By John Lohn
CRANBURY, New Jersey, July 29. TODAY marks the final female-event preview in SwimmingWorldMagazine.com's 32-week Olympic Series. We'll take a look at the 400 freestyle relay, an event that is loaded and should produce plenty of excitement in Beijing.
Historical Perspective
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Defending Champion: Australia – 3:35.94.
World-Record Holder: Netherlands – 3:33.62.
Most Titles: United States (14) – 1920, 1924, 1928, 1932, 1948, 1960, 1964, 1968, 1972, 1976, 1984, 1992, 1996, 2000.
Notable: The Netherlands enters the Olympic Games with the world record and, consequently, as the favorite to win the gold medal. The Dutch have not won the gold medal in this event since the 1936 Games in Berlin.
Here's a look at the leading contenders.
The Netherlands: At the European Championships earlier this year, the Dutch threw down the gauntlet and became the gold-medal favorite by popping a world record of 3:33.62. The Netherlands relied on Inge Dekker on the leadoff leg, then received strong showings from Ranomi Kromowidjojo and Femke Heemskerk. The anchor was handled by Marleen Veldhuis in 52.62.
At last year's World Championships in Melbourne, the Netherlands picked up the bronze medal behind Australia and the United States. Whether the Dutch can maintain their momentum from the Euro Champs will be determined shortly. Certainly, they'll be in the chase for gold and feature a stud in Veldhuis for the anchor slot.
Australia: Four years ago, Australia ended the United States' run of three straight gold medals. However, only two members of that squad – Libby Trickett and Alice Mills – will be in action in Beijing. Of course, Trickett is as good as it gets. The world-record holder in the 100 freestyle, Trickett has the ability to reel in any foe.
Rising teenage star Cate Campbell will also provide a huge spark for the Aussies. A contender for a pair of individual-sprint medals, Campbell has been 53-low for the 100 meters. Mills could handle one of the legs in the championship final with other challengers for a spot being Melanie Schlanger, Lara Davenport, Shayne Reese, Felicity Galvez and Angie Bainbridge.
United States: The Americans will attempt to regain the gold medal behind the one-two combination of Natalie Coughlin, the American-record holder, and the ageless Dara Torres. At the U.S. Trials, Torres edged Coughlin in the final. Together, they're the cornerstone of this relay. Torres, focused on the 50 free, has opted to not race the 100 free as an individual.
The third and fourth positions at Trials went to Lacey Nymeyer and Jessica Hardy, but Hardy recently tested positive for a banned substance and likely won't be in Beijing. Among other possibilities are Julia Smit and Kara Lynn Joyce, the latter of whom was added to the team after Emily Silver suffered a hand injury. When on form, Joyce could provide a stellar leg. Although she didn't qualify at Trials, Katie Hoff remains an option. If Hoff is showing enough speed, the coaching staff could call on her talent.
Germany: At last year's World Championships, the Germans finished just out of the medal picture, placing fourth. Formerly the world-record holder, Germany is headlined by Britta Steffen, who recently uncorked a 53.05 showing in the 100 free. Steffen is a superb relay performer and is likely to be joined by Annika Lurz. Petra Dallman, Daniela Gotz, Antje Buschschulte and Daniela Samulski are the other options.
France: The French were sixth at the 2007 World Champs, but they could find themselves pushing for a top-five showing if everything falls right. Alena Popchanka and Malia Metella are the top performers and there's a possibility that Laure Manaudou could find a spot on the relay, though that scenario is hardly a lock. Other potential members include Aurore Mongel and Celine Couderc.
Other contenders: Sweden doesn't have the depth of several other nations, but they have a pair of standouts that could aid in a run to the championship final. Therese Alshammar has been a longtime staple on the international scene and among the world's premier sprinters. Meanwhile, Josefin Lillhage is another well-established force. Again, China is a mystery. Yet, Pang Jiaying has been 54-low this year and figures to be a leading performer for the host nation. Also keep an eye on Great Britain, led by Francesca Halsall and with other solid options in Caitlin McClatchey and Mel Marshall.
Reaction Time Comments
July 29, 2008 I can't see anyone beating Australia for this. But anyway that last spot is tricky - I'm pretty sure it's going to be Trickett/Campbell/Schlanger and Reese and Mills will fight it out for the final spot. I think Reese will have it.
Good you included Hoff in there because she swim s an alright 100m free herself and has been 54 low recently.
I think the only team that can MAYBE upset for a medal is Great Britain because they have 4 people who can swim consistent enough legs, but I think the Dutch/Aussies/Americans are safe to take this out. Submitted by: Priyant
July 29, 2008 Yeah the Aussies have it IMO as well. The dutch normally swim really well at european champs and sometimes worlds, but when it comes to the olympics i dont see them beating the aussies. i think it will be a battle for the silver between the americans and dutch but i think the US will get the silver and the netherlands the bronze. Submitted by: WUswimmer
July 29, 2008 Seems like it should be a good battle between the Dutch - Aussies - Americans. You mention that Felicity Galvez is one of the possibilities for the Aussie relay, except she didn't make the team. Submitted by: prairie
July 29, 2008 Don't count out the Chinese - since Athens, they've had Yingwen Zhu go 54.03, Yanwei Xu 54.15 and Jiaying Pang 54.17 - if they're all on form and they manage to have some youngster come out of nowhere with a 54-low they could sneak by one of the favourites. Submitted by: FatDrew
July 29, 2008 Prairie - Felicity Galvez made the team as a relay alternate for both relays (and will swim the medley relay heats in butterfly). There was big contraversy (and a court case) when she made it in, but Andrew Mewing didn't.
Submitted by: Priyant
July 29, 2008 I favor the Dutch slightly with two recent WR in LCM and SCM; they are likely very confident and may be a little fresher if they have fewer prior swims than the Aussies. Assuming the US can solidify mentally after sorting out the Torres/Hardy/Silver issues, they should be right behind. Hopefully the coaches can decide sooner rather than later to help with that process. Submitted by: liquidassets
July 29, 2008 Chinese + PEDs = goldmedal
It's happened before. Submitted by: WEK5000
July 29, 2008 Well it happened before, WEK5000; but after peaking at 4 golds in 92 Olympics, they got only one each in 96 and 04, and a goose egg for golds in 2000. The gold medal winner from 04 retired due to medical problems, I think. There may be a few surprises, but overall I doubt it will amount to much. They only have two men and one woman in the top 8, their highest overall is a 7th place ranking right now. I guess that doesn't include the Chinese Olympic Trials, but they have been equally secretive during the other Olympic years since 92 when they did poorly. With the eyes of the world on them and having been nailed and embarrassed several times since '92, I think they realize the rest of the world isn't stupid, and wouldn't risk again tarnishing their Olympic propaganda machine with questions about unexplained sudden medal performances, etc. Submitted by: liquidassets
July 29, 2008 I hope you are 100% correct. We all hope there will be a clean Olympic games, but I'm betting against it. Submitted by: wek5000
July 30, 2008 I expect we will see a prelim US team of Silver, Smit, Joyce, and Hoff, the fastest joining Coughlin, Torres, and Nymeyer in the finals. My pick is AUS gold, USA silver, NED bronze. Submitted by: SwimDER94
July 30, 2008 Priyant - Thanks for the clarification. It seems that lawsuits are becoming more a part of the sport than ever before. It's unfortunate but once one person does it successfully, others are likely to follow - it's just human nature.
As far as who we will see on the American relay, do you really think that Nymeyer has her spot locked up? Would the US ever use a time trial before the games to narrow down who they choose to use on the prelim relays? They definitely have a lot of options, especially with this 4x1 free. Submitted by: prairie
August 9, 2008 I hope my earlier prediction does not come true.
The Chinese qualified first! Submitted by: wek5000
August 9, 2008 wek5000: I heard that China used their top two swimmers this a.m. US should go at least 2 seconds faster this evening and I'm betting the same for Ozzies and Germany. So I'm still thinking China may get shut out. I kept asking on here whether anybody ever found results from their Olympic trials, but nobody responded so it's possible they hid some good times from Trials. Submitted by: liquidassets
Reaction Time responses do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of Swimming World Magazine or SwimmingWorldMagazine.com.
Reaction Time is provided as a service to our readers.
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