Olympic Preview: Women’s 100 Breaststroke

By John Lohn

CRANBURY, New Jersey, May 27. WE'RE getting closer. In less than three months, new Olympic champions will be crowned in Beijing and so many questions that have arisen over the past four years will have been answered. Today, SwimmingWorldMagazine.com continues its 32-week Olympic Preview Series with a look at the women's 100 breaststroke.

Historical Perspective

Defending Champion: Luo Xuejuan (China) – 1:06.64.
World-Record Holder: Leisel Jones (Australia) – 1:05.09.
Most Titles: United States (Two) – Catherine Carr (1972); Megan Quann (2000); East Germany (Two) – Hannelore Anke (1976); Ute Geweniger (1980).
Notable: China's Luo Xuejuan will not defend her Olympic crown, having opted for retirement last year at the recommendation of doctors. Luo entered retirement due to a heart condition that threatened her health if she pushed through with training for the 2008 Olympic Games in her homeland.

Here's a look at the leading medal contenders.

Leisel Jones: As is the case with the 200 breaststroke, the gold-medal discussion for the 100 breast focuses on the Australian standout. The two-time defending world champion was the bronze medalist at the 2004 Olympics in Athens. She had redefined the breaststroke, evidenced by her world record of 1:05.09. When Jones is in peak form, she seems unbeatable. A place on the podium is a near lock and anything less than the top spot would be surprising.

Tarnee White: Lethal Leisel isn't the only Aussie star in the breaststroke, thanks to a breakthrough performance by White at her Olympic Trials. White nearly cracked the 1:06 barrier at Trials, where she produced an effort of 1:06.04. A repeat showing would place White firmly in the medal mix.

The American Arsenal:

Jessica Hardy: The American-record holder at 1:06.20, Hardy has enjoyed a sensational tuneup season. Not only has she delivered in the 100 breast, Hardy has established herself as a contender for Olympic bids in the 50 and 100 freestyles. In the 100 breast, Hardy went 1:06.37 at the Speedo Grand Challenge and appears poised to dip into the 1:05 range in the near future.

Rebecca Soni: At last summer's U.S. Nationals, Soni claimed victory in both breaststroke events. That summer also featured a 1:06.94 effort at the Japan International, a sign that she has the speed to go with the endurance she's displayed in the 200 breast. If Soni can advance beyond the gauntlet that is the U.S. Trials, she'll be a medal challenger.

Megan Jendrick: In her last Olympic appearance, Jendrick (then Megan Quann) captured the gold medal at the 2000 Games in Sydney. Eight years later, Jendrick is stalking her second medal opportunity in the 100 breast and has proven tremendous durability as a star performer for a decade. Jendrick won the silver medal in the 200 breast at last year's World Championships and was 1:07.19 in her fastest 100 effort. Look for Jendrick to pop a career best at the U.S. Trials and be a factor for a medal in Beijing if she punches her ticket – a certain possibility.

Tara Kirk: Last year, the Stanford alum was the top-ranked American, behind a swim of 1:06.34. A longtime staple on the international scene, Kirk has been in the 1:06-range this season and will be among the top contenders in this loaded discipline at the American Trials. It may be a broken record, but if Kirk gets out of the U.S., she'll be a medal hopeful.

Amanda Beard: Until recently, Beard didn't seem to have the firepower to make a run in this event for Beijing. But, Beard produced a quality 200 breaststroke at the Santa Clara Grand Prix and might be rounding into form just in time to stamp a fourth Olympic invitation. While the 200 breast is a better fit for Beard, she can't be counted out in an event in which she's medaled on the Olympic stage before.

Back to the International Contenders

Sarah Poewe: The German, by way of South Africa, delivered a strong showing at her National Champs in April. There, Poewe touched the wall in 1:07.10, among the best times in the world this year. However, if Poewe possesses any thoughts of earning a medal, she'll have to slice some tenths off that effort.

British Duo: Great Britain will have a pair of solid breaststrokers entered in Beijing. At the British Trials, Haywood posted a time of 1:07.56 to earn her place in China. Haywood was seventh at last year's World Championships. The other slot will be occupied by Kirsty Balfour, fifth at the 2007 World Champs and also a qualifier in the 200 breast.

Other Challengers: Japan's top entry is Nanaka Tamura, who checked in at 1:07.58 at the Japanese Trials. She'll be joined in the fight for a championship-heat berth by the Ukraine's Anna Khlistunova, fifth at last year's World Champs, and Canada's Annamay Pierse, who has been sub-1:08.

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