territory at the Olympics, particularly after seeing four Australian men swim quicker times at their Trials the day earlier. While Smith was happy with the first half of his swim, which he called “comfortable,” he knows that 29low splits on the sixth and seventh 50s won’t get the job done against tough international competition in Tokyo.

“I think 3:44 for right now is pretty good,” he said. “I don’t know where I rank in the world right now. Hopefully it’s topeight or top-10. There’s definitely a little bit more work to do. The back half wasn’t perfect. I probably have a little bit more to give on the third-to-last 50 and second-to-last 50, but I think once I get thrown into a tight race, I’ll be able to do my best for Team USA.” ◄

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[ PHOTO BY PETER H. BICK ]

An Olympic Trials 200 Butterfly Final Without Michael Phelps? Strange, But a Chance to Relive Memories

BY JOHN LOHN - EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

W

e knew the day was coming. We’ve known it for five years, ever since he bid farewell to the sport at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. Sure, there were a few hopeful holdouts. They wanted one more run, one more chance to see The GOAT work his craft in a way only the likes of Beethoven or Monet could understand.

But Michael Phelps had a plan, and when the United States won the 400-meter medley relay in Rio, the end had arrived.

Twenty-eight Olympic medals. Twenty-three gold. More than three dozen world records. Millions of youngsters inspired and introduced to the water. A sport redefined. A man deserving of retirement.

For nearly two decades, Phelps was the face of his sport, and a force very rarely stopped. With his retirement, there would be a void. Of course, there would be successors on which USA Swimming could rely. Caeleb Dressel will star this 16

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week at the United States Olympic Trials in Omaha, and then compete as one of the most-watched athletes at next month’s Olympic Games in Tokyo. Ryan Murphy is a backstroke icon. Michael Andrew has backed up the precocious success he enjoyed as an age-group phenom.

Ah, but there is something different about a Trials without Phelps. While he has been present at the CHI Health Center, his role of spectator, fan and father is different from the King Fish identity that he long held. This Trials marks the first without Phelps since 1996, when the likes of Tom Dolan, Amy Van Dyken and Jeff Rouse were vying for homeOlympic invitations to the Games in Atlanta. That’s 25 years.

Before Katie Ledecky was born. Long before Regan Smith.

A time when Chase Kalisz was in diapers.

This column could have been written in the days or weeks before the Olympic Trials. It could have been penned on the

Through three rounds of building excellence, Phelps gave the world a glimpse of what was to come. There was a prelim performance of 1:58.61, good for a National Age Group record in the 15-16 classification. He got a little faster in the semifinals, going 1:58.24. Then came the final, the lid on his talent fully removed.

When Phelps was 11, and Bob Bowman was in the infancy of mentoring his protege at the North Baltimore Aquatic Club, he sat down with Phelps’ parents and told them their little boy was going to be an Olympian – and it might just happen soon. The prescience of Bowman makes for a great anecdote and – through the lens of two decades past – speaks to the understanding the future Hall of Fame coach had of his athlete.

There were Olympic crowns in 2004 and 2008, and another Olympic title in 2016, that victory returning to Phelps what he lost in 2012, when South African Chad Le Clos edged him at the wall. Five years after that redemption swim, Phelps is in the stands, and the United States needs a boost in the event that sparked a legend. The times posted by Harting and Bentz to qualify for Tokyo will not contend. This year alone, seven men have been faster than Harting, with 11 quicker than Bentz. More, Phelps’ last Olympic win arrived in 1:53.36. Obviously, considerable work remains, and perhaps improvements will be made in the next month.

In the meantime, Phelps is missed.

Yes, the day was coming. For four years, and then another thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic, we were well aware that the final of the 200 butterfly at the 2020ne United States Olympic Trials would not feature Michael Phelps. But even in the face of long-known reality, it is odd to not see him. No arm flaps. No low and long stroke to admire. No presence of a man as reliable as they have ever come. ◄

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Remember when it started? He walked the deck at the 2000 Olympic Trials in Indianapolis in anonymity. Coaches and the most diehard fans knew of his potential. And the Baltimore Sun, through the keen work of veteran journalist Paul McMullen, shed light on the precocious teen. Otherwise, his world was the antithesis of the inescapable spotlight that would follow him for the remainder of his competitive days.

and always will be, his baby.

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opening night of the meet. Yet, it felt more appropriate to write it now, on what was the fourth night of Trials. See, on this evening, the final of the 200 butterfly was held, with Zach Harting (1:55.06) and Gunnar Bentz (1:55.34) securing Team USA berths to Tokyo. It’s the event that launched Phelps’ career, the discipline that introduced him to the sporting world as a 15-year-old. That two different faces will stand on the blocks in Tokyo and represent the Stars and Stripes is, well, kind of odd – even if it was a foregone conclusion.

In the final in Indy, Phelps hit the 150-meter mark in fourth place, only to unleash a closing flourish that enabled him to run down all but eventual Olympic champion Tom Malchow and secure a place on the Sydney Olympic team. En route to a time of 1:57.48, the way Phelps closed served as an appetizer for the late-race greatness that would define his career.

The next month, at the Sydney Olympic Games, Phelps placed fifth in the final of the 200 fly, a mere .33 off the podium. The way he dropped large chunks of time at Trials and then in his first Games suggests that with a couple of more weeks, he might have captured the first medal of his career.

By March of the next year, Phelps was the world-record holder in the event, United States Nationals in Austin the site of a 1:54.92 performance that erased Malchow’s name from the record books. Seven more world records would come in the 200 fly and by the time Hungarian Kristof Milak broke Phelps’ last standard at the 2019 World Championships, the American had been on top of the event for 18 years. It was, BIWEEKLY

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[ PHOTO BY PETER H. BICK ]

As the Ryan Lochte Era Fades to Black, His Impact Will Continue to Be Felt

BY JOHN LOHN - EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

A

t 8:44 p.m., Ryan Lochte lifted himself out of the pool at the CHI Health Center in Omaha. His fifth United States Olympic Trials was done. He took a moment to acknowledge the crowd, hugged Chase Kalisz and Michael Andrew and spoke with NBC Sports. Eventually, he walked off the deck, his days as a competitive headliner in the sport behind him.

In a fairytale world, Lochte would have earned one more trip to the Olympic Games, one more opportunity to represent his country on the grandest of athletic stages. Sports does not work that way, though, and the undefeated Father Time tapped Lochte on the shoulder with the same message he has delivered to countless athletes through the years: It’s over.

The last chance for the 36-year-old to qualify for the Olympic Games in Tokyo was the final of the 200-meter individual medley. It is an event in which Lochte is the world-record holder, a four-time world champion and three-time Olympic medalist. But those accolades are from the past. At Trials, Lochte was good enough for seventh place, victory going to Andrew and Kalisz claiming the second invitation. Lochte was never a factor.

To be clear, Lochte didn’t say he was retiring during his postrace press conference. He hedged on his status going forward, repeatedly stating he wanted to change the sport and make it more popular. How? Those details need to be fleshed out.

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“I can tell you that I have no pressure on my back anymore,” Lochte said. “I was getting pressure from all different directions, mostly from me, because I wanted to prove so much to everyone. But this isn’t the last you’re going to see of me. Whether it’s in the pool or out of the pool making this sport bigger, I want to make swimming bigger than it is right now… I don’t know if this will be my last race. I don’t think so. It won’t be. There are still things I want to do. But now all the pressure’s off, and it’s going to be fun.”

Maybe Lochte will race in the future, but let’s be honest. In terms of representing the United States on the international stage, those days have passed. He’ll be 39 during the next Olympic Trials, and the physical challenges Lochte experienced in 2021 would only be intensified in 2024.

The Floridian is a polarizing figure in the sport. Many adore him – aside from his skill – for his fun-loving personality and longtime connections with fans. Just as many would not have cared if he disappeared a while back. They will not forgive his drunken escapades, primarily the Rio gas-station incident, or do not see his personality as endearing.

But here’s the thing: Lochte is a legend. One day, he will be enshrined in the International Swimming Hall of Fame. He surely attracted new athletes to the sport. He proved anyone is beatable. And he emanated a sense of joy when he raced and interacted with those who came to see him race. Those

[ PHOTO BY PETER H. BICK ]

>> Michael Andrew & Ryan Lochte

attributes, more than any of the follies, should be appreciated.

Credit Lochte for believing, until the end, that he was capable of qualifying for another Olympics. Athens and Beijing were not enough. Neither were London and Rio. He wanted Tokyo on the resume, too. He dedicated himself to his training under longtime coach Gregg Troy, balancing those demands with the family obligations that come with being a husband and father of two.

Even as his tuneup performances lacked pop and suggested his path to Tokyo was a minefield, he pressed on with confidence.

It might be argued in some circles that his constant belief in a positive outcome was lip service. Not true. One does not reach the success attained by Lochte without unwavering conviction.

“I really wanted to be on that Olympic team,” Lochte said.

“I think this is probably my most important swim meet that I’ve ever had in my entire career, the one that meant the most to me. Falling short and feeling like I let everyone down was one of the hardest things. I had my family there. My kids, they got to watch their daddy swim. I guess, you know what?

That means everything to me.”

A silver medal behind Michael Phelps in the 200 medley at the 2004 Olympics in Athens launched Lochte’s international career. The effort jumpstarted years of global excellence, including an initial individual world title in the 200 backstroke in 2007. Yet, Lochte was always a sidekick or an extra in the story of Phelps.

To most of the world, Phelps was out of reach. But Lochte did not adhere to that narrative and set out on a journey to become an equal of his rival. He changed his diet. He was fully invested in his training. He had a mental outlook that ran counter to the prevailing principle that Phelps was unstoppable. Ultimately, Phelps retired with a massive headto-head advantage in major clashes with Lochte. But Lochte topped his countryman in the 200 freestyle and 200 medley

at the 2011 World Championships, and won gold in the 400 I.M. at the 2012 Olympics, where Phelps was fourth and off the podium.

If nothing else, Lochte was an inspiration, a human cliché for beating the unbeatable, following dreams or hard work coming to fruition. Pick your favorite option. He was also a guy USA Swimming knew would fill seats – whether at the Olympic Trials, Nationals or Pro Series stops. Lochte recognized his role as an ambassador, best exemplified by posing for photos with fans or tossing a medal or other souvenir to a child in the stands.

Obviously, we cannot overlook his faults and the stumbles that will always be associated with his name. When he lied about being held up at a Rio gas station following the last night of swimming action in 2016, he embarrassed himself, USA Swimming and his nation. He incurred a suspension of 10 months. His TV show on the E! Network was a disaster, nothing more than eight episodes of drunken stupidity. And when he received a 14-month doping suspension in 2018 for receiving an IV infusion of a legal substance, his lack of attention to the rules prompted a reaction of: “Really, Ryan?”

At a time when USA Swimming is in transition, Phelps’ 2016 retirement now followed by the last days of veteran Matt Grevers and the aging of Nathan Adrian, too, the influence Lochte has had on the sport for nearly two decades outweighs his indiscretions. His 12 Olympic medals, a total bettered by only Phelps, should be appreciated. So should his influence on drawing youth into the pool. Kids thought Lochte was cool, so they joined a team. That connection is a plus.

Defining the success of Ryan Lochte can be achieved in several short words and phrases. Olympic champ. World titlist. World-record holder. Clutch performer. Desire. Belief.

And while time ran out on his latest Olympic pursuit, the memories he created and impact he had will not fade.◄ BIWEEKLY

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Allison Schmitt Surges to Fourth Olympic Team: ‘‘This One Is Definitely the Most Emotional’’

BY DAN D'ADDONA

A

llison Schmitt continues to defy age, defy odds and prove she belongs among the world’s elite — with her biggest performances on the biggest stage.

Schmitt qualified for her fourth Olympics — one short of the record for American women’s swimming — with a stunning burst of speed in the 200 freestyle during the United States Olympic Trials on Wednesday night. While she seemed to be a favorite for one of the four relay spots, Schmitt earned an individual swim in the event in which she owns the American record, with a swim of 1:56.79 to finish just behind Katie Ledecky (1:55.11). Paige Madden was just behind in 1:56.80.

“I knew it was going to be close, but I couldn’t tell how close until I got out of the water and saw one one-hundredth on the board. I knew that last 50, I was going to be kicking hard and relying on that training that we’ve done and put everything I’ve got into it to know that when I finished, there was nothing more I could do,” Schmitt said. “It’s special every time. This one is definitely the most emotional and I think it’s special to be here at 31 and have everyone in the stands that’s here supporting me and back home that aren’t able to be here and have been along on this journey the past four years.”

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So what does a fourth Olympics mean?

“I don’t really know what it means yet. I think it’s really fresh and it’s more than special to me now. I’m so excited to go and embrace those closest to me in celebration.”

That included Michael Phelps, who rushed down from the stands to meet Schmitt in the corner of the deck. The two shared a long embrace with both of them wiping away tears as they finally separated.

“I don’t even know how to put that into words. He’s been a brother inside the pool and outside the pool. He’s helped me so much and he’s helped me along the journey the whole way since our time in Michigan and even now when he’s not swimming, he’s a huge part of it,” Schmitt said. “So I just know it’s all of us combined and it’s not just me finishing.

There’s definitely tears and excitement.”

Schmitt qualified for her first Olympic Games in 2008. In 2012, she won the gold medal in London in the 200 free and

was on top of the world before things started to take a turn.

She has had a long road to get to these past two Olympic Games, including some dark days that shook her love of the sport and transformed her into one of the most outspoken leaders in raising mental health awareness.

“Successes in the pool are going to fade, but at the end of the day, it is what you can do with that. That platform for me is used for mental health. And I am passionate about that just like the sport of swimming,” Schmitt said. “We start to believe what people say on social media and it is a downfall of our society. Age is just a number right now. There are a lot of naysayers who think I am old. To be able to come back again is an honor.”

Dana Vollmer and Missy Franklin on relays and now will be joined on a relay with Ledecky, Madden and McLaughlin.

“It is a huge honor,” McLaughlin said. “She is such an amazing leader. She cares about everyone as much as her own swimming. She is such a steady positive energy that is really amazing to be around. I feel really honored to be on the relay with her.”

Madden agreed.

“It is pretty surreal. I never thought I would be in this position.

She is an amazing person,” Madden said. “I have looked up to her for a long time.”

She won gold in the 4×200 and silver in the 4×100 in Rio in 2016 in her thrilling comeback to the world stage.

Schmitt has won eight Olympic medals through three Games — four gold, two silver and two bronze. She will have a couple of chances to add to that with the individual 200 free and the 800 free relay alongside Madden, Katie McLaughlin and Ledecky.

“Watching these reactions of girls make the team, you can see the pride to be a USA Olympian, which is a huge honor,” Schmitt said.

“Katie’s amazing. She’s an amazing athlete, an amazing swimmer and I commend her for the journey she’s been on, what she has accomplished so far and what she’s going out to accomplish. As her teammate and as her friend, I’ll be there right along the way and cheering her on,” Schmitt said.

“Those names are the top of swimming,” Schmitt said. “To be included is an honor. But I know there is still more work to do.”◄

Now, Schmitt has that honor four times, something only Dara Torres, Jenny Thompson, Jill Sterkel and Amanda Beard have accomplished.

Ledecky echoed that respect.

“I think her smile brings people to her,” Ledecky said of Schmitt. “She’s just such a good friend to everyone, and no matter the outcome, she’s someone that you know has put in the work and done it over so many years. Qualifying for four Olympics is incredible, and it’s no easy task, and individually as well…. She has just been such a force in our sport, both in and out of the pool. I think my first interaction with her was probably in 2011 at — no, 2012 in the spring at the Charlotte UltraSwim. That was kind of a breakout meet for me and I got to race Allison a few times and was just thrilled to be in a lane next to her. She was so kind and so supportive and just —I think she was there, Michael was there, and of course they’re good friends, and all these Olympians, Katie Hoff I think was there. She gave me the award the other night.They were all coming up to me saying, ‘good job,’ or ‘keep it up.’

So then we went to London together, obviously, Schmitty and I, and I got to know her there, but I think our friendship has really taken off over the last couple years, and we’ve been on a lot of trips together. I’m excited … she will bring great leadership again, both in and out of the pool.”

Schmitt’s first relay involved legends Natalie Coughlin and Hoff. She spanned a generation of teaming with Rebecca Soni,

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[ PHOTO BY PETER H. BICK ]

Tokyo Ticket Dissolves Stress for Regan Smith as Battle vs. McKeown Awaits

BY DAVID RIEDER

J

ust days after surrendering her 100 back world record to Australia’s Kaylee McKeown, Regan Smith secured her spot at her first Olympic Games with a victory in the 100 back at U.S. Olympic Trials. With all eyes on Smith, she went out hard and flipped in 27.90, two tenths under McKeown’s world record pace and with a significant lead. On the back half, Smith received pressure from Katharine Berkoff in the lane next to her, but she never slipped from the lead. Smith touched the wall in 58.35, a bit slower than her 57.92 from the previous night’s semifinals that ranks her second in the world for 2021 but enough to secure a spot in her first Olympic Games.

Smith had been in the spotlight since qualifying for her first World Championships at age 15, and she steadily ascended up the ranks of global backstroking, culminating in her twoworld record breakout at the 2019 World Championships.

But she had not had the opportunity to aim for an Olympic team before Tuesday night, and upon seeing that she had

won, Smith began to tear up. The strongest emotion, Smith said, was relief, to finally breathe with the stress of trying to become an Olympian suddenly lifted.

“There were a ton of emotions after that race, and there still are, honestly,” Smith said. “I’m still trying to process everything, but it’s very special. That was a great race. I could have some things a little bit better. I had a great semis. I wish I could have repeated that, but you know what? It’s OK. I’m very happy with that race overall. Lots of relief, absolutely.

I’m just very happy. It was very special. Now, going forward, I’m just excited to have some of the pressure off my back.”

In the battle for second place, Berkoff looked strong for much of the race, but she faded slightly at the very end.

2016 Olympian Olivia Smoliga was right there, but it was Alabama’s Rhyan White getting in just ahead and qualifying for her first Games. White swam a time of 58.60, and she has actually been faster this year, having swum a 58.60 that ranks fifth in the world in May in Atlanta.

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[ PHOTO BY PETER H. BICK ]

REGAN SMITH / Continued from 25

In the 100 back semifinals, we got a hint that she was. Smith swam the race in 57.92, only her second occasion breaking the 58-second barrier after her initial world record swim at the World Championships and the fourth-quickest performance in history, a time only McKeown and Smith herself had ever surpassed. Smith showed a big smile after that race, her confidence maybe restored to its highest point since the direct aftermath of the World Championships.

“It’s awesome. I haven’t been under 58 in a very long time, so that feels great,” Smith said after the semifinals.

>> Rhyan White

“I tried not to think about expecting anything. I was kind of freaking out toward the end thinking, my legs are kind of falling off. But luckily I pulled it through,” White said. “I was just going into this trying not to expect anything. I told my friend just before that whatever happens is supposed to happen and it’ll all fall into place.”

Smoliga took third in 58.72, off both her semifinals time of 58.72 and her season-best of 58.31 that ranks fourth in the world. However, Smoliga will not be able to compete in the event at the Tokyo Games. Berkhoff ended up fourth in 58.82, and Isabelle Stadden was fifth in 59.37.

One of the most eagerly anticipated showdowns of the Olympic Trials did not disappoint, and the final was an incredible showdown. Almost none of the top finishers would be pleased with their times under normal circumstances, but the job was simply to get onto the team, and both Smith and White accomplished that.

Between her rapid ascension to the pinnacle of women’s backstroke, Smith was forced to wait. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, she had no opportunities to compete at top form the year after breaking world records in both the 100 and 200 back. That gap in major races, the training time missed due to the pandemic and some resulting challenges in training and racing created some doubt. At the same time, fellow 19-year-old Kaylee McKeown was exploding onto the scene, blasting remarkable swims in both backstroke events, all leading to McKeown taking down Smith’s world record in the 100 back with a time of 57.45 less than 72 hours before Smith would contest the event at U.S. Olympic Trials.

Leading into Trials, Smith felt immense stress and the pressure.

Was she still capable of such astounding performances, the likes of which had never been seem before 2019?

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As is always the case in an Olympic Trials final, the time did not matter as much as getting the hand on the wall. Smith admitted the adrenaline of the moment probably got the best at her and led her to over-exert herself on the first 50, which contributed to her slight fade at the end. Now that she is on the team, Smith thinks the pressure might lighten up heading into the remainder of her Trials program. She will be among the favorites to qualify for the Olympic team in the 200 fly, which has prelims beginning Wednesday morning, and the 200 back, where she remains the world record-holder, will begin on Friday.

After that, the question will turn to Tokyo, where the Smith vs. McKeown battle in both backstroke events will be a central focus. Asked about seeing her world record fall, Smith said she was happy for McKeown. “She had been very close to it multiple times, and so it was cool to see her grab it,” she said. “We have a great relationship. We don’t know each other super well, but I always send her a congratulatory text. I was just really, honestly, genuinely happy for her. And then it inspired me because I’ve had a tough year.”

That approach of congratulating and being happy for an inthe-pool rival stood in stark contrast to the swimmer seated next to Smith at the press conference podium, Lilly King, and at that point, King added, “What a nice kid,” prompting some laughter.

But Smith will surely have some work to do if she wants to go after McKeown in Tokyo, but simply getting Trials out of the way has restored some of her confidence that she will be up to the challenge.

“Now that I’ve made it and I can move on and compete with her head to head, it’s making me really excited to put my head down and train for a little bit, put my head down and see what I can do in Tokyo,” she said. “Now that this part’s behind me, yeah, I’m full-steam ahead, ready to go.” ◄

[ PHOTO BY PETER H. BICK ]

Simone Manuel Makes Triumphant Return to Olympic Team: ‘‘It’s a Blessing’’

BY DAN D'ADDONA

A

fter missing the final in the 100 freestyle, and detailing her struggles leading up to the meet with overtraining syndrome, Manuel wasn’t sure what she was going to be able to throw into the 50 freestyle. But she used a late reach to get to the wall first at the U.S. Olympic Trials and punch her ticket to Tokyo.

“When I touched the wall, I was like, ‘Please God, please,'” Simone Manuel said. “To see the first place was amazing. I had to sit back and say, ‘Thank you, God.’ I wouldn’t have made it here with the strength he has given me to continue on this path. Faith is hard and arduous. You know there is a bigger purpose in the end. It was a lot of emotions. It is special.”

Manuel won the race in 24.29 ahead of Abbey Weitzeil (24.30), the same duo that made it in 2016.

While Manuel was saying that prayer, Weitzeil was leaping over the lane line to share the moment. Sure, Weitzeil was happy to be making the team in another event, but she was

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thrilled Manuel will be on another Olympic team with her.

“I turned to my right and say Abbey shooting over the lane line,” Manuel said. “She and I have a friendly rivalry. She is a Cal Bear and a I am a Stanford Cardinal. Every time we step up on the blocks we push each other to be the best. To know the support she had for me is really nice when you have a competitor that competes with you on the blocks but really wants the best for you as a person. It means a lot that people feel that way about me. For someone to consider me a leader is an amazing compliment.”

Weitzeil immediately jumped over the lane line to hug Manuel. Just as they had done in 2016, they are going together in this event.

“I’m literally so excited for Simone right now. I don’t even care about the times. I looked at the board and saw she got first and I was so excited. I don’t even care about my race,” Weitzeil said. “She is just an amazing person and a teammate and a competitor. I was really rooting for her in that race. I

told Greg (Meehan) before I walked over because he said good luck, I was like, ‘We’re coming out together.’ During the race, I saw her right there and I was like, ‘Yes, let’s go, come on.’ That’s what I was thinking the whole time.”

“More than anything, I’m relieved,” Simone Manuel said. “Obviously, my goal was to make the Olympic team in the 100 and the 50, but to be back on the team and have another opportunity to swim for Team USA really is a blessing.

I’m just happy. Today may have been the longest day of my life. That 50 may have been the longest 50 of my life. I’m just glad to have it over and be able to regroup and get ready for the Olympics.”

[ PHOTO BY PETER H. BICK ]

Manuel missed the final in the 100 freestyle and announced her struggles with over training syndrome, the 50 free was her last chance to make the Olympic team after qualifying third for finals.

>> Simone Manuel with Abbey Weitzeil

Manuel said she was glad she shared her struggles publicly.

She felt like it took a weight off of her shoulders.

“I definitely think sharing that information allowed me to swim more free. But yeah, the last couple weeks and months have been hard. I’m a consistent hard worker, so taking practices off because my body wasn’t recovering or having to get out early because I may have been tired after a set was really hard for someone who loves to go to pract ice and work hard. Mentally, it was hard, and physically it was hard. I have a lot of work in the bank, so even though the last few weeks were tough, I think it was more important for me to stay motivated mentally more than anything,” Simone Manuel said. “Hopefully I can swim faster so I can win a medal for Team USA. I’m just happy to accomplish part of my goal.

Plans don’t always go as you want them to go, but I’m glad I can walk away with my head held high. Whether I made the Olympic team or not, I’m just glad that today worked out for me and I did it.”

Torri Huske finished third in 24.46, followed by Linnea Mack (24.49). Gretchen Walsh took fifth (24.74), ahead of Kate Douglass (24.78), Catie DeLoof (24.80) and Erika Brown (24.93) — all finishing behind Manuel and Weitzeil.

“Definitely I can’t complain. I made the Olympic team in everything. I’m super, super excited. There’s a lot to go and take from this meet and learn. Definitely need to and want to and know I can be a lot faster in five or six weeks. But just

taking a minute to celebrate and then getting back to work.”

The two of them made the team in 2016 in both sprinting events together and made it happen again. Meanwhile, Torri Huske, the American record holder in the 100 butterfly, was the second seed aiming to make the team in a second event (as were Erika Brown and Kate Douglass), while it was also Gretchen Walsh‘s last chance to join sister Alex on the team.

If that wasn’t enough, the final relay alternate spots all depended on how many swimmers already making the team made it in the 50.

“It’s been very different,” Weitzeil said. “I don’t know if I can explain exactly why, but it’s very different. From what I can remember, this is way more stressful than it was in 2016.

I don’t know if that’s because I feel like there’s more at stake.

I can’t explain why, but it’s definitely different, just also after this whole entire last year, but it’s fun. It’s fun to be racing again.”

That was all surrounding this one final race for the women, and it lived up to the hype.

Now. Manuel will reset and work with Meehan to come up with a training plan that gets her ready for Toyko, but also doesn’t lead into over training.

Greg is a serial planner. I am sure he will probably have a plan for me by tomorrow morning,” Manuel said. “I think right now it is important to rest and enjoy this moment.” ◄ BIWEEKLY

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[ PHOTO BY PETER H. BICK ]

Caeleb Dressel Ties American Record in 50 Free; Michael Andrew Takes Second Spot Ahead of Nathan Adrian

BY ANDY ROSS

A

merica’s favorite men’s swimming star Caeleb Dressel gave the Omaha crowd something to cheer about on the final night of the 2021 US Olympic Trials as he tied his own American record of 21.04 in the 50 freestyle, extending his lead on the rest of the world.

Dressel had the top time in the world with a 21.29, with Russia’s Vladimir Morozov behind him at 21.41 in the world rankings, and Dressel is now well in front of the rest of the sprinting world in this event – with the world record potentially coming next.

Olympic Games in Tokyo by finishing second in 21.48, as he remains fourth in the world. The time is just off of Andrew’s best of 21.46.

“Not as happy with the time but I’m very happy with another second,” Andrew said. “I knew that the field would be quick.

I knew that Nathan would be vying for a spot, and it’s always an honor to race those guys. I really just made sure I needed to not focus on what Caeleb was doing and swim my own race, and it was a good one. It’s still not a PB, but I guess we can save that for Tokyo.”

“I was super happy with that,” Dressel said. “There’s only so much you can think about in a race that lasts 21 seconds.

I knew I had a chance to be 21-low. I’m really, really happy with that. I held stroke together. I got a little choppy in the middle, but I think the beginning and the end were as good as it could have been.”

Andrew’s runner-up finish locks Nathan Adrian out of a fourth Olympic bid as he finished third overall at 21.73. For the first time since the 2007 Worlds, Adrian will not be on a major U.S. national team after also missing the final of the 100 freestyle.

Michael Andrew, 22, picked up his third event for the

“It was not what I was hoping for. It has been absolutely

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crazy,” Adrian said. “I don’t know to be honest what is next.”

“The thing that is so fun that we are still so far away from the true ceiling of how fast we can go,” Adrian said.

[ PHOTO BY PETER H. BICK ]

Adrian gave plaudits to Caeleb Dressel, who tied his own American record and remains the third fastest man ever in the 50 freestyle.

Dressel’s likely next step is to take a jab at the world record at the Olympics, the record having stood since the 2009 Worlds – 20.91 from Cesar Cielo. Dressel’s time also ties the fastest swim in textile – records we started keeping since the shiny suit ban went into effect at the start of the decade in 2010.

>> Michael Andrew

Bowe Becker, who will race in Tokyo for the 4×100 free relay, finished fourth at 21.78, lowering his best time of 21.83.

LASTING LEGACY Caeleb Dressel had the quickest reaction time at 0.60, and at 15 meters he had already established a noticeable lead even from the press corner on the lane eight side of the pool. By 25, Dressel and Andrew looked to be the clear two, while Adrian seemed like he needed a late push to get to the wall.

“The first time I got my hand on the wall before Nathan was in ’17 but that doesn’t mean I stopped leaning on him or stopped looking up to him,” Caeleb Dressel said after the meet. “Every meet since ’16 with Nathan, I’ve leaned on the guy. If I’m being honest I am not ready to be on a team without Nathan, and I told him that.

It was not in the cards however for Adrian, who finished in third with his fastest time in the 2020 Olympic cycle. Dressel and Andrew are off to the Olympics in their third events as Dressel will swim the 100 free and 100 fly, while Andrew will swim the 200 IM and 100 breaststroke.

“Just what he brings to the team, his impact and what he presents to the team is huge. He left behind some really big shoes to fill and I am not ready for it. I’m going to have to be.

It doesn’t fall just on my shoulders. Everyone who is on the team is going to have to pick up the pace because what they left behind is huge. I was really rooting for Nathan but the point of this meet is to pick the two fastest guys so everything he left behind is monumental.”

Adrian did not indicate whether he was done after this – the last few years have been a rocky road, both good and bad, for him. In 2019, he announced a testicular cancer diagnosis, and in 2021 he became a father to a baby girl.

THE ROAD TO TOKYO CLEARS For Michael Andrew, his third event for the Olympics is a mission accomplished for him and his father, Peter, who was named to the USA Swimming coaching staff for the Games.

Adrian has long been one of the faces of USA Swimming – making his first Olympic team in 2008 at age 19. In 2009, he won his first national titles in the 50 and 100 freestyle, and since then has been the go-to man in those events. Adrian’s 100 free Olympic gold medal in 2012 marked him as the first American man to win the event since 1988, and in 2016 he found his way back to the podium with the bronze medal.

“For me, this was the plan coming into it,” Andrew said of qualifying for the 50. “Our training, starting in January, we started from scratch thinking 100 breast, 200 IM, 50 free, those are our focuses. And we came in and executed, focused on the details and by the grace of god, everything worked out accordion got the plan.”

He anchored the gold medal winning relays in the 4×100 free and 4×100 medley in 2016. Needless to say, seeing Adrian not make a US national team is not a common sight to any of these fans in Omaha. When he left the deck without signing the drum for Tokyo, it became a surreal feeling for those in the crowd, knowing Adrian would not be going to Tokyo.

For the whole US Olympic swim team, next is a training camp trip to Hawaii before the team heads to Japan, something Dressel is very much looking forward to.

“That’s been my favorite part of every national team trip I’ve been on is training camp,” he said. “It’s messing around and making memories, getting a good laugh here and there.

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CAELEB DRESSEL / Continued from 31

that. I am excited for training camp and the nerves are done – this was the hard part.

This meet is grueling…there are parts of this meet that really, really suck and there are parts of this meet that are really, really fun if you get your hand on the wall first or second.”

[ PHOTO BY PETER H. BICK ]

Dressel has been one of the top swimmers in the world since 2017, having won the world swimmer of the year by this publication in 2017 and 2019, and now will have a chance to fight for the gold medal in the 50 and 100 free, and the 100 butterfly.

Dressel’s times in the pool have been stellar – he is leading the world rankings in two of his three events, and is chasing world records in all of them. Dressel is no stranger to eight day international meets, and is ready for the challenge the Olympics will bring.

“These meets are really tough for me,” Dressel said. “I’ve always been a double taper kind of guy so it’s really tough to get everything in to gear to get your hand on the wall first at these meets and there’s some guys who can really show up at the first go-around. I’ve really struggled with that so I am excited to swim again in a month.

>> Nathan Adrian

Everybody is on taper so everybody is feeling good about themselves. It’s such a good time – all of it.

“Training camp is when you become Team USA and I’m really looking forward to that. It doesn’t happen overnight.

The team is so young, I am going to have to learn everyone’s name! I’m so bad with names and I am kind of nervous about

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“There’s plenty that we can do to get better and move forward from this. This was a really fun meet. I think I got better each event. I feel fine right now and I’m ready to get back in the water for the plan but you have to enjoy the moment, which is something I struggle with. I get myself tonight and I’ll be ready to roll tomorrow and I’ll get back to training plan and get ready to move forward.”

As for finals being held in the morning in Japan, that doesn’t faze Dressel in the slightest.

“The pool is going to be the same length so not too much is going to change,” he said. “You might have to adjust some things here or there, a couple more sprint sets in the morning. Other than that, if you aren’t fired up to swim at the Olympics, something is wrong with you, so it doesn’t matter it is morning or night.” ◄

[ PHOTO BY PETER H. BICK ]

Paige Madden Overcome With Emotion as Tumultuous Journey Leads to Stunning Olympic Spot

BY DAN D'ADDONA

I

t seems like a banner journey for Paige Madden. After winning all three of her events at the NCAA Championships and leading Virginia to its first team title, Madden kept the momentum going to Omaha and likely made the Olympic team. “(This year) has been tremendous for me,” Paige Madden said.

While it seems an almost storybook ending, the journey has also been tumultuous for Madden.

A torn meniscus, a year out of the water, then getting COVID-19 between NCAAs and the Olympic trials is a difficult road to Tokyo.

But somehow, Madden was able to overcome even the most recent of obstacles and get her hand on the wall ahead of everyone except Katie Ledecky in the women’s 400 freestyle final.

Madden was visibly overtaken by the moment in the water as she looked up at the scoreboard and was embraced by Ledecky.

She was the last one out of the water, again taking a moment to soak it all in before exiting the pool.

Then the 22-year-old first-time Olympian walked down toward the warm down pool only to have her Virginia teammates erupt loud enough for the entire CHI Health Center to hear.

The tears continued to flow from there. “(My teammates) were all crying. I was crying. I was in shock and it was special to enjoy this with them,” Paige Madden said.

Madden thought about her journey — and every roadblock in the way.

“Two years ago, I tore my meniscus eight weeks out from WUGs. So my summer wasn’t my best but in retrospect it was really good for me,” she said of how she handled a quick recovery before a big meet.

That was a huge factor in her performance so far at trials.

Just a couple of months ago, Madden wasn’t even sure if she would be healthy enough to swim, even after winning NCAA titles in the 200 free, 500 free and 1,650 free.

“I have matured a lot in this past year. These last few months ave been a roller coaster,” Madden said. “I actually got COVID right after NCAAs. Honestly, that made me all the more tougher and having my team back me up has been really good.”

It was so tough, she said she still feels lingering affects of the virus, though she has been negative for months.

“Today I still get some chest pain with lingering affects (from COVID),” she said. It didn’t show in the 400 free final.

While Ledecky pulled away from the field early, the race for second place was extremely intriguing with several swimmers in the hunt.

Madden and former Cavalier Leah Smith passed Sun Devil’s Emma Nordin in the last 50 meters or so before Madden made her late move to pull away from Smith and finish in 4:04.86.

The roller coaster of a journey then became a roller coaster of emotions as Paige Madden was overcome with tears of joy.

After all she has been through, how could it not mean that much to her? ◄ BIWEEKLY

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[ PHOTO BY PETER H. BICK ]

Annie Lazor Makes Dream Come True With 200 Breast Olympic Berth; King Joins With Breast Double

BY ANDY ROSS

F

ive years after initially retiring after the 2016 Olympic Trials, 26-year-old Annie Lazor secured her first ever Olympic berth on Friday night in the 200 breaststroke with a 2:21.07, which put her third in the world for 2021.

Lazor finished ahead of her Indiana teammate Lilly King (2:21.75), who already won the 100 breast earlier in the meet and will be off to Tokyo to try and get on her first international medal stand in the 200. King has been the top sprint breaststroker in the world since 2016, and has swum the 200 internationally at every meet since 2016, but has yet to get on the podium. In 2016, she was 12th in Rio. In 2017, she was fourth at the Worlds in Budapest, and in 2019 she was disqualified in the prelims at Worlds where she looked to have had her best shot to win the gold medal. Now, she sits sixth in the world as the race looks wide open come Tokyo in five weeks.

Lilly King set the pace early, turning under world record pace at the 50 with a 31.66, and in the lead at the 100 at 1:08.18.

It seemed King needed a bigger lead on the likes of Lazor, Emily Escobedo and Bethany Galat, who have been known to have stronger back halves than the sprint specialist King.

At the halfway point, Escobedo (1:08.61) was in second and Galat (1:08.68) was in third. Lazor was holding her own in fourth at 1:08.68 and it would come down to these four to make the team, with 2018 national champ and 2012 Olympic finalist Micah Sumrall in fifth at 1:09.51.

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On the third 50, Lazor pressed on the gas, splitting a 35.97 to take the lead at 1:44.87, her split a half second ahead of the rest of the field. King was in second at 1:45.20, but her 37.02 was allowing Galat (36.56) and Escobedo (36.78) to close the gap. As the field turned for home with spots to the Olympics on the line, Galat was 0.04 behind King in third (1:45.24) and Escobedo was fourth at 1:45.39. Galat, the 2017 Worlds bronze medalist, and Escobedo, the 2019 World University Games silver medalist, looked poised to pull the upset of the meet and knock King out of the 200.

But on the final 50, Lazor and King powered to the finish as the two teammates at Indiana University both split under 37 seconds with Lazor coming home in 36.20 and King in 36.55. Escobedo (37.25) and Galat (37.57) did not have it in the cards tonight as Lazor touched first in 2:21.07 and King in second at 2:21.75. The two Hoosier teammates were off to the Olympic Games.

“It sounds amazing,” Annie Lazor said of being an Olympian.

“I just wanted to do it for my family. I wanted to give them something to be excited about. To see them in the stands and having Lilly next to me, who’s like my family, I can’t put it into words. It’s unreal.”

“That’s probably the most excited I’ve been after one of those races,” King said. “It’s just a really, really special moment between the two of us. We’ve been through hell and back

LAZOR’S JOURNEY Annie Lazor initially walked away from the sport after the 2016 Trials, where she was seventh in the Trials final in the 200.

That year she graduated from Auburn and professional swimming didn’t seem like an >> Lilly King option, so she took a job at Cal Berkeley as an operations intern with men’s swimming and beach volleyball. Her career didn’t finish the way she wanted at Auburn, but she believed that it just wasn’t meant to be, and she walked away from it.

“I was really frustrated and thought I needed that time and didn’t set a time for me to come back and didn’t really think I was going to come back,” Lazor said.

But in 2017, she was starting to miss the sport. A desk job could be hers for her entire life, but being a swimmer wasn’t going to be an option forever. She didn’t want to look back in five or ten years down the road and regret leaving. So she decided to try it out at Indiana University, which at the time had the top breaststroker in the United States – Lilly King, and head coach Ray Looze wanted her approval to have Lazor come and train with the breaststroke group.

“For her to accept a competitor into her training environment speaks about the kind of competitor she is,” Lazor said.

And on Friday night in Omaha, for Lazor to realize her Olympic dream with King in the second spot behind her – it meant that much more.

“She has been there for me in ways I can’t even describe.

Words kind of fall short to be quite honest. But you know what? She is my family outside my family and the people I train with every day are my family. The last few months from me have been far from easy, but she has dragged me through the mud and pushed me every day and distracted me. Before we got up for the 200 breast, she told me she loved me and ‘let’s just do this!’ That was all I needed to hear.”

Lazor showed lots of perseverance after coming into the meet as a big favorite to make the team in the 100 breast, before ultimately falling third.

“Right after I got third, I felt bad for a second because I

[ PHOTO BY PETER H. BICK ]

together, even the last three, four years. Just seeing someone make their first Olympic team who’s been there every single day with you training and fighting and everything we’ve done together and seeing that pay off for you, that’s just so, so awesome. “

wanted her to be able to celebrate the fact that she just made her second Olympic team and has been so dominate in that race over the last five years, but I could tell she was torn between wanting to celebrate and be heart broken with me, so I felt bad that she felt like she had to pull her heart in two different ways.

“After that, her confidence never faded in me. I had a great race. I just got beat by the two fastest times in the world; that’s all that happened. I didn’t lose any confidence in what I was going to do in the 200 and neither did she. To have one of the most confident swimmers in the world say that to you is incredible.”

Lazor’s father passed away earlier this year, and this was her first swim meet since his death.

“It’s still hard to put into words – still such a shock for me and my family. One thing it’s taught me is that the people that are close to me mean more to me now than ever. The people who are there for you and reach out to you in your highest of highs but especially in your lowest of lows, words fall short on how much it really means.

“It’s unbelievable the amount of love that you see from people who will literally drop anything for you in that time of despair.”

Lazor, who is on her first Olympic team at age 26, was applauded by her fellow teammates on the Olympic team for her courage. 200 back champ Ryan Murphy, who shared a press conference with Lazor, wasn’t even asked about her but offered plaudits to her efforts in the 200 breaststroke.

“She worked at Cal in 2016 and 2017, and made a big impact on our program,” Murphy said. “She deserves it more than anyone. She is going to be a great leader for Team USA.” ◄ BIWEEKLY

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[ PHOTO BY PETER H. BICK ]

>> Olivia Smoliga & Natlie Hinds with Abbey Weitzeil (center)

Natalie Hinds, Olivia Smoliga Share Rare Bond, Now Olympic Teammates: ‘‘That Is Why This Is So Special for Us’’

BY DAN D'ADDONA

N

atalie Hinds and Olivia Smoliga are seemingly inseparable.

In practice, they swim together. Both breathe on opposite sides for freestyle, so they spend most training sessions facing each other.

That was the case in Friday’s 100 freestyle final as well. After finishing the semifinals in a stunning tie, the duo faced each other — literally — in the finals. Just like in practice, they pushed each other and both punched their ticket to Tokyo by earning relay spots in the 4×100 relay, taking third and fourth in the 100 free.

Fitting, since they are almost inseparable.

“This is such a full-circle moment for us. I know Liv feels the same,” Natalie Hinds said. “She has been there with me since I was out of shape and since then, we have gone through the ups and the downs, all the Pro Swim Series, all the hard practices, and this is just so special. Like we were saying earlier, we were next to each other in this final and she breathes to her right, and I breathe to my left so it was literally like practice, kind of glorified but it was nice to have that, and I think that helped us.”

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That incredible bond started after Hinds had retired from swimming. After starring at the University of Florida, she left the sport after graduation. But the passion was still there and she made a comeback, deciding to train in Athens, Georgia, alongside Smoliga.

“This is incredible to have been right next to Nat and right next to Abbey (Weitzeil), because I know both of them take it out. I know I have to do work coming back, but I like it that way. This has been incredible.”

It didn’t start incredibly for Smoliga. Looking poised to repeat as an Olympian in the 100 backstroke, she was touched out for the second spot, finishing third. She had to deal with those heartbreaking emotions and come out of it ready to turn the page into the freestyle.

This time, when she saw she was on the team, emotions poured out of her when she saw the board, and again when she got her medal.

“I can’t even describe the things that were going on in my head after the 100 back and how I really had to dig myself up out of it, but I’m really proud of myself that I did,” Smoliga said. “This was really tough. I feel like part of the reason why

I was so emotional after this 100 free was missing the team in the 100 back was so hard. It didn’t hit me immediately after because I knew I had this 100 free coming up. What you tell yourself, like Abbey said, how you try to bounce back, it’s something I’m really grateful for because it was really hard to get through it. Having the opportunity to race these girls here to push me to be my best, I mean, you don’t put in years of work for nothing. You have to remind yourself of that.”

“I took a break after 2016 Trials and after the 50 I just went home for three months, then I graduated college and got a regular job. Then I moved to Atlanta, and I worked for Turner Broadcasting for a year-long internship, which I absolutely loved. Then I don’t know, I saw 2018 Nationals and I was like, man, they’re having a lot of fun. I was sitting at a desk 9 to 5, and I was like, I don’t want to do this anymore. So I had a conversation with my parents and decided, like, OK, I’m going to do this. Then I moved to Athens within the next five days after that decision, and it was scary. I feel like the reason I’m so emotional that I made this team is because I’m just really proud of the courage and vulnerability that I showed myself, that I had a goal and I did absolutely everything that I could do to obtain that goal, and I finally did.

“So that break for me was such a blessing. I learned mostly that, you know, walking on deck here I was like, I have a different perspective. I know what life is like outside of swimming, so I know how much I love swimming and how much this moment means to me. I think that’s what I learned from the break. It was a good mental break for me as well.”

And she reconnected with Smoliga.

[ PHOTO BY PETER H. BICK ]

Natalie Hinds had to remind herself after 2016 that she still loved the sport — and could compete at that level.

“She slept on my couch for the weekend to just see what’s up and the next weekend, she moved to Athens,” Olivia Smoliga said.

“That’s why it’s so emotional because Liv is the first person I saw when I drove and parked in Athens, and she did nothing but help me,” Natalie Hinds said. “She helped me set everything up, helped me with setting up weights and coaches and, this is what we do here. I’m so grateful for her, and that’s why this moment is so special for us.”

Now, more special moments are in store as they will be almost inseparable in Tokyo, not just as Olympic teammates but get to swim on the same relay in Tokyo aiming for a gold medal — together. ◄ BIWEEKLY

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[ PHOTO BY PETER H. BICK ]

An Emotional ‘‘Farewell’’ for Matt Grevers, Whose Career Has Been a ‘‘Warm Embrace All the Way Through’’

BY DAN D'ADDONA

M

att Grevers got out of the pool somewhat disappointed, but before he could think about what could have been his last 100 backstroke on the big stage, a wave of jubilation overtook him as he reached the pool deck.

appreciate not just me the swimmer and my performance, but me as a person and that means more to me than any performance I have had. Thank you so much fans — that meant a lot.”

Grevers, who was aiming for his third Olympic team, fell four spots short of qualifying for Tokyo, but as he began to exit the pool deck, a thunderous ovation erupted — and it took Grevers a second to realize the ovation was for him.

It meant a lot to the fans and the sport as well.

He raised his hands to the crowd, embraced the moment with them before exiting America’s biggest stage for perhaps the final time. It was a moving scene for both Grevers and the rest of us in the arena, who have embraced him since he first burst onto the scene leading up to the 2008 Olympics.

“I almost started crying. That was amazing. This sport has been so good to me and fans have been so supportive. My family members, friends, it has just been a warm embrace all the way through,” Matt Grevers said. “To get a standing ovation even though I got sixth was amazing. It shows people 38

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It wasn’t his last race at Trials, but it was the last in his signature event. He will swim the 50 freestyle Saturday in a kind of farewell swim that could come in the prelims, semis or even Sunday’s finals.

Grevers, who won four gold medals and one silver during his Olympic career, has been a fan favorite for more than a decade.

It wasn’t because he was one of the world’s best swimmers, of course that gave him a big of a spotlight at times.

It was because Grevers has been a rare athlete in the spotlight who has been 100% genuine for his entire career, not shying

away from showing his feelings, emotions and how much he cares for the sport.

The spotlight was never so bright that he didn’t have time to sign autographs or give interviews.

And when fans read or saw those interviews, they were experiencing his genuine feelings, not holding back, hiding anything or ever dodging a question. He faced everything head on.

That transparency allowed fans to embrace Grevers more than other swimmers.

>> Matt Grevers with wife, Annie, at Golden Goggles

Once he was embraced, fans weren’t letting go.

The triumphs were all the more triumphant because his genuine persona allowed fans to experience the emotions along with Grevers, something unparalleled in swimming.

[ PHOTO COURTESY: KARA SEKENSKI ]

When he won the 2012 Olympic trials in the backstroke, Matt Grevers was so excited — just like a little kid. This from the top seed in the meet, who made the Olympics in 2008 beforehand.

When he won gold in the 100 backstroke in London, he roared. It was felt in the arena and through televisions around the world. Fans couldn’t help but be elated for someone so down to earth and relatable.

On the flip side, Grevers’ most disappointing moments were felt just as closely by fans. When he finished third at the 2016 Olympic trials, the entire arena felt heartbreak. It was even difficult for the swimmers who made it ahead of him to talk about it. He is that revered by his fellow swimmers.

That is the legacy of Matt Grevers.

But in true Grevers fashion, he faced the moment head on.

He didn’t run from the media, he stood there and emotionally shared his heartbreak with the entire swimming world. He dealt with the heartbreak, became a parent with wife Annie and refocused his entire life.

Whether he is actually done swimming at this level or not, that legacy is something that we are all going to take with us.

For nearly two decades, he has towered over the swimming world — though not because of his height. There has been no swimmer as universally revered and embraced by fellow swimmers, fans and everyone involved in the sport for so long.

He gave everything to the sport and allowed us all to join the ride, not just watch it.

“Next step is probably doing more with real estate, maybe starting a swim school, and just being a dad again,” Grevers said. “I love swimming, so I am going to keep doing it in some way, shape or form. If I can be competitive, I will keep trying to stay out there … I had a blast.”

So did we Matt — so did we. ◄ BIWEEKLY

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[ PHOTO BY PETER H. BICK ]

Anthony Ervin Ready to ‘‘Let the Team Go on Without Me’’ in the Water, Lead for Change Out of the Water

BY DAN D'ADDONA

A

nthony Ervin quietly swam the 50 freestyle in prelims on Saturday. His time was respectable at 22.61, even more respectable at age 40.

But Ervin wanted to have a sort of victory lap on his own terms in a sport where he is shifting gears from athlete to advocate.

“My purposes for being here were both selfish and about others. I knew it wasn’t going to be about me but I also didn’t want to deny myself the experience to come to trials and do the best I can and let the team go on without me,” Anthony Ervin said. “I wanted that experience. I wanted to put that in my own story.”

Ervin shared Olympic gold with Gary Hall Jr. in 2000 — 21 years ago — in the 50 free, then captured the title 16 years later in Rio de Janeiro, a stunning span of time to achieve such a feat for a second time.

He was a three-time Olympian, including a stunning span in between 2003 and 2010 where he was out of the sport, before making the team again in 2012 and 2016. He won four Olympic medals, including three gold.

Ervin recalled his first trials experience in 2000 in Indianapolis.

“There is 21 years of difference. The snapshots of memory from 2000, I was young, naive and hopeful when I went to go test myself at trials. My name is on the wall (in Indianapolis) and to see it there still brings me back,” he said. “The stage is familiar. The meets, the rig of how we proceed through it, even arriving here. Then you go and compete and perform. It is my time off the stage right now.”

So what does that mean for Ervin? He said he hopes to return to Hawaii and do a channel swim. But his biggest role in the sport will now be out of the water.

“On a personal level I am going to go see my family for a while.

Other than that just have to wait and see,” he said. “As much as

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I love the water and love the training, I spent more energy with my involvement as an athlete rep and using the athlete rep, trying speak up for the athlete. That is where my passion has gone. My best work may take root to lead to positive change.”

That is what drives Ervin in the sport now.

“Coming from where I am it is an experience of isolation.

It is lonely at the top but it starts so much earlier if you are an underrepresented minority,” Ervin said, who is one of the core group members for Black Leaders in Aquatics Coalition (BLAC). “Maritza (Correia McClendon) has really done the big work on this. And it has only just started.”

Ervin said having the group has allowed them to truly know each other and what everyone has gone through in different ways, rather than hearing bits and pieces from time to time.

“When we all got together and began sharing our experience all at the same time there was a network affect to it. I really think we can help build lasting change in the pursuit of justice.”

That includes standing up to the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee about their stance on social protests at the Olympics.

“We want to ensure the athletes know that the USOPC isn’t going to have their boot on our neck if we need to (stand up for an issue),” Anthony Ervin said.

So, while Ervin might not be making another Olympic team this year, his impact will continue to be far more than that of a gold medalist. He is a respected, outspoken leader, who has the passion to fight for change and see that fight through.

That is why the legacy of Anthony Ervin is far from complete. ◄

[ PHOTO BY PETER H. BICK ]

Katie McLaughlin ‘‘Riding Full Wave of Emotion’’ After Rocky Journey Finally Leads to Olympic Dreams

BY DAN D'ADDONA

A

s Katie McLaughlin was announced as an Olympian and the medal was placed around her neck, she was fighting back tears.

It has been an emotional five years for McLaughlin.

The 2016 trials were devastating as she made several finals but missed out on an Olympic spot by less than a second.

Now in 2021, McLaughlin finished fourth in the 200 freestyle to clinch a spot on the 800 free relay for the U.S. — and earn a spot in Tokyo.

“I am riding a full wave of emotion. I think when we rose up, I welled up a little bit. Seeing my family — my mom almost pulled me into the stands. Things like that and seeing my teammates and how excited they are for me and Teri (McKeever) and all of my supporters. That is the biggest thing that helps it set in. I almost start crying (again) when I think of all of those people.”

Especially her teammates who were so happy for her, despite not being in the best position themselves at that point in trials.

McLaughlin was on the flip side of that four years ago, so knows how hard that can be.

“After I got out of the pool, Abbey (Weitzeil) and Kathleen (Baker) were right there to hug me. They were both welled up with tears. It was really special,” McLaughlin said. “It is cool to have friends like that that when things aren’t necessarily going their way, they can still appreciate it for me.”

And McLaughlin can appreciate her own rocky journey to this moment.

In 2016, McLaughlin finished eighth in the 200 freestyle, mission a position on the relay by two spots — and less than a second. She finished sixth in the 200 butterfly, missed the final in the 100 butterfly by one spot, finishing ninth, and was disqualified in the 100 free.

After a stellar career at Cal where she was known for her versatility and innate ability to swim All-American doubles at the NCAA championships, McLaughlin decided to become a professional swimmer in hopes of reaching her Olympic dreams in 2020.

The pandemic completely altered her first year as a pro, and a shoulder injury that required surgery left her chances of making the team in 2021 in doubt.

But McLaughlin put together some strong swims to start the week and build her way to an Olympic swim. She finished fifth in the 100 butterfly (57.72) on Monday before shifting her focus to the 200 freestyle.

“Coming into the meet my intention was no matter what happens in the 100 fly, with the 200 free the next day … next event up.”

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>> Katie Ledecky, Allison Schmitt, Paige Madden & Katie McLaughlin

McLaughlin put together a strong back-half of the race to get her hand on the wall fourth to clinch a relay spot, finishing in 1:57.16 to join Katie Ledecky, Allison Schmitt and Paige Madden on the relay.

“There is something about stepping up on the blocks when you are not representing yourself but your team or your country that is just — it pulls something out of you there.

It’s just always exciting and fun to race. I don’t know, I like swinging into the water instead of doing a start, you know?”

McLaughlin said.

McLaughlin focused on events that could get her those relay spots, even giving up an unexpected event.

The 200 fly was an event seen as a contending event for McLaughlin, but she decided well before trials that she wasn’t going to swim that race anymore.

She is swimming the 100 free and has the 10th seed heading into semifinals, another event alongside Schmitt, who has impacted many swimmers with her leadership, including McLaughlin.

“It’s really exciting. If anything the best way to put it is it’s a huge honor. Schmitty is such an amazing leader and cares about everyone’s swimming just as much as her own swimming. I’ve gotten the opportunity to travel with her a 42

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ton and gotten to look up to her and she is such a steady, positive energy that is just really amazing to be around,” McLaughlin said. “I feel really honored to be able to swim with her and lookup to her in our races and lean on her as an amazing leader and someone who always has something positive to say with a smile on her face. It’s just awesome.”

McLaughlin has been one of the best relay swimmers in recent memory at several levels. She has been on Team USA relays at the world championships and helped Cal set NCAA records in relay championships. But a relay in the Olympics is another level of awesome that McLaughlin has been waiting years to reach.

“I can’t really express how excited and grateful I feel,” Katie McLaughlin said. “I think everyone here has something in their journey that is hard for them to overcome. I don’t feel like I’m different in that way, but I think that the people around me that are cheering for me every single day and believing in me — that is who I am. I am not here because of myself. I am here because of all the people that are around me and care about me, and I’m so grateful for them and excited for this opportunity.”

Spoken like a grateful teammate ready to line up on the world’s biggest stage — on a team she has waited her entire career to join. ◄

[ PHOTO BY PETER H. BICK ]

KATIE McLAUGHLIN / Continued from 41

2021 U.S. OLYMPIC TRIALS PHOTO GALLERY PHOTOS BY PETER H. BICK

>> Caeleb Dressel

>> Tom Shields

>> Abbey Weitzeil

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>> Regan Smith

>> Olivia Smoliga

>> Allison Schmitt & Erika Brown

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>> Ryan Murphy

>> Simone Manuel

>> Ryan Murphy

>> Annie Lazor & Lilly King

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>> Michael Andrew

>> Lydia Jacoby

>> Nathan Adrian

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>> Regan Smith

>> Katie Ledecky

>> (From left) Bella Sims, Erica Sullivan, Katie Grimes & Katie Ledecky

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