Olympic Preview: Men’s 50 Freestyle

By John Lohn

CRANBURY, New Jersey, March 25. AMONG the most intriguing events at this summer's Olympic Games in Beijing will be the men's 50-meter freestyle. The event has been taken to a different level in recent months, thanks to the likes of Eamon Sullivan and Alain Bernard. More, the event doesn't even compare to what it was at the 2004 Olympics in Athens, when only two men cracked the 22-second barrier.

When the fastest men in the world gather in China this summer, barely dipping under 22 seconds will hardly – so it seems – get a sniff of a medal. Heck, it might not even get a place in the championship final. Yes, the one-lap sprint has gotten that fast, and all indications suggest it will continue to get faster.

Historical Perspective

Defending: Gary Hall Jr. (United States) – 21.93.
World-Record Holder: Alain Bernard (France) – 21.50.
Most Titles: United States (Four) – Matt Biondi (1988); Anthony Ervin (2000); Gary Hall Jr. (2000/2004).
Notable: At the beginning of this year, Alex Popov, the great Russian sprinter, was the world-record holder at 21.64. Now, the two-time Olympic champion is the third-fastest man in history, trailing France's Alain Bernard (21.50) and Australian Eamon Sullivan (21.51). Look for the legendary Popov to be bumped down a few more slots.

Here's a look at the leading medal contenders in the event.

Alain Bernard:
The discussion now starts with the newly-minted world-record holder. At the European Championships, the Frenchman set world records in the 50 and 100 freestyle events, etching himself as the gold-medal favorite in Beijing. Bernard popped his global standard of 21.50 during the semifinals at the European Champs and has dropped major time in the past few years. Once on the outside of the elite, Bernard is the man to beat.

Eamon Sullivan:
Although his record has been wiped out by Alain Bernard, Sullivan was briefly the world-record holder, courtesy of a 21.56 clocking earlier this year. The Australian was fifth at last year's World Championships, but he's clearly elevated his performance level. Sullivan is exactly what the Aussie men needed, a young star who can carry the nation's sprint banner for years to come.

A look at the American contingent, which features a number of individuals who will battle for a spot in Omaha.

Ben Wildman-Tobriner:
The reigning world champion, the American put his stamp on the international scene when he prevailed at last year's World Champs. Wildman-Tobriner ranked second in the world in 2007 with a best time of 21.80, produced at the U.S. Nationals. If BTW can negotiate the U.S. Trials, he'll be an undoubted medal contender.

Cullen Jones:
The American was the fastest man in the world in 2006 and he ranked third in 2007 with a best effort of 21.82. Like Wildman-Tobriner, Jones will first be forced to wade through the gut-wrenching U.S. Trials. The 2006 Pan Pacific champ, Jones was the silver medalist at the 2007 World Championships.

Gary Hall Jr.:
The two-time defending champ doesn't exactly sizzle on the international stage in between Olympic outings. But, Hall has long been known to rise to the occasion and can't be counted out, even if the event is rapidly speeding up. While Hall may not be considered a favorite as in past years, he's wowed before and, though it will be a test, can do it again.

Garrett Weber-Gale:
The University of Texas product threw his name into the equation when he delivered a time of 21.93 at the All-American Invitational. By becoming a member of the sub-22 club, Weber-Gale opened some eyes and should be a force at the American Trials. Don't be surprised if his 21.9 is just the start of quicker things to come.

Nick Brunelli:
The Arizona State product posted a best time of 22.01 last year, good for the seventh-fastest performance of 2007. Brunelli has come back from shoulder surgery in impressive fashion, but to be in the mix for a spot on Team USA and for a medal in Beijing, he'll have to cut time well into the 21-second range.

Matt Grevers:
Out of Northwestern and now training in Arizona, Grevers' star might be rising faster than any other American. He has had dynamite showings in recent meets in the 50, 100 and 200 freestyles, along with the 100 fly. Grevers has been 22.01 in the 50 free this year and has the potential to drop into the 21-second realm.

Back to the international ranks.

Cesar Cielo:
The Auburn star is the fastest man in history in the 50-yard free and he's the reigning Pan American Games titlist. Cielo, the defending NCAA champ in the 50 and 100 freestyles, produced a best time of 21.84 in 2007. The Brazilian was sixth at the World Champs last year and an appearance in the Olympic final is likely.

Stefan Nystrand:
Sweden's best hope for a medal in the sprint freestyles, Nystrand was ranked No. 5 in the world last year with a best swim of 21.93. At the World Champs, he took home the bronze medal. While Nystrand is an elite 50 freestyler, his best chance at a medal might be in the 100 free, where he ranked No. 1 in 2007.

Roland Schoeman:
You can't discount the South African, the man who was the bronze medalist in the 50 free in Athens in 2004. Schoeman was seventh at the World Champs last year, but he was the world champ in 2005 and has a career-best time of 21.69. If Schoeman can find that form from three years ago, he'll be a force to deal with.

Duje Draganja:
The original run of this piece inadvertently omitted Draganja. The silver medalist in the event in Athens, the Croatian deserves a look. He was the silver medalist at the European Champs, going 21.94 in the semifinals and 22.00 in the final. Perhaps his efforts in Eindhoven suggest there is more speed to come.

Other Contenders:
Among the other names that could push for a spot in the final are Poland's Bart Kizierowski, sixth in the world in 2007. Also keep an eye on the French duo of Fred Bousquet and Fabien Gilot, although both are unlikely to qualify in the event with Alain Bernard a near lock to be one of his nation's two representatives. That leaves just one spot available.

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