Looking Forward to Aussie 400 Free Relay; Lohn’s All-Time Lineup for 200 Backs

Column by John Lohn, Swimming World senior writer

BASKING RIDGE, New Jersey, September 12. WE'RE almost two months removed from Australia's stunning performance in the 400 freestyle relay at the World Championships in Shanghai, an effort that handed the Boys From Down Under the gold medal over the United States and France, the pre-race favorites. Now that we've had the chance to digest that showing, the question must be asked: Is Australia the nation to beat at next year's Olympics in London?

It will be difficult to match the 400 free relay from Beijing in terms of pure drama. You can thank Jason Lezak and his unreal anchor leg for the Americans for that. But the 400 free relay in London is shaping up to be one heck of a clash, with the Aussies entering the competition as the victor of the last major international gold in the event. So, let's take a look at Australia's makeup a little less than a year from the next Olympiad.

Should Australia get to next summer's Games with the same lineup it utilized in Shanghai, it can be confident. All four members of the squad cracked the 48-second barrier for their leg, including James Magnussen's ridiculous leadoff effort of 47.49. Meanwhile, Matt Targett, Matt Abood and Eamon Sullivan all delivered when it mattered most. It figures this foursome can be quicker, but the Aussie Trials will be hotly contested and it is far from a given the relay will be the same.

For one, all eyes will be on Ian Thorpe to see if he can rekindle the magic of the past and qualify for another Olympics both individually and in relay duty. If Thorpe can demonstrate his best sprinting performances to date, he'll surely be a factor and could make the Aussie relay even more impressive. Meanwhile, James Roberts is a rising force.

So, our question to the readers is this: What do you expect from Australia in the 400 free relay? Do you expect this relay to capture gold in London, or will it be another country?

**We had some quality discussion over those deemed as locks to represent the United States at the 2012 Olympic Games in London. One name that was brought up in the chatter was Brendan Hansen, and here is my take on the return of the former world-record holder and world champion.

Based on what we saw from Hansen at Nationals, and without a lengthy training period, I wholeheartedly believe he'll qualify for a third Olympiad. He's mentally fresh, hungry and – obviously – immensely talented. It can be argued that Hansen is needed in the breaststroke as much as any individual in a singular event.

**Wanted to get some discussion going on all-time finals, so over the next several weeks, we'll ask readers to put together historical eight-person championship finals in specific events. Fill out the field based on the greatest swimmers in history and post it in the comments section.

This Week: Men's and Women's 200 Backstroke.

The Lohn Lineup (Alphabetical order): Rick Carey; Lenny Krayzelburg; Ryan Lochte; Roland Matthes; John Naber; Aaron Peirsol; Igor Polyansky; Martin Zubero.

The Lohn Lineup (Alphabetical order): Susan Atwood; Melissa Belote; Kirsty Coventry; Krisztina Egerszegi; Margaret Hoelzer; Diana Mocanu; Karen Muir; Satoko Tanaka.

While several names were no-brainers when it came to the selection process, filling out the lineups made for some incredibly difficult decisions. On the women's side, particularly, the chore was agonizing, especially with the need to factor in systematic doping. As a result, I'm fully expecting some disagreement from our readership. Then again, healthy debate is always a good thing.

**I'll be anxious to see the results of the Pan-Am Games next month, but a few individuals stand out in terms of eagerness over their efforts. On the women's side, the three women who will capture my attention most will be Elizabeth Pelton (100 backstroke/ 200 backstroke), Rachel Bootsma (100 back) and Julia Smit (200 IM/400 IM). For the men, the most interest surrounds Conor Dwyer (200 IM/400 IM). These individuals are among the most likely to challenge for Olympic berths.

Follow John Lohn on Twitter: @JohnLohn

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