By John Lohn
BEIJING, China, August 13. IT'S not often that Michael Phelps finds himself not at the top of the standings, but that's where he sits after the preliminaries of the 200 individual medley. And, that's a good sign, an indication that the man who has made Olympic history and is chasing more is handling his program with care.
The world-record holder in the event and the defending Olympic champion, Phelps coasted to a performance of 1:58.65 in his prelim swim. That effort was good for sixth heading into the semifinals, though that place is assuredly going to rise when Phelps takes the block during the morning session. Phelps has already won five gold medals and set five world records in Beijing.
Earning the top seed for the semifinals was American Ryan Lochte, the silver medalist in the event at the 2004 Games in Athens. Less than an hour after qualifying first in the 200 backstroke, Lochte returned to the pool at the Water Cube and touched the wall in 1:58.15 in the medley. Lochte is the second-fastest man in the discipline's history.
"I like my chances (against Michael)," Lochte said. "I did the same schedule at Trials and this time I'm more rested. I had a stomach disorder that just ended two days ago. I'm feeling really good."
Grabbing the third position for the semifinals was Hungarian Laszlo Cseh, the silver medalist in the 400 IM. Cseh won his heat in 1:58.29 and was followed in the pecking order by Brazil's Thiago Pereira (1:58.41). Taking the fourth and fifth slots were Japan's Ken Takakuwa (1:58.51) and Barbados' Bradley Ally (1:58.57).
Italian Alessio Boggiatto (1:58.80) and Canada's Keith Beavers (1:59.19) were seventh and eighth. The other semifinal slots went to Takuro Fujii (1:59.19), South Africa's Darian Townsend (1:59.22), Lithuania's Vytautas Janusaitis (1:59.63), Israel's Gal Nevo (1:59.66), Great Britain's James Goddard (1:59.74) and Liam Tancock (1:59.79), Australia's Leith Brodie (1:59.96) and Austria's Dinko Jukic (2:00.57).
Results: 2008 Olympic Games - Swimming
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Reaction Time Comments
August 13, 2008 The television announcers keep trumpeting that the 400 IM was Michael's greatest challenge with Ryan (and I believe Laszlo), but it is the 200 that concerns me. IF Michael is tiring and not quite as sharp and "quick", then this is the event where one small mistake could stop him dead in his tracks for the 8 golds. At least with the 400 (and the other events), Michael's superior conditioning gave him an advantage (along with natural endurance ability), but this one is "all out sprint who wants it more".
All three (Phelps, Lochte and Cseh) have their own personal reasons for going all out from start to finish. Which one will win out? Who knows. Submitted by: paddles
August 13, 2008 I agree this event is more challenging than the 400IM if you ignore the other swimmers programs. However, Lochte swim in the 200 Backstroke will have an impact on his ability to swim his fastest race. To beat Phelps, Lochte would have to be the best he has ever been in the event and I don't believe the 200 Back final will allow him to be that. Submitted by: OUSWIMMER
August 13, 2008 This one scares me for Phelps. I agree that it should be a tougher test for Phelps than the 400 im. Lochte was only two tenths of a second behind him at trials! No room for error here. But Michael knows that too and I'm sure he is prepared for it. I hope that people won't look at Lochte as the bad guy here if he wins. He wants that gold too. Submitted by: skimalaya
August 13, 2008 Another concern for Phelps is that he has the 100 Fly semi final just 36 minutes after the START of the 200 IM final.
I know it sounds crazy to worry about Phelps in a semi final, but this is his shortest event and his quickest turn around.
I believe it will take a 51.9 and maybe even 51.5 to make the final, so he has very little room for error.
I'm sure they have a plan for it, but that's not much time to warm down. Does he put on a dry LZR before each race? I wonder if he will make a point to get the top time in Prelims tomorrow so that he swims the second semi.
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Speaking of the 100 fly, I think Bousquet may be an even bigger threat then Crocker. Submitted by: House
August 13, 2008 According to an SI article, the 200IM Medals are also just before the 100Fly semi. I'm guessing Phelps won't hang around for many pictures.
In 2004 he swam 1.20 slower then his WR in the 200IM final before the quick turnaround. Cseh and Lochte are swimming to well for him to do that this year.
Skimalaya, the only way Lochte might be seen as the "bad guy" is if he dogs or scratches the 200 back. I don't think there is any way he would do that. Submitted by: House
August 13, 2008 (oops, dropped this in the wrong comment box earlier)
You're right. Lochte is too much of a competitor to do that.
And Bousquet is definitely one to worry about in the 100 fly. His speed is on judging by his 46.6 free relay split the other night. And wouldn't be huge for a French swimmer to end Phelps' record run after what happened the other night. Hope not.
Submitted by: skimalaya Submitted by: skimalaya
August 14, 2008 Perhaps Phelps should offer each "threat" swimmer a million bucks each to back off in the race and let him win....
Calm down! Just kidding, although the thought did flash through my head when Bernard "tied up" at the end of the 400 free relay.... I only entertained the idea for a second, I swear! Submitted by: Hodori88
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