London’s Calling: Nathan Adrian and Rebecca Soni

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TEMPE, Arizona, July 23. ONLY four days left until the London Opening Ceremonies. The Olympics are so close; Team USA athletes are departing for London after training in France as the final leg of their camp.

In the following article, Swimming World takes a look at two internationally prominent athletes. Sprinter Nathan Adrian will strive for individual gold in London after qualifying to compete in the 100 freestyle. Meanwhile, breaststroke superstar Rebecca Soni will try to defend her Beijing 2008, 200 breaststroke title. Soni is also expected to display some golden swims in the 100 breaststroke and 400 medley relay.

Nathan Adrian:

Due to NBC rights holder restrictions, the following video interview is only viewable until 7/27/2012:

Nathan Adrian earned a spot on the men's 2008 Olympic, 4×100 freestyle relay. The now-famous Olympic relay was anchored by Jason Lezak and came down to a touch against France's 100 freestyle World Record holder Alain Bernard. Since Adrian competed in the prelims of the relay, Lezak's finish earned him his first and only Olympic medal to date.

Adrian's upcoming performances in London may increase that medal count.

At this year's Olympic Trials, Adrian was the 50 and 100 freestyle favorite. He won the 100 freestyle in a time of 48.10, several tenths ahead of second-place finisher Cullen Jones. Adrian failed to gain individual Olympic berth in the 50 freestyle when he placed third in the event behind Cullen Jones and “comeback kid” Anthony Ervin.

“I would have loved to swim that (50) individually in London, but I just missed my spot,” Adrian said post-race.

Adrian is a Bremerton, Washington native. He graduated from Bremerton High School in 2006 and went on to swim at the University of California, Berkeley. Adrian was incredibly successful as a collegiate athlete, swimming with the Cal Golden Bears under coach Dave Durden.

At the 2009 NCAA Championships, Adrian won the 50 and 100 freestyle, setting American Records in each. He defended his 100 title in both 2010 and 2011, and bettered his American Record in the 50 in 2011.

Outside of college swimming, Adrian won four gold medals at the 2010 Pan Pacific Championships. In the 50 freestyle, he upset Brazil's Cesar Cielo, the Beijing 2008 gold medalist and current 50 and 100-freestyle world record holder. Adding to his 50 title, Adrian won gold in the 100 freestyle, 4×100 freestyle and 4×100 medley relays.

There was a new level of expectation for Adrian leading up to the 2012 Olympic Trials, now equipped with a collection of Championships and records.

“This one (Trials) is a lot different, in '08 I was just some kid who had a shot to make the team,” Adrian said leading into Trials. “But no matter what level you are, there are some expectations that weigh on your shoulders.”

Australia's James Magnussen, who holds the top time in the 100 freestyle for 2012, will be Adrian's fiercest competition in London. Magnussen posted a 47.10, a full second faster than Adrian's swim at Trials.

“I don't think any of these times reflect what we are going to go in London,” Adrian said after the 100 freestyle. “I'm chipping away at my best times.”

Follow Nathan Adrian on Twitter: @nathangadrian

Rebecca Soni:

Due to NBC rights holder restrictions, the following video interview is only viewable until 7/27/2012:

In London, Team USA Captain and breaststroke legend Rebecca Soni will be a hard nut to crack. She is the current World-Record holder in both the 100 and the 200 breaststroke, and has been nearly undefeated in these events in international competition since Beijing 2008.

So it came as a shock when relative unknown Texas A&M swimmer Breeja Larson upset Soni in the 100 breaststroke at Trials. Second place at Trials means Soni does not have a guaranteed spot on the US women's final 400 medley relay.

However, Soni redeemed herself in the 200 breaststroke later in the week at Trials. She blazed past the field to take the win more than three seconds ahead of Micah Lawrence, who touched second.

Four years ago, at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Soni almost didn't compete in the 100 breaststroke. She finished fourth in the event at Trials, but earned a swim after top-finisher Jessica Hardy withdrew from the team and third-place finisher Tara Kirk didn't meet the entry deadlines. She went on to win silver in the event in Beijing, behind Australian Leisel Jones.

However, the 200 breaststroke was Soni's best race in Beijing. She upset heavy favorite Leisel Jones, breaking Jones' world record in the process.

The following year, at the 2009 World Aquatic Championships in Rome, Soni became the first woman under a 1:05 in the 100 breaststroke. At the 2009 Duel in the Pool, Soni additionally broke both of Jones' SCM world records.

Collegiately, Soni was a six-time individual NCAA Champion. She won the 200 breaststroke consecutively from 2006 to 2009, and the 100 breaststroke in 2008 and 2009. These accomplishments came while swimming at University of Southern California under coach Dave Salo.

After winning the 2011 World Championships in the 100 breaststroke by more than a second, Soni is the heavy favorite to win in London.

“I don't know if it's any extra pressure. I'm honored to be thought of that way (as a favorite),” said Soni before Trials. “I don't put the expectation on myself to win. I'm going to give it my best shot and see who comes out on top.”

Soni won Swimming World Magazine's World Swimmer of the Year award in 2010 and 2011, and the American Swimmer of the Year award in 2009, 2010 and 2011.

Follow Rebecca Soni on Twitter: @rebsoni

Read the rest of the “London's Calling” Series by clicking on the link below:
London's Calling: Swimming World's Countdown to the Opening Ceremonies

Written and posted by Shoshanna Rutemiller
@ShoshyJean

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