EVENT-BY-EVENT PREVIEW: MEN’S SWIMMING
» Conor Dwyer, USA
[PHOTO BY PETER H. BICK]
PICTURED
800 Meter Freestyle Relay
HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE Reigning Champion: United States Past Champions: Great Britain (1908), Australasia (1912), United States (1920), United States (1924), United States (1928), Japan (1932), BY JOHN Japan (1936), United States (1948), United States (1952), Australia (1956), United States (1960), United States (1964), United States (1968), United States (1972), United States (1976), Soviet Union (1980), United States (1984), United States (1988), Unified Team (1992), United States (1996), Australia (2000), United States (2004), United States (2008) World Record: United States (Michael Phelps, Ricky Berens, Dave Walters, Ryan Lochte), 6:58.55 Notable: The only two times Japan has won an Olympic relay title was in this event. The Japanese prevailed in 1932 and 1936, with Masanori Yusa the only athlete to compete on both relays. THE HEADLINERS The United States is the favorite to win a third consecutive Olympic gold medal in the 800 free relay, largely due to the duo of Michael Phelps and Ryan Lochte. Phelps, of course, is the reigning Olympic champion and the fastest 200 freestyler ever in a textile suit, while Lochte is the reigning world champion. Behind Phelps and Lochte, the United States remains solid with Ricky Berens—who will also be competing in the individual 200 event—and Conor Dwyer.
Keeping an eye on China and Russia will be a must. While Sun Yang is China’s go-to guy, it’s uncertain which foursome will step to the blocks. However, a loaded and peaking Chinese team will be difficult to handle—after all, China won LOHN the bronze medal at last summer’s World Championships. For Russia, it has plenty of power in Danila Izotov, Nikita Lobintsev and Evgeny Lagunov. Coming off a silver medal at Worlds, France will again be a factor in the medal hunt. With Yannick Agnel and Amaury Leveaux, the French look good. They also possess depth, thanks to the presence of Gregory Mallet and Clement Leffert. Other pushes for the final will come from Germany, fueled by Paul Biedermann, and Australia, which will need improvement across the board since it lacks a star 200 freestyler. WHAT ELSE? The leadoff legs of this relay could make the event partly resemble the 200 free. The likes of Michael Phelps, Yannick Agnel and Paul Biedermann were leadoff swimmers at the World Champs, adding intrigue to the race from the start. SWIMMING WORLD’S PICKS Gold: United States Silver: France Bronze: Russia ❖ Olympic Preview
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