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CONTENTS

SWIMMING WORLD BIWEEKLY JULY 2021 | ISSUE 13

008 INSIDE THE JOURNEY OF PAIGE MADDEN: NCAA CHAMPIONSHIPS, COVID-19 & OLYMPIC TRIALS by Dan D’Addona From March through June, Virginia’s Paige Madden experienced a stunning turn of events that saw her become the only woman to claim three individual wins at NCAAs, leading Virginia to its first team title...to testing positive for COVID-19...to fighting back and making the U.S. Olympic team! 012 WHAT THE DATA SAYS ABOUT AMERICAN PERFORMANCES AT THE OLYMPIC GAMES IN TOKYO by David Rieder The landscape could change significantly by the time the Olympics take place later this month, but based on the current world rankings, there’s reason to be concerned that the U.S. team could lag behind its predecessors in the medal count, especially among the men. 013 ANDREW WILSON REFLECTS ON JOURNEY FROM DIVISION III SWIMMER TO OLYMPIAN by Dan D’Addona Andrew Wilson finished second at Trials in both breaststroke events to secure his place on the U.S. Olympic team, becoming a rare NCAA Division III athlete (Emory University) to reach the biggest stage of his sport. Now he is preparing to make an impact for Team USA at the delayed Tokyo Games. 016 INSIDE THE FIVE-DAY WAIT FOR BROOKE FORDE, NOW FINALLY AN OLYMPIAN by Dan D’Addona In past years, it was pretty much a “sure thing” that the sixth-place finishers in the 100 and 200 freestyles would qualify for the Olympic team as relay alternates. But with limits on the roster numbers and because of extra events being added to the program in 2021, Brooke Forde had to wait until the last minute to see if she would be representing the United States in Tokyo. She is! 018 STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES OF THE U.S. MEN’S SWIM TEAM FOR TOKYO OLYMPICS by David Rieder At the 2016 Olympics in Rio, the U.S. men’s swim team captured 14 total individual medals, including five gold, with 10 different men being responsible for those honors. Five years later, the initial medal projections do not look as promising.

026 JESSICA LONG, RUDY GARCIA-TOLSON SELECTED TO FIFTH PARALYMPICS TEAM FOR TEAM USA by Matthew De George Team USA recently announced the Paralympic swimming team for the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, a group of 24 women and 10 men that includes five-time Paralympians Jessica Long and Rudy Garcia-Tolson. 028 CULLEN JONES EMBRACING ROLE TO HELP SWIMMING CONTINUE TO BE MORE INCLUSIVE—AND SHOW NEW PATHS by Dan D’Addona Cullen Jones, world record holder and four-time Olympic medalist (2008, 2012)—including two gold—is staying connected with the sport of swimming and is trying to help push it in the right direction. 029 2021 AQUATIC DIRECTORY 042 SUN YANG BAN REDUCED, BUT THREETIME CHAMPION WILL MISS TOKYO OLYMPICS FOLLOWING CAS RETRIAL by Liz Byrnes China’s Sun Yang will not defend his 200 freestyle title at the Tokyo Olympics after he was banned for four years and three months following a retrial at the Court of Arbitration for Sport. He had previously been handed an eight-year suspension in February 2020 that stemmed from an out-of-competition test in September 2018 during which a vial of Sun’s blood was smashed with a hammer by a member of his team. 044 EMMA McKEON AND KYLE CHALMERS DROP 200 FREESTYLE FROM TOKYO PROGRAMS; SPOTS FILLED by Ian Hanson 045 HOW THEY TRAIN: MEGAN MORONEY AND ASPEN GERSPER by Michael J. Stott

020 AFTER OLYMPIC TRIALS, A BREAKDOWN OF THE U.S. WOMEN’S TEAM BOUND FOR TOKYO by David Rieder Despite a lack of speed and depth in the freestyle relays, the American women’s team heading to Tokyo appears to be a very well-balanced squad that should have medal favorites in most of their individual events. 022 A LOOK AT HOW THE SEVEN RELAYS ARE SHAPING UP FOR THE TOKYO OLYMPICS by David Rieder At the 2016 Olympics in Rio, the Americans won five of the six relays on the program—all except the women’s 400 free relay. This time, there will be seven relay events, and most of them are shaping up to be extremely competitive battles. With the Tokyo Games just weeks away, Swimming World takes a look at the four fastest flat-start times from the top countries to see how each team looks “on paper.”

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INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENTS Americas: Matthew De George (USA) Africa: Chaker Belhadj (TUN) Australia: Wayne Goldsmith, Ian Hanson Europe: Norbert Agh (HUN), Liz Byrnes (GBR), Camillo Cametti (ITA), Oene Rusticus (NED), Rokur Jakupsstovu (FAR) Japan: Hideki Mochizuki Middle East: Baruch “Buky” Chass, Ph.D. (ISR) South Africa: Neville Smith (RSA) South America: Jorge Aguado (ARG)

PHOTOGRAPHERS/SWTV Peter H. Bick, USA Today Sports Images, Reuters, Getty Images

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Inside the Journey of Paige Madden: NCAA Championships, COVID-19 & Olympic Trials BY DAN D'ADDONA

aige Madden soaked in the moment — the medal, the meaning, the thunderous ovation from the Omaha crowd at the U.S. Olympic trials. She also reflected on the stunning turn of events in the past four months that saw her at the highest and lowest points of her career, only to somehow pick up the pieces and return to the highest.

A NEW BATTLE As Paige Madden turned her focus to long-course training and the Olympic Trials, she tested positive for the COVID-19 virus. While many people are asymptomatic, Madden felt the wrath of COVID-19 as the virus attacked the airflow of an already asthmatic athlete.

Madden’s stunning 2021 couldn’t have started much better. She was swimming well and went into the NCAA championships with something to prove.

“When it first happened, I was just devastated. I immediately told myself that I was done. Everything was out the window. There was no way I could make the Olympic team, and I don’t even know if I will go to Trials now. It was dramatic,” Madden said. “It was the respiratory issues, mainly just breathing. I already had asthma before that, and having chest pain. My lungs are my most important organ as a swimmer, and the fact that they were not working as well as they were before was really frustrating. I didn’t feel great in the water. We were doing stroke counts and usually I am able to hit around 29 strokes and I was doing 37. I could go fast times, but I was trying really hard and my heart rate was just through the roof — way too high.”

Madden proved it — emphatically. After not getting to showcase her progress in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Madden took out her frustrations on the 2021 NCAA Championships, winning the 200-, 500and 1,650-yard freestyle events — the only woman to claim three individual victories at the meet — leading Virginia to its first NCAA title. It was the pinnacle of Madden’s career. It only took a couple of weeks for everything to come crashing down. 8

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The doubts quickly and understandably began to creep in. While the virus was attacking Madden’s physical well-being, it also was attacking her mental state, adding a layer of

questions, doubts and pressure. “If anybody could get COVID and still be very successful after that, it was going to be Paige. All of our athletes work very hard, but Paige more than anybody. We weren’t that concerned about her missing a couple of weeks. She has put in so much hard work the last four years that was going to carry her through,” Virginia coach Todd DeSorbo said. “Paige has had injuries in the past. Sometimes, those small bumps in the road can provide a sense of urgency heading into a big meet and Paige probably had the best three weeks of training in her life right before Olympic Trials because of that. “I would have been surprised had Paige not made the U.S. Olympic team because of who she is and the work she has put in. It is every minute of every single practice every single day. She is focused on whatever goal she has. She is going to go to PA school down the line, and I think she will be the best PA in the world.” Madden took that work ethic into her mental game. The first, and biggest step, for Madden was to alter that mindset. “I had to settle down and get my headspace right. I put in all the work, and this was just another bump in the road,” Madden said. “I tore my meniscus right before World University Games in 2019 and that gave me the most confidence that I could overcome this. I came back from that and swam pretty decently. I was mainly worried about the lingering affects.” Her head cleared, Madden started to slowly overcome the physical toll of the virus. “It probably took a few weeks for me to start feeling like I was getting back into shape. It wasn’t until I got the second dose that I started to feel a lot better,” she said. “Right before we left for Indy, I felt much better and having good performances in Indy gave me a lot of confidence going into Trials.” A lot of confidence. ROAD TO RECOVERY … AND TOKYO Paige Madden was focused on the 200 freestyle heading into the Olympic Trials. She was aiming to make the top two and swim the event individually at the Olympics, but also could take solace that as a relay event, the top four automatically made it, with two more alternates possible. But first, she would swim the 400 freestyle. After battling COVID-19, Madden didn’t expect much out of herself in the event. Her lung capacity was still not at 100 percent and she was using the 400 basically to have a race under her belt before the 200. Madden stunned herself and the Omaha crowd by taking

>> Katie Ledecky (left) & Paige Madden

second in the 400 free behind Katie Ledecky, to earn a spot on the team despite lingering chest pain stemming from COVID-19. “I wasn’t really anticipating doing that well in the 400. I wasn’t expecting to make the team. I knew I had an outside shot. I almost even didn’t swim that event because I had the 200 the next day, and I had had COVID, so I felt like my aerobic training wasn’t quite where I wanted it to be. So I took the 400 as an event to dip my toe in the water and get my feel for the atmosphere. I think that helped me a lot and didn’t put any pressure on myself,” Madden said. “Making the team was a really great surprise. That then took more pressure off for the 200.” And it showed. Madden finished third in the 200 free behind Ledecky and Allison Schmitt, earning a spot on the 4×200 free relay. “I race a lot of those girls throughout the course of my career. That was my fifth heat with Katie Ledecky. I have raced Allison Schmitt a lot, and I actually look up to her for a long time. Katie McLaughlin, I spent a lot of time with her last summer,” Madden said. “It is definitely interesting. They are my friends, but I have always competed against them. Now we transition on being on a relay together. Allison Schmitt did a really good job. She brought us together and told us that our relay was going to be really good. That was really special that she helped us through that quick turnaround. We are Team USA and it is all about the relay.” And the Trials were all about Virginia as well. In addition to Madden, Alex Walsh and Kate Douglass made the team in the 200 IM, while incoming freshman Emma Weyant qualified in the 400 IM and post-grad training partner Catie DeLoof made the 4×100 free relay. Watching her teammates was a welcome distraction for Madden, but she also couldn’t invest too much energy in their races since the virus had given her a bit of an energy shortage. Continued on 10 >> BIWEEKLY 9

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[ PHOTO BY PETER H. BICK ]

“I had to manage my own energy and emotions. I was so excited (for my teammates) but I couldn’t spend a lot of physical energy on that. But it made me happy when Emma made it got me excited for my race the next day. Making it on the second day definitely took a lot of pressure off,” Madden said. “Seeing Kate and Alex and Catie DeLoof make it was awesome, and I was almost done swimming at that point, so I could give more of that energy toward them. That was a lot of fun. I was fortunate that I didn’t have a lot of lows at that meet.” It was just the highs — the highs that DeSorbo predicted for Madden during her freshman season at Virginia. THE PREDICTIONS “I don’t say that to everybody. I don’t want to fluff people up too much. We wanted them to know we have confidence in them and what it takes to make an Olympic team,” DeSorbo said. “You could see right away in Paige that she had all of those things and was very talented. It was pretty clear that she was going to do some special things.” It took Madden a while to believe it, but having DeSorbo’s confidence started that train of thought. “That was a special moment for me,” Paige Madden said. “When Todd said it, he said it with such intent that it really struck with me. … he also said it about the 200 freestyle, not the 400, so I might have to give him a hard time about that, but I also didn’t see that potential in myself.” 10

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Others haven’t seen that potential, even heading into this stunning 2021 season. Few predicted she would win all three of her events at NCAAs and make the Olympic team in two events. “I see predictions like that and I love it. Whether people think I can or can’t do it, it fires me up. If they think I can’t do it, I want to prove them wrong, and if they think I can, it is a confidence booster,” Paige Madden said. “I really think it was because I didn’t get to show my cards in 2020. I knew I had a lot left in the tank. I really just wanted to prove that. My training gives me the utmost confidence. I get better every year and that gave me a lot of confidence.” It is confidence that has rubbed off on her teammates during this spectacular year for Virginia. “Paige is literally my hero,” Walsh said. “I knew she was fast but I had no idea how hard she works until my first week. My coaches had me look up to her and take her mentality. She has been someone who I have really strived to be like. She has been such a great inspiration for me.” It was inspiring when Madden won three NCAA titles. It was inspiring how she fought back from COVID-19 to make the Olympic team. Now that inspiration will look for more ways to emerge in Tokyo. And if anyone still doubts Paige Madden … it might just motivate her to the medal podium. ◄

[ PHOTO BY PETER H. BICK ]

Back up to look at swimmers ranked in the world top-five. Six male swimmers are in that area in one event each (Andrew, Hunter Armstrong, Nic Fink, Zach Apple, Bryce Mefford and Bobby Finke). The women, meanwhile, have seven (White, Smith, Claire Curzan, Erica Sullivan, Kate Douglass, Phoebe Bacon and Katie Grimes). Of 28 individual swims for the Americans in Tokyo, a whopping 21 of them—threefourths—will enter in the top five among Olympic qualifiers this year. Another is sixth (King in the 200 breast), and yet another is seventh (Paige Madden in the 400 free). The only holes are in sprint freestyle, where Americans Abbey Weitzeil and Simone Manuel are eighth and 10th, respectively, in the 50 free, while Weitzeil and Erika Brown are 13th and 15th in the 100 free. That’s some incredible depth, on par with the standard the Americans have set in recent years but no less impressive.

What the Data Says About American Performances at the Olympic Games in Tokyo BY DAVID RIEDER

t the conclusion of the U.S. Olympic Trials, it was immediately clear that while the American women were heading to the Olympics with an abundance of medal contenders, their male counterparts were not in nearly as strong a position. Consider the current world rankings: The Americans hold a spot in the world top-three in just eight out of 14 individual men’s events, while for the women, that number is 12. In contrast, at the last Olympics in Rio, the U.S. men won medals in 12 out of 13 individual events and the women in 11 of 13. The world rankings are not a tell-all of what will happen at the Olympics. A lot will change when the stakes are highest, for sure. But they do give a general picture of how swimmers are performing so far, which can be very helpful in prognosticating. Current world No. 1 rankings do not mean a swimmer is a lock for a gold medal, but currently, the American women have five swimmers in the No. 1 spot and the men three. Those women are Katie Ledecky in the 800 and 1500 free, Lilly King in the 100 breast and teenagers Torri Huske in the 100 fly and Emma Weyant in the 400 IM. For the men, it’s Caeleb Dressel in the 50 free and 100 fly and Michael Andrew in the 200 IM. Now, for the top-threes. The U.S. women’s team currently has 14 swimmers ranked in the top three among qualifiers for the Olympic Games. In theory, that projects to 14 medals, a slight improvement from the very impressive 13 they won in 2016 (with one less event). In addition to the aforementioned names, you’ll find Hali Flickinger, Regan Smith, Lydia Jacoby, Alex Walsh, Annie Lazor and Rhyan White occupying those spots. That’s 10 swimmers. For the men, it’s just four swimmers—Dressel, Andrew, Chase Kalisz and Ryan Murphy—for eight top-three spots, a far cry from the 10 swimmers winning 14 medals in 13 events in Rio. They were shut out in only the men’s 400 free, where Conor Dwyer and Connor Jaeger finished fourth and fifth, respectively.

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For the men, it’s just 14, or half of their individual swims, ranked in the top five. Of some reassurance, the Americans do have swimmers ranked in the top 10 in every event, but that means a swimmer ranked eighth or ninth in some events—Kieran Smith in the 400 free, Finke in the 800 free, Zach Harting in the 200 fly. The last time the American men were shut out of an Olympic final completely was at the 2004 Olympics in Athens, when Jason Lezak and Ian Crocker both missed the semifinals in the 100 free. So that’s three straight Olympics with a perfect record. Meanwhile, the last time the American men won less than 10 individual medals at an Olympics? That would be the 1996 Games in Atlanta, where there were just nine, three of them gold. At the past five Olympics from 2000 to 2016, the medal total has been 14, 15, 14, 13 and 14. Admittedly, Michael Phelps swam at all of those Games, and he’s hard to replace. But Dressel is favored for three individual medals, the same total Phelps won in both 2012 and 2016. The surrounding cast to Dressel’s starring role is not quite as strong. This landscape will change significantly by the time the Olympics roll around in three weeks, but there’s reason to be concerned that this team will lag behind its predecessors in the medal count. The women have a challenge on their hands in races for gold after some recent breakout performances at Australia’s Olympic Trials (think Ariarne Titmus, Kaylee McKeown and Emma McKeon), but the Americans should still collect a nice bounty of various-colored medals. But on the men’s side, the collection of standouts cannot cover up some significant holes. ◄ Bob Hopkins contributed statistical data to this analysis.

[ PHOTO BY PETER H. BICK ]

Andrew Wilson Reflects on Journey From Division III Swimmer to Olympian BY DAN D'ADDONA

he Olympic trials were a triumphant blur for Andrew Wilson — and an historical blur.

Wilson finished second in both breaststroke events to secure his place on the U.S. Olympic team for Tokyo, becoming a rare NCAA Division III athlete to reach the Olympics. Now, Wilson is preparing to make an impact for Team USA at the delayed Tokyo Games. “It is definitely still a little weird. We are back in Athens training, so in some ways it seems like it could have never happened, but it is starting to sink in,” Andrew Wilson told Swimming World last week. “I am trying to get refocused because I know I can go faster and represent the U.S. well.” Qualifying gives Wilson a sense of validation as a swimmer but also validation for his journey from Division III Emory University to the Olympic team. “It has been a goal of mine for a while. Every kid that grows up swimming watches the Olympics and thinks how awesome it would be do to that. There have been a lot of ups and downs along the way and it just feels vindicating, as far as decisions

I made to get to this point,” Wilson said. “Everything just feels worth it which is a really great feeling. I am very proud of where I came from and how I got here. I hope all of the DIII athletes can share in this accomplishment. I am sure I won’t be the last. It is an honor to pave the way, but I don’t really feel like I am any different.” Wilson first qualified by taking second in the 100 breaststroke, finishing behind Michael Andrew — by a hundredth of a second. Andrew won in 58.73 to edge Wilson (58.74). “Going in, Michael had been really fast and Nic (Fink) had been really fast. Finals at that meet always tend to be a little slower with the added pressure and stress. No one sleeps well between semis and finals.It just becomes about putting together a good race. It was just about getting my hand on the wall,” Wilson said. “I was surprisingly calm before the race. I knew Michael was going to be out fast and the back half is where I was going to have to make my move. I had to make sure I didn’t over-swim the first 50, which is easy to do with so much adrenaline. I saw that I was catching up to Michael, and that always gives you more energy, so I just gave everything I had.” Continued on 14 >> BIWEEKLY 13

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(2:08.32). “A lot of the stress of that meet was lifted off of me after the 100. I didn’t want to check out because I wanted to make it in the 200, too. I knew it would be a close race. Unfortunately, Nic and Will, were on the other side of the pool. We couldn’t really see each other. My 200 for the first two swims I was really just trying to conserve as much energy as I could. I am always out pretty fast and I wanted to make sure I didn’t over-swim the first 100. I had to build the third 50 and then see what I had left. There are plenty of places I can improve in that race, but it was enough,” he said.

[ PHOTO BY PETER H. BICK ]

Wilson gets to go to Tokyo with Fink, his training partner.

>> Andrew Wilson & Michael Andrew

With his place on the team solidified, it took pressure off Wilson for the 200. He finished second to Nic Fink, touching out Will Licon with a late push. Fink had finished third in the 100 and won the 200 in 2:07.55 to finish ahead of Wilson

“I was super happy for him. That meet is just brutal. The longer you are around the sport, the more people you know. There are six people you know in a final and want to make the team and only two go,” Andrew Wilson said. “In the 100, it came down to me having to out-touch him for that second spot. He works harder than anyone I ever met. I was really happy that he put it together. The fact that we get to train together for another month and be back on the same team — Trials kind of pits everyone against each other — and now we can see what we can do as a pair against the rest of the world.” ◄

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[ PHOTO BY PETER H. BICK ]

Inside the Five-Day Wait for Brooke Forde, Now Finally an Olympian BY DAN D'ADDONA

rooke Forde touched the wall sixth in the 200 freestyle at last week’s United States Olympic Trials, but was immediately unsure how to react. Five days later, she finally could react to becoming an Olympian. FIVE DAYS. The fifth- and sixth-place finishers in the 100 and 200 freestyles have typically been added to the Team USA roster as relay alternates, likely to swim in the prelims at the Olympics. But with new events added to the lineup, there were more swimmers who could expand the roster to 26 women, pushing the relay alternates out. Forde touched the wall and knew there was a possibility, but she had to wait to see how many swimmers would double up on events, which wouldn’t add new people to the roster. Her race was Wednesday and she waited … and waited … and waited. As the last person waiting to see if she would make the team, Forde had to wait an entire five days for the last women’s event to have a double up, ensuring she was on the roster. “We were a stressed bunch,” Forde told Swimming World.

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“I had never even paid attention to the selection process that much. It was confusing.The day before my final, someone had told me in the warmup pool that they wouldn’t take the sixth person in relays because of the new events. So between sessions, I was researching on my own about what the process was. So I felt like I needed to be top five to make the team.” Then Forde finished sixth. “So when I touched in sixth, my immediate reaction was disappointment. Katie (Ledecky) came over and hugged me in the pool. Everyone was hugging me telling me I was an Olympian, but I didn’t feel that way. I felt like a third place (in an individual event). I was very guarded and didn’t want to get my hopes up,” Forde said. But there certainly was a chance — it just wasn’t a sure thing as in past years. “My dad, being my dad, did the math and showed me there was a chance. Then I slowly started to wrap my head around the chance of making it,” she said. “That was the excruciating part. Each day I had moments that I thought I was going and times where I thought I wasn’t. We all thought going into Saturday night that it would be confirmed then, and I was really excited.”

But it wasn’t.

Forde had the best 200 freestyle of her career.

World record holder Regan Smith looked to be a sure repeat team member in the 200 backstroke, but she was upset in the race.

After a disappointing finish in the 400 IM, Forde bounced back to put together her biggest race at the biggest time. She touched the wall in 1:57.61 and will be joined on the relay by Ledecky, Allison Schmitt, Paige Madden, Katie McLaughlin and Bella Sims, who got the other alternate spot.

“I was barely sleeping at all and ready for it to be over,” Forde said. “There was the big upset in the 200 back and only a couple doubles that night. That was the first time I really freaked out. I was pretty calm and composed until that night. I was finally feeling the stress of the whole meet. “I thought there was a realistic chance someone would double in the 50 free, but anything can happen in that race. I had to sit around all day. It ended up the perfect scenario with Simone (Manuel) making it and Abbey (Weitzeil) getting the double.” Forde couldn’t even watch the race she was so stressed out. “I actually didn’t watch the 50 free. I literally looked away until they touched. I was sitting with our whole team and we were so happy for Simone, and everyone realized that Abbey doubling, got me in too. So it was a huge double celebration.” Then five days later, she got to be celebrated as an Olympian on the deck in Omaha. “Maybe not even until after the medal did I really realize it,” she said. “It was nice going on the elevator with the other relay qualifiers. We finally felt like we made it. It is definitely still sinking in.” U.S. coach Greg Meehan, who also is Forde’s coach at Stanford, made sure Forde was ready, but it was stressful as the wait took a toll on her. “We just had fewer doubles than we have had historically. So knowing that we may butt up against that 26 number, (we were) patiently watching things unfold and hoping for the best, obviously to pick up everybody. Having someone like Brooke on the team I think makes Team USA better. So we’re grateful for that and excited for her,” Meehan said. “I had her keep training. If she gets picked up, I don’t want her having five days off. She came in, she was super diligent. We had conversations. I would fill her in, I wouldn’t get too much into the weeds, but OK these are things that need to happen, and each day she knew she was getting closer, but there was still a lot of uncertainty. The training piece was the most important so we are not going home having not done anything for the past five days.” THE RACE Lost in the mix of the extreme waiting game was the fact that

“I was super happy with it. It was a best time, which is hard to come by, especially at Olympic Trials. I thought I swam it really well. I took it out fast, which is rare for me,” Forde said. “There was no question in my mind that I went for it, and I don’t think I could have put together a better race. I got better from prelims to semis and semis to finals, and I am proud of that.” Part of the success stemmed from the fact that Forde is less stressed swimming the 200 free. The expectations are different, after Forde won the NCAA title in the 400 IM, and her toughest race was over. “I was excited because the 200 free is more fun than the 400 IM. I felt good and was more relaxed and confident for it. It was a combination. I have been really struggling with the 400 IM all year, both mentally and physically. I think the pressure leading up to trials affected it and the race really got into my head. I was at a point where I wasn’t excited to race it at all,” she said. “All spring, my freestyle training has been better and I have had more fun doing it. “I actually went into it thinking I would have a better race in the 200 free than the 400 IM, not necessarily. that I would have had a better shot. I was more relaxed because the 400 IM was done. I was able to tell myself that my hardest race was over. Plus there were definitely less expectations and I felt like I had nothing to lose.” Now, she heads to Tokyo with nothing to lose, though she would like to have the best relay swim of her career on the Olympic stage. “I think that I still have room to get faster in that event. I barely swam it all year because it was always the same day as the 400 IM in the Pro Series meets,” Brooke Forde said. “So I think there is a lot of opportunity in the race itself to tweak some of the race details and get better in that way, which is great because there isn’t that much time between now and the Olympics. “I am looking forward to training with the other 200 freestylers on the team and being on the relay. Relays are the most fun thing to do.” ◄ BIWEEKLY

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[ PHOTO BY PETER H. BICK ]

>> Michael Andrew & Chase Kalisz

Strengths and Weaknesses of the U.S. Men’s Swim Team for Tokyo Olympics BY DAVID RIEDER

t the 2016 Olympics in Rio, the U.S. men’s swim team captured five individual gold medals and 14 total individual medals. Ten different men were responsible for those honors: Ryan Murphy, Michael Phelps, Anthony Ervin, Chase Kalisz, Cody Miller, Conor Dwyer, David Plummer, Josh Prenot, Nathan Adrian and Connor Jaeger.

Kieran Smith is the top U.S. hope in the 200 and 400 free, but while he swam his best times by a significant amount at Trials, he will still need to drop more to make a podium push. He ranks sixth in the world among Olympic qualifiers in the 200 free at 1:45.29 and eighth in the 400 free at 3:44.86.

Five years later, after a Trials that likely marked the end of the road for a huge group of veterans, only two of those men are on the team for the Tokyo Olympics. But now that the team has taken shape at the Olympic Trials, there are just four American men who are favored to capture individual honors: returnees Murphy, Kalisz and Caeleb Dressel, who has blossomed into the world’s best sprinter, and first-time Olympian Michael Andrew. Aside from that, the American men could be in some trouble.

It’s the same story with a third Florida Gator, Bobby Finke, in the 800 and 1500 free, strong enough to likely make a final but not yet to contend for a medal. Finke ranks ninth among Olympic qualifiers in the 800 free at 7:48.22 and fourth in the 1500 at 14:46.06.

Freestyle Caeleb Dressel is the favorite for gold in the 50 and 100 freestyle, and he is a threat to each of Cesar Cielo’s world records in those events. He swam a 21.04 in the 50 free at the Olympic Trials to tie his American record, and while he ranks second in the world in the 100 free at 47.39, he has been as quick as 46.96, just 0.05 off the world record. Meanwhile, both Michael Andrew in the 50 free and Zach Apple in the 100 free have outside shots at podium finishes. 18

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Backstroke Backstroke is the strongest of the strokes for the U.S. men, and it’s largely because of Ryan Murphy, who won Rio gold in both backstrokes. Murphy is currently third in the world rankings in the 100 back, close behind Russian rivals Evgeny Rylov and Kliment Kolesnikov, and second behind Rylov in the 200 back. Murphy likely has more in the tank from U.S. trials, and it would be surprising if he does not medal in both events at the Tokyo Olympics. He certainly has a shot at repeat gold, particularly in the 100 back. Accompanying Murphy are two Olympic rookies, Hunter Armstrong in the 100 and Bryce Mefford in the 200, and while both swam

well at Trials, jumping into the medal picture would be a slight surprise.

Different story in the 200 breast, where the likes of Shoma Sato, Zac >> Ryan Murphy Stubblety-Cook and world recordholder Anton Chupkov have all been 2:06 this year. Nic Fink swam an impressive 2:07.55 at Olympic Trials, but this event has progressed so much since 2016, when Dmitriy Balandin won gold in 2:07.46. Now, anyone hoping to win a medal at the Tokyo Olympics will have to be around a 2:06, and there’s no one in the U.S. right now knocking on the door. Butterfly Here, we have a tale of two very different events. Caeleb Dressel is the world record-holder at 49.50, and his nearest rival (Kristof Milak) has never been under 50. Dressel’s semifinal time from Olympic Trials was faster than any other human has ever swum, and he’s targeting quicker marks at the Tokyo Olympics. On the contrary, neither of the two U.S. Olympians in the 200 fly (Zach Harting and Gunnar Bentz) have ever broken 1:55, and Harting ranks just eighth in the world among Olympic qualifiers. It’s going to take a 1:54low or 1:53-high to medal here in Tokyo, so the Americans need faster times to have a shot. Individual Medley One of the most stunning efforts of Olympic Trials was Michael Andrew throwing himself in contention for Olympic gold in the 200 IM, where he swam a time of 1:55.26 in the semifinals (and 1:55.44 in the final). In both races, Andrew turned for the last 50 more than a second under world record pace before fading badly down the stretch, so he will hold his freestyle together if he has a chance of hanging on for gold. Chase Kalisz, meanwhile, only ranks seventh in the 200 IM among Olympic qualifiers this year, but he is certainly a medal contender in this one, and while Kalisz would be hardpressed to beat world champion Daiya Seto in the 400 IM, he has a very real shot at silver after posting a 4:09.09 at Trials.

[ PHOTO BY PETER H. BICK ]

Breaststroke The American men got a boost in the 100 breast when Michael Andrew twice broke the American record and got down to 58.14, making him the third-fastest performer in history behind Adam Peaty and Arno Kamminga. Replicating or surpassing that effort in the Olympic final could get Andrew onto the podium, and Andrew Wilson looks like a swimmer who can make it to the final.

Jay Litherland, the world championships silver medalist, would also be in the medal mix in that one. Relays Right now, the American men project as co-favorites with Russia in the men’s 400 free relay—even though the composite numbers show Russia a bit ahead right now, potential improvement favors the U.S.—and also as favorites in the 400 medley relay, thanks largely to the improved breaststroke leg Andrew could provide. The 800 free relay, however, could be in trouble. Even though the Americans have assembled a solid crew of Kieran Smith, Townley Haas, Drew Kibler and Andrew Seliskar, there are three other countries (Great Britain, Russia and Australia) with very strong quartets that could end up denying the U.S. men a medal in an Olympic relay for the first time ever. Overall The men’s team the Americans take to the Tokyo Olympics is likely one of the weakest in several Olympic cycles. That’s even with Caeleb Dressel, who successfully took over the mantle from Michael Phelps as best swimmer in the world. Dressel could become only the third male swimmer to win at least three individual gold medals at one Olympics, joining Mark Spitz (who won four in 1972) and Phelps (who won four in 2004 and five in 2008). Aside from that, the initial projections do not look too promising. Maybe this team wins around eight medals and three golds at the Games, plus whatever happens in the relays. That seems about right at this stage. Even if the U.S. men outperform this, they still have a large margin to make up compared to their predecessors from 2016 in Rio. ◄ BIWEEKLY

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>> Lilly King & Annie Lazor

After Olympic Trials, A Breakdown of the U.S. Women’s Team Bound For Tokyo BY DAVID RIEDER

wo days before the U.S. Olympic Trials began, breaststroker Lilly King declared in a press conference that the American women could win every single gold medal in swimming in Tokyo. Right away, that sounded like wishful, overly-optimistic thinking, but it already looked like that the American women could have medal contenders in each race for the Olympics. Over the course of the eight days in Omaha, the meet ended up being extremely competitive as swimmers sought to earn spots in Tokyo, but plenty of the events were not as lightningquick as expected, leaving some doubt as to the American potential for the Olympics. Some swims from the concurrent Australian Trials (including one world record and multiple other near-world records) exacerbated the thought that the Americans might be in trouble. However, now that the dust has settled and the pre-Tokyo world rankings are taking shape, it looks like the Americans do have medal favorites in most—although not all—events. Freestyle Katie Ledecky was by no means perfect this week in Omaha, and but it would be a stunner if she did not win medals in all four of her individual events in Tokyo. In the current world ranking list of Tokyo qualifiers, Ledecky is first in the 800 and 1500 free and second behind Australian rival Ariarne Titmus in the 200 and 400 free after Titmus swam the second-fastest time ever in both events. No one is beating Ledecky in the 800 or 1500 in Tokyo (and Erica Sullivan could be a medal threat in the 1500), and no one besides Titmus could beat her in the 400. The 200 is a little more tricky, with China’s

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Yang Junxuan, Australia’s Emma McKeon and Hong Kong’s Siobhan Haughey having all swum 1:54s this year and Italy’s Federica Pellegrini always lurking, but expect a podium finish for Ledecky here. The sprint freestyles, however, could be trouble for the Americans. After defending gold medalist and world champion Simone Manuel did not make the team in the 100 free, the top American in the world rankings is Abbey Weitzeil at 53.52, good for 10th among Olympic qualifiers. She and fellow qualifier Erika Brown will need big improvements in order to make the final, let alone the podium. Same story in the 50 free, where reigning world champion Manuel did qualify alongside Weitzeil, but 24.2s won’t get the job done when three swimmers have already been sub-24 this year. Backstroke The Americans have medal contenders in backstroke, even with world record-holder Regan Smith missing the team in the 200 back. Smith has been as fast as 57.92 in the 100 back this year, so she is squarely in the medal mix, although challenging Australia’s Kaylee McKeown (the new world record-holder) for gold will be a challenge. Rhyan White is an outside medal chance in the 100 back but definitely in the mix in the 200 back, where her 2:05.73 winning time from Olympic Trials ranks her third in the world, and fellow qualifier Phoebe Bacon ranks fifth in the world at 2:06.46. At least two medals in women’s backstroke is a reasonable expectation Breaststroke Lilly King will be the huge favorite to defend her Olympic

gold medal in the 100 breast. She swam a 1:04.72 at Olympic Trials, the fastest time recorded by anyone since King set the world record of 1:04.13 in 2017. Russia’s Yulia Efimova is the only active swimmer who has ever been that fast (and again, that was four years ago). Meanwhile, 17-year-old Lydia Jacoby ranks second in the world at 1:05.28 after her breakthrough meet at Trials, so Jacoby is also a medal threat here. In the 200 breast, Annie Lazor’s Trials winning time of 2:21.07 ranks third in the world behind Tatjana Schoenmaker (2:20.17) and Molly Renshaw (2:20.89), and King ranks sixth in the world at 2:21.75. Both are medal contenders for Tokyo, and Lazor especially has a shot at gold. Not bad compared to 2016, when no American made the Rio final of the 200 breast. Butterfly It has been a full week since it happened, but Torri Huske was the star of the first two days of Trials when she twice broke a nine-year-old American record in the women’s 100 fly. Huske got down to 55.66 in finals, and that’s the third-fastest time in history and first in the world this year. Huske leads the early world rankings ahead of an impressive group of China’s Zhang Yufei, Australia’s Emma McKeon and Canadian world champion Maggie MacNeil. In Tokyo, Huske could be in a tight battle for Olympic gold, and fellow teenager Claire Curzan cannot be counted out of the medal chase if she can improve upon her 56.20 from earlier this year. The women’s 200 fly is likewise in really good shape with Hali Flickinger ranking second in the world at 2:05.85 and Regan Smith fourth at 2:06.99. Flickinger is one of the favorites for gold in Tokyo, and Smith is a definite medal contender. Just like backstroke and breaststroke, a thumbs-up for the U.S. women’s butterfliers.

the American women in the relays in Tokyo. Australia has emerged as the big favorites in both free relays, and while the Americans look like a No. 2 in both the 400 and 800-meter relays at the moment, it’s not implausible that enough teams emerge to knock the U.S. off the 400 free relay podium. However, anything lower than silver in the 800 free relay is unlikely. It’s worth noting that after Simone Manuel got onto the U.S. team with her Trials win in the 50 free, she could be used in relay duty for any event in Tokyo at the coaches’ discretion. In the 400 medley relay, the Americans look like slight favorites right now on the strength of Regan Smith, Lilly King and Torri Huske, but freestyle remains an issue that countries like Australia could exploit in Tokyo. Overall This American women’s team heading to Tokyo has some holes, and lack of speed and depth in freestyle really shows up because of the relay impact, but this is a very well-balanced squad that should do very well in the medal count in Tokyo. The women alone could capture somewhere around 15 medals (including relays), but other countries, particularly Australia, match up so well at the top that only four events—the 800 and 1500 free, 100 breast and 400 medley relay—look like solid gold medal favorites right now. It’s highly likely that some of the other contenders for gold will emerge on top, but that’s how it looks right now, with a little more than a month to go before the Olympics get underway. ◄

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Individual Medley The IM events have been on the weaker side for the American women, and while the Trials results were very promising, there may be a lot still to unfold in Tokyo. In the 200 IM, Alex Walsh ranks second among Tokyo qualifiers behind Kaylee McKeown with her 2:08.87, and Kate Douglass is fifth at 2:09.32. But how fast will Olympic and world champion Katinka Hosszu be in Tokyo? How about Japan’s own Yui Ohashi? It took a 2:08.70 to make the podium at the 2019 World Championships, so you’d assume the times will pick up in Tokyo. It’s a similar story in the 400 IM, where teenager Emma Weyant and veteran Hali Flickinger actually rank first and second in the world with their times from Olympic Trials, it took a 4:32.33 to make the podium in 2019 in Gwangju. We’ll see if the Americans can keep pace as this event progresses in Tokyo.

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Relays Weakness in the freestyle events could present challenges for BIWEEKLY

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A Look at How the Seven Relays Are Shaping Up for the Tokyo Olympics BY DAVID RIEDER

ith just weeks remaining until the Tokyo Olympics swimming competition begins on July 24, it’s time to look at how the relay events stand for these Games. After the past six Olympics featured six total relays (women’s and men’s 400 free, 800 free and 400 medley relays), the 2021 edition will add the mixed 400 medley relay, consisting of two female and male swimmers, in whatever order a particular country decides to swim. At the 2016 Olympics in Rio, the Americans won five of the six relays on the program, all except the women’s 400 free relay, where Australia took gold. This time, almost all the relays are shaping up to be extremely competitive battles, with only Australia looking significantly superior to its competition in the women’s freestyle relays. Below, you will see composites of the top four flat-start times from each country for each relay event to see how the countries are stacking up in each event a few weeks out from Tokyo. Plenty will change at the Olympics as some swimmers are quicker and others slower, but this is how everything looks on paper right now. Only times swum during the calendar year 2021 will be considered for this exercise. Women’s 400 Free Relay At Australia’s Olympic Trials last month, four swimmers went under 53 seconds in the 100 free. All the other 22

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significant medal contenders have combined for one sub53-second performance. Australians Emma McKeon, Cate Campbell and Madison Wilson hold the top three times in the world right now in this event, and while Meg Harris finished fourth at Australia’s Trials, former world champion Bronte Campbell could also factor in here. Meanwhile, the United States earned silver behind Australia at the last Olympics and last World Championships, but the 100 free at its Olympic Trials lacked top-end speed (although there was no shortage of depth). We’ll see if there can be any significant improvements or if a swimmer like Simone Manuel or Torri Huske or even Katie Ledecky might be added to provide a boost. If not, the Americans could face a major challenge for even silver. Australia: Emma McKeon 52.19 + Cate Campbell 52.59 + Madison Wilson 52.76 + Meg Harris 52.92 = 3:30.46 United States: Abbey Weitzeil 53.52 + Olivia Smoliga 53.55 + Natalie Hinds 53.55 + Erika Brown 53.59 = 3:34.39 Great Britain: Freya Anderson 53.40 + Anna Hopkin 53.43 + Lucy Hope 53.89 + Abbey Wood 53.90 = 3:34.62 Netherlands: Femke Heemskerk 53.05 + Ranomi Kromowidjojo 53.13 + Marrit Steenbergen 54.13 + Kim Busch 54.59 = 3:34.90 Canada: Penny Oleksiak 52.89 + Kayla Sanchez 53.57 + Maggie MacNeil 54.02 + Rebecca Smith 54.44 = 3:34.92

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>> Australia will be a significant factor in most relays at the Olympics

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>> Caeleb Dressel, Zach Apple, Blake Pieroni and Brooks Curry

Men’s 400 Free Relay The men’s 400 free relay is always dramatic at the Olympics, and expect 2021 to be no different. The Americans reclaimed the gold medal in 2016 after France won in stunning fashion in 2012, and the U.S. is undefeated since then with Caeleb Dressel leading the way. However, Russia has a really strong foursome, with three swimmers already swimming under 48 earlier this year (led by world No. 1 Kliment Kolesnikov). Russia finished less than a second behind the Americans at the 2019 World Championships, and with Russia’s composite 2021 time ranking about a half-second ahead of the Americans, this could shape up as another classic. Australia, Great Britain, Italy and Brazil all have groups that could challenge for the bronze medal, while France has completely fallen off the map in this event and is a long shot to even make the final.

gold in the 800 free relay after finishing a very surprising fifth at the 2019 World Championships. But this will be extremely competitive with Russia and Australia both bringing balanced and deep squads. Russia is led by European 200 free champion Martin Malyutin, while Australia’s group includes defending 100 free Olympic champion Kyle Chalmers and 400 free Olympic favorite Elijah Winnington.

Russia: Kliment Kolesnikov 47.31 + Andrei Minakov 47.74 + Vladislav Grinev 47.85 + Vladimir Morozov 48.00 = 3:10.90

Russia: Martin Malyutin 1:44.79 + Ivan Girev 1:45.49 + Aleksandr Dovgalyuk 1:45.56 + Aleksandr Shchegolev 1:45.82 = 7:01.66

United States: Caeleb Dressel 47.39 + Zach Apple 47.72 + Blake Pieroni 48.14 + Brooks Curry 48.19 = 3:11.44 Australia: Kyle Chalmers 47.59 + Matthew Temple 48.32 + Cameron McEvoy 48.49 + Zac Incerti 48.51 = 3:12.91 Great Britain: Duncan Scott 47.87 + Matthew Richards 48.23 + Tom Dean 48.30 + Jacob Whittle 48.55 = 3:12.95 Italy: Alessandro Miressi 47.45 + Thomas Ceccon 48.50 + Lorenzo Zazzeri 48.59 + Manuel Frigo 48.83 = 3:13.37 Brazil: Andre Souza 48.15 + Pedro Spajari 48.31 + Gabriel Silva 48.49 + Bruno Correia 48.74 = 3:13.69 Men’s 800 Free Relay Two British men, Duncan Scott and Tom Dean, currently hold the top two spots in the world rankings in the men’s 200 free, and with 2015 world champion James Guy also on the team, Great Britain will head to the Olympics favored for

Meanwhile, the United States is at risk of missing the medal podium in an Olympic relay for the first time ever. Three men swam under 1:46 at U.S. Olympic Trials (Kieran Smith, Townley Haas and Drew Kibler), but they will need some more improvements to break into this top three, let alone win a fifth straight Olympic gold in this race. Great Britain: Duncan Scott 1:44.47 + Tom Dean 1:44.58 + Matt Richards 1:45.77 + James Guy 1:45.95 = 7:00.77

Australia: Alexander Graham 1:45.22 + Kyle Chalmers 1:45.48 + Elijah Winnington 1:45.55 + Thomas Neill 1:45.70 = 7:01.95 United States: Kieran Smith 1:45.29 + Townley Haas 1:45.66 + Drew Kibler 1:45.92 + Andrew Seliskar 1:46.34 = 7:03.21 Women’s 800 Free Relay At the 2019 World Championships, Australia edged the United States in the 800 free relay by just 0.37, and both teams swam under a decade-old world record. But heading into Tokyo, Australia could be dominant in this race. Ariarne Titmus finished just a tenth off the 200 free world record at the country’s Olympic Trials, and combined with Emma McKeon, Madison Wilson and Leah Neale, the four times add up to almost two seconds faster than that world record. Meanwhile, the United States has won gold in five of the Continued on 24 >> BIWEEKLY 23

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six Olympics when this relay has been contested, but in Tokyo, they will be favored for silver. Despite a relatively unimpressive collection of 200 free times at Olympic Trials, the Americans are comfortably ahead of the rest of the field, and Katie Ledecky’s excellence will be critical here. Behind the Americans, Taylor Ruck is not currently among Canada’s top four swimmers, but she has been a 1:54 in the past, so her returning to close to that form would be an enormous boost. And China usually puts together a really strong foursome in this relay, and distance star Wang Jianjiahe could contribute after splitting 1:56.52 in 2019. Australia: Ariarne Titmus 1:53.09 + Emma McKeon 1:54.74 + Madison Wilson 1:55.68 + Leah Neale 1:56.08 = 7:39.59 United States: Katie Ledecky 1:54.40 + Paige Madden 1:56.44 + Allison Schmitt 1:56.79 + Katie McLaughlin 1:57.16 = 7:44.79 China: Yang Junxuan 1:54.57 + Li Bingjie 1:56.64 + Tang Muhan 1:57.83 + Dong Jie 1:58.53 = 7:47.57 Canada: Summer McIntosh 1:56.19 + Penny Oleksiak 1:57.07 + Rebecca Smith 1:57.43 + Katerine Savard 1:57.79 = 7:48.48 Germany: Isabel Gose 1:56.93 + Annika Bruhn 1:57.17 + Leonie Kullman 1:57.64 + Marie Pietruschka 1:58.46 = 7:50.20 Mixed 400 Medley Relay The mixed medley relay, making its debut at an Olympics, will be a test in strategy and balance between male and female swimmers. Some countries can excel in this event without having a standout women’s or men’s medley relay, just because the pieces fit together. Some of these lineups will likely change significantly, particularly for the United States. Three different American lineups (with different combinations of male and female swimmers) created composites in the 3:39-range, but the team of Regan Smith (back), Michael Andrew (breast), Torri Huske (fly) and Caeleb Dressel (free) came out to the fastest time right now, SWIM MART

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but that could change based on Olympic performances. Ryan Murphy or Lilly King, in particular, could end up factoring in here. The Americans sit seven tenths ahead of Great Britain and Australia in the composites, with Britain relying on huge legs from backstroker Kathleen Dawson and breaststroker Adam Peaty, while Australia’s women (Kaylee McKeown on back and Emma McKeon on fly or free) will provide a huge advantage on those legs. Interestingly, because of McKeon’s brilliance, it’s unlikely Australia would use both butterflyer Matthew Temple and freestyler Kyle Chalmers. And while China looks a little behind in the current composite times, that foursome of Xu Jiayu, Yan Zibei, Zhang Yufei and Yang Junxuan set the world record in this event in October 2020 with a 3:38.41. Finally, check out the Netherlands, which does not excel in either single-gender medley relay. Here, the Dutch can use excellent female backstroker Kira Toussaint, emerging male breaststroker Arno Kamminga and veteran Femke Heemskerk on the end and make a real run at a medal while covering up weaknesses that would really hurt in a single-gender event. United States: Regan Smith 57.92 + Michael Andrew 58.14 + Torri Huske 55.66 + Caeleb Dressel 47.39 = 3:39.11 Great Britain: Kathleen Dawson 58.08 + Adam Peaty 57.39 + James Guy 50.96 + Freya Anderson 53.40 = 3:39.83 Australia: Kaylee McKeown 57.45 + Zac Stubblety-Cook 59.69 + Matthew Temple 50.45 + Emma McKeon 52.29 = 3:39.88 China: Xu Jiayu 52.88 + Yan Zibei 59.21 + Zhang Yufei 55.73 + Yang Junxuan 53.21 = 3:41.03 Netherlands: Kira Toussaint 58.65 + Arno Kamminga 57.90 + Nyls Korstanje 51.65 + Femke Heemskerk 53.03 = 3:41.23 Canada: Kylie Masse 57.70 + Gabe Mastromatteo 1:00.11 + Joshua Liendo 51.40 + Penny Oleksiak 52.89 = 3:42.10 Russia: Evgeny Rylov 52.12 + Evgeniia Chikunova 1:06.06 + Arina Surkova 57.54 + Kliment Kolesnikov 47.31 = 3:43.03 Women’s 400 Medley Relay For the women’s medley relay, expect a battle between the United States and Australia. The two countries should be reasonably close on backstroke (with Regan Smith and Kaylee McKeown) and on butterfly (Torri Huske and Emma McKeon), but the Americans have a huge advantage with Lilly King’s breaststroke split while Australia gets the same with Cate Campbell on the freestyle. The composite shows just a 14-hundredth difference right now, but the Americans

Australia: Kaylee McKeown 57.45 + Chelsea Hodges 1:05.99 + Emma McKeon 55.93 + Cate Campbell 52.59 = 3:51.96 Canada: Kylie Masse 57.70 + Kelsey Wog 1:06.77 + Maggie MacNeil 56.19 + Penny Oleksiak 52.89 = 3:53.55 China: Chen Jie 59.75 + Yu Jingyao 1:06.77 + Zhang Yufei 55.73 + Yang Junxuan 53.21 = 3:55.46

Great Britain: Luke Greenbank 53.34 + Adam Peaty 57.39 + James Guy 50.96 + Duncan Scott 47.87 = 3:29.56 Russia: Evgeny Rylov 52.12 + Kirill Prigoda 59.11 + Andrei Minakov 51.17 + Kliment Kolesnikov 47.31 = 3:29.71 Australia: Mitch Larkin 53.04 + Zac Stubblety-Cook 59.69 + Matthew Temple 50.45 + Kyle Chalmers 47.59 = 3:30.77 Japan: Ryosuke Irie 53.00 + Shoma Sato 59.18 + Takeshi Kawamoto 51.00 + Katsumi Nakamura 48.23 = 3:31.41 ◄

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Beyond those top two countries, Canada looks like the strongest contender for bronze, with Kylie Masse, Maggie MacNeil and Penny Oleksiak each capable of contributing elite-level legs. Breaststroke is the weak point for many countries, and of the six contenders listed here, only Sweden’s Sophie Hansson is within a second of King on that leg. United States: Regan Smith 57.92 + Lilly King 1:04.72 + Torri Huske 55.66 + Abbey Weitzeil 53.52 = 3:51.82

United States: Ryan Murphy 52.22 + Michael Andrew 58.14 + Caeleb Dressel 49.76 + Zach Apple 47.72 = 3:27.84

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probably have a little more room to improve on freestyle than Australia does on breaststroke, giving them the advantage.

Great Britain: Kathleen Dawson 58.08 + Molly Renshaw 1:06.21 + Harriet Jones 57.79 + Freya Anderson 53.40 = 3:55.48 Sweden: Michelle Coleman 1:00.00 + Sophie Hansson 1:05.69 + Louise Hansson 56.73 + Sarah Sjostrom 53.47 = 3:55.89 Men’s 400 Medley Relay At the 2019 World Championships, Great Britain’s Duncan Scott pulled off a stunning comeback on the freestyle leg to shock the Americans and steal away the gold medal. Scott’s anchor split of 46.14 was the second-fastest ever. But the composite numbers this year show the American men looking really good for the medley relay, an event they have won at every Olympics except for the boycotted 1980 Games. Ryan Murphy and Caeleb Dressel are world record-holders in the 100 back and 100 fly, respectively, while Michael Andrew (breast) and Zach Apple (free) should provide really solid legs. But Great Britain has Adam Peaty on breast, and he has been as fast as 56.88 in his career. If Andrew can split within a second or a little more of Peaty, then the Americans will be in FLY WITH VELOCITY ANY WAY YOU a solid position, but if Peaty dominates Andrew, then James Guy on fly and Scott on free could again steal the gold. The most balanced team behind those top two countries is Russia, particularly with Evgeny Rylov and Kliment Kolesnikov having awesome years, and Australia is elite on the back half. Japan, meanwhile, will have by far its best chance at a relay medal in its home Games in the men’s medley relay.

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Rio. Young has a bronze medal from Rio.

>> Rudy Garcia-Tolson

Jessica Long, Rudy Garcia-Tolson Selected to Fifth Paralympics for Team USA BY MATTHEW DE GEORGE

eam USA announced the Paralympic swimming team for the 2021 Tokyo Olympics on Monday, a group of 24 women and 10 men that includes five-time Paralympians Jessica Long and Rudy Garcia-Tolson. Long competed for the first time at the 2004 Paralympics in Athens at the age of 12. Long has won 23 Paralympic medals, including 13 golds, the second-most decorated American Paralympian in history. “I don’t know if pleased (with the results) is the correct word, just because I knew coming into this that I wasn’t going to be rested or tapered,” Long said after completing a six-swim program at Trials. “We kind of did a drop taper, a very small rest, so of course I would have liked to swim faster but last week I had a full week of training. I think more than anything I’m a veteran so I know when to perform under pressure in a very, very big Paralympic environment and that’s what I’m really looking forward to. This job was to make the team and swim fast, and I feel like I did that. I did what I needed to. But in Tokyo is where I shine under pressure.” Malory Weggman, McKenzie Coan, Becca Meyers and Colleen Young are all on Team USA for a third Games. Weggemann, a native of Eagan, Minnesota, got to enjoy Trials near her home. She’s the reigning world champion in the S7 50 free and 50 fly. Coan won the 100 and 400 free in Rio and at the last World Championships. She’s chasing the S7 world record in both. “I think my teammates and my coach are so sick of hearing me talk about it because I, literally, that’s all I think about anymore,” Coan said. “It’s all I talk about, it’s all I think about. It’s something I dreamed about for such a long time. But it was nice to go best time. I feel like I keep chipping away at it.” Meyers, like Long a native of Baltimore, won three golds in

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Ellie Marks will look to defend her gold medal from Rio in her second Games. She’s joined by Hannah Aspden, Sophia Herzog, Lizzi Smith, Martha Ruether, McClain Hermes, Cailin Currie and Natalie Sims as two-time Olympics on the women’s side. Eleven women and seven men will be making their Paralympic debuts. That leaves only three vets on the men’s side, but they are decorated ones. Garcia-Tolson has five medals in his four previous games, competing in track and field in 2012. Evan Austin, the defending world champion in the 50 butterfly, is in his third Paralympics. Robert Griswold is looking to build on his bronze in the 100 back from his debut in Rio. Team USA Paralympic Team Women • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Hannah Aspden, Raleigh, N.C. McKenzie Coan, Clarkesville, Ga. Cailin Currie, Danvers, Mass. Julia Gaffney, Mayflower, Ark. McClain Hermes, Dacula, Ga. Sophia Herzog, Fairplay, Colo. Mikaela Jenkins, Evansville, Ind. Keegan Knott, Lake Villa, Ill. Ahalya Lettenberger, Glen Ellyn, Ill. Jessica Long, Baltimore, Md. Ellie Marks, Prescott Valley, Ariz. Becca Meyers, Baltimore, Md. Makayla Nietzel, Crystal Lake, Ill. Anastasia Pagonis, Long Island, N.Y. Gia Pergolini, Roswell, Ga. Martha Ruether, Allegany, N.Y. Summer Schmit, Grant, Minn. Haven Shepherd, Carthage, Mo. Natalie Sims, Edina, Minn. Leanne Smith, Salem, Mass Lizzi Smith, Austin, Texas Morgan Stickney, Bedford, N.H. Mallory Weggemann, Eagan, Minn. Collen Young, St. Louis, Mo.

Men • • • • • • • • • •

David Abrahams, Havertown, Pa. Evan Austin, Terre Haute, Ind. Parker Egbert, Greenwood, S.C. Rudy Garcia-Tolson, Bloomington, Calif. Robert Griswold, Freehold, N.J. Jamal Hill, Inglewood, Calif. Joey Peppersack, Hopewell, Va. Lawrence Sapp, Waldorf, Md. Zachary Shattuck, Mt. Airy, Md. Matthew Torres, Ansonia, Conn. ◄

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As in any aspect of life, once pathways are visible, more people will take them, especially diverse paths. “I am not trying to make swimming a Black sport. It might always be a majority white sport, but we need to make sure it is fully inclusive. If you choose to swim, it is not a farfetched thought. As long as Black people think that swimming isn’t for them, we have a problem. That is part of the narrative I am trying to deface,” Jones said. [ PHOTO BY SPEEDO ]

It is something Jones had to balance when he was an Olympic swimmer.

Cullen Jones Embracing Role to Help Swimming Continue to Be More Inclusive — and Show New Paths BY DAN D'ADDONA

ullen Jones has a front-row seat for the wave of changes in the sport of swimming — and continues to be a part of them. The professional sport is pushing new boundaries in regard to age, and Jones is helping lead the sport into greater diversity. “I was thinking about getting a pool and opening a swim school. But I started to think that if I did that, I would be helping my community. But I built my platform to be so much bigger, so I felt like I would be better utilized trying to be a much bigger national face and try to work through Speedo and the USA Swimming Foundation and being CoChair of Team Black,” Cullen Jones told Swimming World. “After George Floyd, I was profiled outside my house. I had to do something because my son is just drawn to water and I don’t want him to feel like an outsider. I have to be a part of fixing that or changing the perception of that.” The biggest challenge is where to start. “The first thing is to push the learn to swim aspect. Then diversifying the sport is grassroots. I know that Joel Shinofield and I have had some awesome talks about outreach and this next step. But there are gaps. The first gap is getting kids to learn to swim. Then the gap is looking at high school or club or both. Then at 16 looking into schools. Now a junior in college, can I go pro? There are gaps that Team Black can help talk about,” Cullen Jones said. “It is about trying to make sure I can illuminate that 7-year-old’s goals and show how they can get to that next step and show how we did it. I love that USA Swimming lights to highlight us and show pictures and inspire with quotes, but it isn’t showing how we got there. That is my biggest goal to show that pathway.”

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“I ignored it behind the blocks. I am an athlete, but when I get out, I put that other cap back on and try to be a role model for Black athletes,” he said. “It is a big burden and it is a lot when you are trying to train but it comes with the territory. Venus and Serena and Tiger have had to deal with the same thing in their sports.” Having a support system among athletes has been a big boost to swimming, Jones said, and something he is working on doing more with. “After George Floyd, I felt helpless. I thought about my experience and found out that I knew Giles Smith and Simone Manuel, but did I really know them? Was I giving them support? I know at that time, I needed support. We are being more supportive of each other.” Jones has a different perspective now then when he was an active swimmer. Watching the Olympic trials has allowed him to look through past and present lenses simultaneously as some of his friends continue to push the age boundaries in the sport. “We are really still defining it aren’t we? The evolution of the sport has changed where we are able to support ourselves. We are figuring out that age median is changing. It used to be one Olympics and you were done. Now we have Schmitty (Allison Schmitt) going to her fourth. That is awesome. I got a little emotional on that one because I know how much she has been through. To see her do so well means a lot,” Cullen Jones said. “It is hard (as a spectator). I am used to being the one giving heart failure to everyone, now I am having it watching all of my friends racing.” He even had thoughts of trying to have one last swim at the Olympic trials. “When I got here, I just felt that it could have been a really cool thing for my son to watch me race on more time. It’s not a regret, but then I think about all the training it would have taken to be here,” Cullen Jones said. “I am proud of how I hung up the goggles.” But even more proud of how he is staying connected with swimming, and pushing it in the right direction. ◄

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TYR Sport www.tyr.com.....................................................................(800) 252.7878 KICKBOARDS Kiefer Aquatics www.kiefer.com...............................................................(309) 451.5858 CONTINUED ON 28 >> CONTINUED ON 28 >> JULY 2021

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Kiefer Aquatics www.kiefer.com..............................................................(309) 451.5858 Kiefer Aquatics is a leading distributor serving lifeguards, swim teams, aquatic facilities and learn-to-swim programs in the U.S. Kiefer’s selection of swim, lifeguard and facility products also includes exclusive products we have developed that provide additional customer selection, value and quality. Our service and distribution portfolio also includes local swim shops operating as All American Swim and the e-commerce sites: Kiefer.com, TheLifeguardStore.com and AllAmericanSwim.com. Kiefer was founded in 1947 by Adolph Kiefer—U.S. Olympic gold medalist, WWII Navy instructor, aquatics industry pioneer and member of the International Swimming Hall of Fame. Kiefer’s legacy of service, selection, value and performance continues to propel us today. Spectrum Aquatics www.spectrumaquatics.com....................................(406) 532.6352 SwimOutlet.com www.SwimOutlet.com................................................(800) 691.4065

Swiss Timing - Omega www.swisstimingusa.com.........................................(678) 463.5678 PADDLES & PULL BUOYS FINIS www.finisswim.com.....................................................(888) 333.4647 TYR Sport www.tyr.com.....................................................................(800) 252.7878 POOL ACCESS EQUIPMENT Spectrum Aquatics www.spectrumaquatics.com....................................(406) 532.6352 S.R. Smith www.srsmith.com.........................................................(800) 824.4387 POOL CONSTRUCTION & EQUIPMENT S.R. Smith www.srsmith.com.........................................................(800) 824.4387 Since 1932, S.R. Smith has manufactured high-quality CONTINUED ON 32 >>

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products for residential swimming pools and commercial aquatic facilities. Products include ladders and rails, thermal pool covers, bulkheads, diving boards, slides, pool lighting, starting blocks, lifeguard chairs, lane line reels, pool games, water features and a full line of ADA-compliant pool lifts. And for people who design and build aquatic facilities, we have created configuration tools to make it easier to select the S.R. Smith products needed. Through a network of distributors, we offer products for new construction, remodel and the aquatic service industries. For more information, visit www.srsmith.com. SUITMATE® by Extractor Corporation www.suitmate.com........................................................(847) 742.3532 SwimOutlet.com www.SwimOutlet.com................................................(800) 691.4065 POOL EQUIPMENT—HEATING/COOLING AquaCal AutoPilot, Inc. www.autopilot.com........................................................(727) 823.5642 AquaCal AutoPilot, Inc. has been manufacturing swimming pool heat pumps and salt chlorine generators in Florida since 1982, remaining the market leader by setting the standard for quality and technological innovations. AutoPilot salt chlorine generators deliver constant and controlled chlorine production in the pool’s plumbing, which means the pool and surrounding environment are no longer tainted with noxious chemical odors. This virtually eliminates chloramines and other nasty side effects, making the pool water softer and safer for swimmers.

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Mercersburg Academy.........................................Mercersburg, PA Co-ed Boarding, Grades 9-12/Postgraduate (717) 328.6173.................................admission@mercersburg.edu www.mercersburg.edu Peddie School.................................................................Hightstown, NJ Co-ed Boarding & Day, Grades 9-12/Postgraduate (609) 944.7501.............................................admission@peddie.org www.peddie.org Phillips Academy..............................................................Andover, MA Co-ed Boarding & Day, Grades 9-Postgraduate (978) 749.4000......................................................dfox@andover.edu www.andover.edu RESISTANCE TRAINING NZ Manufacturing www.nzcordz.com .........................................................(800) 886.6621 NZ Manufacturing,Inc.,a leader in high-quality resistance swim training, general sports training and physical rehabilitation tools, celebrates its 36th year providing innovative exercise products to coaches,athletes,physical therapists,chiropractors and patients. NZ Manufacturing was founded in 1985 with the development of Strech-Cordz®, a line of high-quality swim training products. Originally designed by a small group of competitive swimmers, Strech-Cordz® Dryland and In-Water tools help improve stroke, endurance and strength through resistance. Today, Strech-Cordz® Gear is recognized as the top swim training product line worldwide, used by swimmers ranging from novice to international Olympians.

SCOREBOARDS International Sports Timing (IST) www.istime.com..............................................................(800) 835.2611 Swiss Timing - Omega www.swisstimingusa.com.........................................(678) 463.5678 SOCIAL DISTANCING TRAINING TOOLS FINIS www.finisswim.com.....................................................(888) 333.4647 NZ Manufacturing www.nzcordz.com........................................................(800) 886.6621 SwimOutlet.com www.SwimOutlet.com................................................(800) 691.4065 SPORTS & COMMUNITY FACILITY Hampton Virginia Aquaplex www.SportsHampton.com.......................................(800) 487.8778 Introducing the Hampton Virginia Aquaplex & Splash Down Park, ideal for Mid-Atlantic and national competitive events. It is a state-of-the-art facility for swimming and diving, artistic swimming, water polo and other competitive aquatic sports. The Aquaplex features an Olympic-sized 50-meter pool, a warm-up program pool,1,500 spectator seats,an outdoor splash park and more! The center will serve the community with CONTINUED ON 36 >>

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[ PHOTO BY BECCA WYANT ]

Sun Yang Ban Reduced, but Three-Time Champion Will Miss Tokyo Olympics Following CAS Retrial BY LIZ BYRNES

un Yang will not defend his 200 freestyle title at the Tokyo Olympics after he was banned for four years and three months after a retrial at the Court of Arbitration for Sport. The Chinese swimmer had been handed an eight-year suspension in February 2020 which stemmed from an outof-competition test in September 2018 during which a vial of Sun’s blood was smashed with a hammer by a member of his team. There were also allegations of aggression and intimidation of the testers while Sun’s team claimed they didn’t have the correct credentials. Governing body FINA initially ruled that Sun just be issued a caution but an appeal by the World Anti-Doping Agency was upheld by CAS and the ban imposed. The three-time Olympic champion appealed the verdict to the Swiss Federal Tribunal which ruled that a member of the three-person CAS panel, Franco Frattini, made biased comments on social media and sent the case back to the CAS for retrial. A new panel was formed comprising Dr Hans Nater (Switzerland), President, Prof. Jan Paulsson (France) and Prof. Bernard Hanotiau (Belgium) and the hearing was held in May.

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On Tuesday CAS announced it had lowered the length of the ban but ensured Sun will not defend his title in Tokyo next month. It was backdated to 28 February 2020 meaning he will be free to compete in June 2024, ahead of the Olympics in Paris. Sun will be 32 by then and his intentions are not yet known: the Chinese trials were held in May this year so should it be the same in 2024, he may not even get the chance to qualify for the team. It was Sun’s second doping infraction after he tested positive for the stimulant Trimetazidine in May 2014 for which he was given a three-month penalty with four years imposed for the second offence. The CAS verdict began: “The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has issued a new decision in the appeal arbitration procedure brought by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) against the Chinese swimmer Sun Yang and the Fédération Internationale de Natation (FINA) in relation to the decision issued by the FINA Doping Panel dated 3 January 2019 (the Challenged Decision) whereby Sun Yang was found not to have committed an Anti-Doping Rule Violation (ADRV) following an outof-competition doping control.” It continued:

“The new Panel found to its comfortable satisfaction that Sun Yang committed the following ADRVs when an unsuccessful attempt was made to collect blood and urine samples from him at his residence on 4-5 September 2018: “• Article 2.3 of the 2021 FINA Doping Code (2021 FINA DC) (“Evading, Refusing or Failing to Submit to Sample Collection by an Athlete”). “• Article 2.5 of the 2021 FINA DC (“Tampering or Alleged Tampering with any Part of Doping Control by an Athlete or Other Person”). “The new Panel found Sun Yang to have acted recklessly in particular when he refused to allow the blood samples to leave with the Sample Collection Personnel, causing the abortion of the out-ofcompetition anti-doping control of 4-5 September 2018. “Like the First Panel, the new Panel found that the appropriate sanction for such ADRV alone should be a 4-year period of ineligibility, in accordance with the 2021 FINA DC. In view of the fact that Sun Yang committed an ADRV in June 2014 for which he received a 3-month period of ineligibility, the present violations constitute his second ADRV.” It also explained a change in the imposition of sanctions where previously they were “bound to impose a unique sanction corresponding to twice the period of ineligibility applicable to the second ADRV, i.e. the harshest possible sanction” – which in this case had been eight years. Now a panel can select from a range of sanctions based on their assessment of the “entirety of the circumstances”. The verdict continued: “The new Panel considered that the circumstances surrounding the sample collection of 4-5 September 2018 merited a period of ineligibility at the lower end of the range: namely the addition of the 3-month period (from 2014) to the 4-year ban applicable in this second case. “Consequently, the Panel concluded that a period of ineligibility of 4 years and 3 months (i.e. 51 months) commencing on 28 February 2020 is to be imposed on Sun Yang.” WADA released a statement, saying: “The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) welcomes the ruling of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in the case of WADA’s appeal against the Fédération Internationale de Natation (FINA) disciplinary panel decision related to

an incident that led to a doping control involving Chinese swimmer Sun Yang not being completed as planned. “WADA had lodged the appeal on the basis that Sun Yang refused to submit to sample collection and tampered with the collection process as per the terms of the World AntiDoping Code (Code) and the related International Standard for Testing and Investigations. “This was the second time the case came before CAS. It was reheard by CAS following a decision by the Swiss Federal Tribunal to uphold a revision application filed by Sun Yang, which set aside the original 28 February 2020 CAS award due to a successful challenge made by the athlete against the Chair of Panel. “WADA Director General Olivier Niggli said: ‘“The decision by the Swiss Federal Tribunal to set aside the CAS award was limited to a challenge made against the Chair of the CAS Panel and had nothing to do with the substance of this case. “‘Today’s ruling reconfirms WADA’s position in relation to the original FINA ruling, which was that there were a number of points that were inconsistent with the Code. “‘Today’s CAS ruling validates those concerns.’” “WADA reviews all anti-doping decisions taken by Code Signatories to ensure they are in line with the Code and the Agency reserves its right to exercise its independent right of appeal when warranted.” FINA issued a statement which read: “FINA acknowledges the decision rendered by the Court of Arbitration for Sport in the case WADA v. Sun Yang and FINA. “FINA confirms that Mr Sun Yang (CHN) has been sanctioned for 4 years and 3 months, effective as from February 28, 2020. “FINA will enforce the CAS Award according to its terms, and in accordance with its obligations as a Signatory to the World Anti-Doping Code. “FINA remains committed to the protection of all clean aquatics athletes worldwide and will carefully consider the 90-page award.” ◄ BIWEEKLY

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[ PHOTO BY STEPHAN HOLLAND PHOTOGRAPHY ]

>> Thomas Neill

Emma McKeon and Kyle Chalmers Drop 200 Freestyle From Tokyo Programs; Spots Filled BY IAN HANSON

ackley rookies Thomas Neill and Isaac Cooper, experienced campaigners Madi Wilson and Cam McEvoy and former world record holder Matthew Wilson have been rewarded with individual swims for Australia at this month’s Tokyo Olympics. All were selected as relay swimmers – Neill on the 4x200m, Cooper, the 4x100m medley, Wilson the 4x100m and 4x200m freestyle and McEvoy the 4x100m freestyle. But with the official entries lodged with Tokyo 2020 today, the withdrawal of “top guns” Emma McKeon and Kyle Chalmers from their respective individual 200m events, with Matthew Temple also withdrawing from the 100m freestyle.

Australia’s second 1500m freestyler. Neil will now have the 200 and 1500m freestyle as well as the 4x200m freestyle relay, while his Rackley team mate, Cooper, the surprise packet of the Australian Trials, gets an individual berth in the 100m backstroke. Cooper, who left his beloved Bundaberg to attend school in Toowoomba before joining Rackley coach Damien Jones at Centenary Pool last December, was only just beaten by former world champion Mitch Larkin at the Trials.

McKeon was second to Ariarne Titmus at the Australian Trials with Wilson third – but with McKeon also qualifying for the 50 and 100m freestyles and 100m butterfly, as well as all four relays, her coach Michael Bohl has withdrawn his all-around star from the grueling 200 freestyle.

And then there’s McEvoy who swam his way onto a third Olympic team from the swimming wilderness, qualifying for the 4x100m freestyle relay – only to see himself in the 50m and 100m freestyle after there were no swimmers who made qualifying in the 50m and with Temple withdrawing to concentrate on the 100 and 200m butterfly events and the relays.

Likewise with Chalmers, who will go head-to-head with Caeleb Dressel as he attempts to become the first Australian male to defend the blue ribband 100m freestyle crown, and will be a key factor in Australia’s relay assaults. In comes Thomas Neill, who turns 19 on Saturday, an early birthday present for one of Australia’s rising freestyle stars who also gets a real bonus when he joins Jack McLoughlin as

While Wilson, who’s heart-breaking images stole the hearts and souls of the swimming public when he missed the automatic, was named on the team with compassionate grounds after the passing of his grandmother on the eve of the Australian Trials. The former world record holder in the 200m will now contend the 100 and 200m breaststroke and be eligible for the Australian relays. ◄

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[PHOTOS BY MIKE JURUS PHOTOGRAPHY]

SW Biweekly July 7, 2021 Issue

Articles inside

HOW THEY TRAIN MEGAN MORONEY AND ASPEN GERSPER

EMMA McKEON AND KYLE CHALMERS DROP 200 FREESTYLE FROM TOKYO PROGRAMS; SPOTS FILLED

SUN YANG BAN REDUCED, BUT THREE TIME CHAMPION WILL MISS TOKYO OLYMPICS FOLLOWING CAS RETRIAL

CULLEN JONES EMBRACING ROLE TO HELP SWIMMING CONTINUE TO BE MORE INCLUSIVE—AND SHOW NEW PATHS

JESSICA LONG, RUDY GARCIA-TOLSON SELECTED TO FIFTH PARALYMPICS TEAM FOR TEAM USA

WHAT THE DATA SAYS ABOUT AMERICAN PERFORMANCES AT THE OLYMPIC GAMES IN TOKYO

AFTER OLYMPIC TRIALS, A BREAKDOWN OF THE U.S. WOMEN’S TEAM BOUND FOR TOKYO

STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES OF THE U.S. MEN’S SWIM TEAM FOR TOKYO OLYMPICS

A LOOK AT HOW THE SEVEN RELAYS ARE SHAPING UP FOR THE TOKYO OLYMPICS

ANDREW WILSON REFLECTS ON JOURNEY FROM DIVISION III SWIMMER TO OLYMPIAN

INSIDE THE FIVE-DAY WAIT FOR BROOKE FORDE, NOW FINALLY AN OLYMPIAN

INSIDE THE JOURNEY OF PAIGE MADDEN: NCAA CHAMPIONSHIPS, COVID-19 & OLYMPIC TRIALS