Column by John Lohn
CRANBURY, New Jersey, September 14. TWO weeks ago, this column tossed out the argument that Michael Phelps was the most dominant athlete in the world. The reactions to that assessment were wide-ranging, many in disagreement and some on the same page. Whichever way the readers of this site went, there was a quality dialogue on the topic.
So, for this week's column, the idea arose to put together a questionnaire-type piece. We'll throw out a few queries and try to engage in a healthy give-and-take between the readers on some debates within this great sport. Be passionate about your arguments if you like, but just remember to demonstrate a level of courtesy. Varied opinions can be argued, but they also should be respected.
**Outside of Michael Phelps, who is the world's second-best swimmer? This is a question that can be answered in a handful of ways, depending on viewpoint. Do you prefer an all-around swimmer, such as Ryan Lochte or Laszlo Cseh? Or, do you prefer someone like Aaron Peirsol, perhaps the most dominant backstroker in history? What about someone like Britta Steffen, who doubled in the sprints at both the Olympics and World Championships?
My taste goes with Lochte, who has proven his worth not only in the backstroke and medley disciplines, but in the 100 and 200 freestyle, and as a quality butterfly and breaststroker. Have to admit it was a tough call over Peirsol, whose 100 fly at the U.S. Nationals last summer was a sweet complement to his backstroke excellence. Oh, and Peirsol also has been impressive through the years in the 200 fly and 200 free.
**Which coach from around the world deserves the most credit for his/her production? Is it Bob Bowman, for his creation of a masterpiece in Michael Phelps? Is it Eddie Reese, for his stellar job through the years with the likes of Ian Crocker, Aaron Peirsol and Brendan Hansen? Does Brett Hawke get consideration because of what he's done on the sprint scene? Is it someone else?
**Which American youngster has the brightest future, and will make the biggest impact on the international stage? The United States has a nice crop of talent coming through the pipeline, among both males and females. To name just a few, the Stars and Stripes appear to be in good shape with Tyler Clary and Jimmy Feigen, along with Elizabeth Pelton, Missy Franklin and Dagny Knutson.
Because Clary earned his first international medal at the recent World Championships, he gets the nod in my book. His versatility is a major selling point and he'll bring a lot to the table in the years to come. Feigen, though, got a real deep look. He's likely the future of American sprinting and should be a guy the U.S. can count on in relay duty.
**Which woman will make the biggest return to international competition? We'll throw these three names out there: Natalie Coughlin, Leisel Jones and Katie Hoff. Coughlin took a well-deserved break after the Olympics and is about to debut on Dancing with the Stars. Afterward, look for her talents to again shine in the water. Hoff, meanwhile, could benefit from a change of scenery when she heads to California to train under Sean Hutchison. As for Jones, she raced in the leadup to the World Champs, but didn't head to Rome. Her return to dominance is probably only a formality.
**What's your preference for the venue for the United States Olympic Trials: The Indiana University Natatorium, Long Beach or the Qwest Center in Omaha? From an historic point of view, Indy is the way to go. The Wall, where the list of Olympic qualifiers is etched, is a wonderful touch. But the place is too small and the portable pool setup has worked sensationally the past two Olympiads.
To be honest, I could go either way with Long Beach and Omaha. It was cool to have the 2004 Trials outdoors, but Omaha was much better than I anticipated, and erased my middle-of-nowhere misconception. What do you like?
**What's your take on the record book? Leave it the way it is, or create two lists of global standards? Ah, the high-tech suit craze created a mess. Now, as we move closer to the return to textiles, what should be done with the sport's time standards? There isn't an easy answer.
**Finally, looking at history, what would be your ideal historical medley relay – men and women? Of course, times must be measured by era, but given the choice, which four individuals from around the world would you love to see come together for the ultimate medley relay?
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September 14, 2009 John -- This is too much material for one article. I think you should have divided up the various questions into an article each, as each merits plenty of discussion. This one is going to go in too many separate directions. Congratulations, btw, on the overwhelming response to your last article. If it's not too late, I'd say split it up. Submitted by: halfbreed
September 14, 2009 I would agree with "halfbreed". There is too much stuff in here. Will give short answers here but longer answers if cut up.
2nd best swimmer? - Peirsol. Almost chose Lochte as he is also amazing but what Peirsol has done is incredible. Given his third place finish in the 100 fly at nationals cements it for me.
Coach? - Eddie Reese. Take for example that 3/4ths of the men's 400 Medley Relay WR has been Reese's swimmers for a good part of the last decade. (For much of it - Peirsol, Hansen, Crocker but even now it is Peirsol, Shanteau, and Walter) His record of production is awesome.
Youngster? - Here's one that get's overlooked each time someone asks about it ... Elizabeth Beisel. All she has done is be a part of the world or Olympic team since she was 13. She is the 2nd fastest American ever in the 200 Back and 400 IM. Her 100 back and 200 IM are getting better as well. The others mentioned are going to be great but Beisel is a superstar in the making in my mind and she often gets overlooked in these discussions.
Will take on the other questions later. Submitted by: teamwiess
September 14, 2009 I agree, too many topics for one note. Anyway, below my pic for 2nd best swimmer: Cesar Cielo, 100 olympic champion and 50 Submitted by: max argie
September 14, 2009 I agree, too many topics for one note. Anyway, my pic for best 2nd best swimmer: Cesar Cielo, 50 free olympic champion and 50 & 100 free world champion. 100 free is the king of all races!
Paul Biedermann? I would like to see him with briefs... if he beats Phelps in the 200 free, then he is up there as well, buy only then. Submitted by: max argie
September 14, 2009 Aaron Peirsol. Why? Has broken 13 world records, has
seven olmypic medals. Three of those being individual. Numerous World titles, and the top of
his sport for 10 years. Long live the King!!! Submitted by: swimfan3
September 14, 2009 My mistake Aaron has three individual gold; two
silver. Submitted by: swimfan3
September 14, 2009 Lochte as second best swimmer,
Reese over Bowman by a mile.
Too many up and comers to pick one, and I hope Hoff can come back with Sean.
The record book needs to keep the rubber records, like it or not.
Great question about the relay, women's would have to include Shirley Babashoff! Submitted by: nosniveling
September 14, 2009 I choose Aaron And Britta(second best swimmers).
Cielo´s best times(and deeds) is still to come.Watchout for Clary! Submitted by: MrIron
September 15, 2009 Medley Relay:
Aaron Piersol
Steve Lundquist
Mark Spitz
Matt Biondi Submitted by: ctl
September 15, 2009 Men's Medley Relay - This is tough but ...
Peirsol
Henken
Crocker
Biondi
Women's Medley Relay
Coughlin
Caulkins
Meagher
Thompson Submitted by: teamwiess
September 15, 2009 Eddie Reese for developing the most talent.
Michael Phelps for the winning the 400IM & WR
For young boys & girls talent, there will be others taking the spot light this Fall.
For the Trials, Indy is to small and old, California is to far West and Omaha was super in 2008. Its in the center of the country and many more fans can affort an airline ticket to the trials.
Back to the most dominate athlete, I'd have change my vote to Tiger Woods after watching him win his 71st tournament last weekend by 7 strokes. Submitted by: TheBigSurf
September 15, 2009 Medley Relay:
A.Peirsol
B.Hanson / S. Spann
I. Crocker
J. Feigen / D. Walters Submitted by: TheBigSurf
September 15, 2009 What! How do you not put Jason Lezak anchoring the Medley Relay after what he did in Beijing? I think the other choices have more room for argument.... but not that one. Submitted by: Sphere
September 15, 2009 As much as I love Piersol, I got to go with Lochte. In fact, head-to-head, over all disciplines, he rivals Phelps:
100M Free -- Phelps
200M Free -- Phelps
100 Back -- Lochte
200 Back -- Lochte
100 Fly -- Phelps
200 Fly -- Phelps
100 Breast -- Lochte
200 Breast -- Lochte
So if you raced them head-to-head in each of those events, it would probably end up in a 4-4 tie. That only leaves the IMs. The 400 has to go to Phelps. Lochte's great, but he hasn't come close to a 4:03. But the 200 IM is a different story. Lochte broke Phelps' record at Worlds, wearing the same suit. So at this point, you gotta give Lochte the nod. Make it a 5-5 tie.
Submitted by: spineman
September 15, 2009 Let me take a shot at second best swimmer. My immediate and instinctive reaction is to go with Lochte, since he's the second best all around swimmer of all time. He's genuinely world class at all four strokes, like Phelps, and his extreme versatility is best illustrated by the fact that at US Opens in Dec '07, he won both the 50 free and 400 IM, something no other swimmer has ever done. (In fact, I don't think there's ever been a swimmer who's won both the 50 free and 200IM, or 50 free and 200 back, which Lochte also did at that meet.) I have to disagree with Spineman above, I don't think it's clear who would win a backstroke or breaststroke competition between Phelps and Lochte, remember that Phelps went a 200 back in 1:54.4 in '04, and both he and Lochte have been 1:02+ for the 100 breast midseason. Also, Lochte actually wore a different suit, the full body LAZR to set his 200 IM WR, whereas Phelps just wore the leggings. When you take into account Phelps' superiority in fly and free, it becomes apparent that in the 200 IM, either Lochte is more than the sum of his parts, or Phelps is less. Not sure which. In any case, Lochte is the obvious choice.
I have to disagree with Mr. Lohn about Piersol being the most dominant backstroker of all time, I think that title still belongs to Roland Matthes, who won two individual Olympic titles in both '68 and '72. His reign lasted from '67 to '74, and he was undefeated that entire time. He, coincidentally, was also a world class 100 flyer, at one point ranking fourth on the all time world list in that event. Also, Matthes, when he won, won by larger margins over his competition than Piersol does. Piersol may yet pass him by, especially if he swims till 2012, but it hasn't happened yet.
Just to play devil's advocate, how about Kosuke Kitajima? He's the most dominant breaststroker of all time, having won the double double at the last two Olympics. (Amazingly, no other breaststroker has ever even won a single double yet, if you don't count Hencken, who won the 200 in '72 and the 100 in '76.) Kitajima's not on anybody's mind right now because he wasn't active this year, but he hasn't retired yet, and now his records have been broken, but he has to be considered.
But my vote still goes to Lochte, whose Caulkins-like (or Phelpsian) versatility is mind-boggling. He just had the misfortune to be competing at the same time as the greatest swimmer of all time.
Submitted by: halfbreed
September 16, 2009 The best and second best male swimmers should be chosen between Cielo and Biederman. Submitted by: zhaoleban
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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