Olympic Preview: Men’s 400 Medley Relay

By John Lohn

CRANBURY, New Jersey, April 22. THE SwimmingWorldMagazine.com Olympic Preview Series rolls along this week with the men's 400 medley relay. As was the case with the female event, many relay spots remain up in the air. So, we'll do our best to throw out the possible scenarios that exist and suggest how it could all unfold.

Historical Perspective

Defending Champion: United States (Peirsol, Hansen, Crocker, Lezak) – 3:30.68.
World-Record Holder: United States (Peirsol, Hansen, Crocker, Lezak) – 3:30.68.
Most Titles: United States – Eleven (1960, 1964, 1968, 1972, 1976, 1984, 1988, 1992, 1996, 2000, 2004).
Notable: The only year the United States hasn't won the Olympic title in the event was 1980, when the USA boycotted the Games. That year, Australia captured the gold medal.

Here's a look at the leading contenders.

United States:
When you've dominated the event the way the Americans have over the years, the discussion must start with the Red, White and Blue. The United States could package all sorts of combinations for the relay and surge to the gold medal. The question is, which combo will take to the blocks.

For the backstroke, Aaron Peirsol and Ryan Lochte are the obvious favorites for the leg, although Dave Cromwell and Randall Bal will try to grab berths to Beijing. With Peirsol, the world-record holder, the USA has a sub-53 man who undoubtedly would give the relay the lead. If it's Lochte, he's another guy who has sub-53 potential. Put it this way, there will be no problem with the backstroke leg.

For the breaststroke, Brendan Hansen is nearly a lock for the leg. The world-record holder in the 100 and 200 breaststrokes, Hansen has the ability to split something in the 58-second range. He would then turn things over to either Ian Crocker or Michael Phelps, the best in the business in the fly. Crocker is the world-record holder and has history's fastest fly split. As for Phelps, he's the defending Olympic and world champ in the 100 fly.

The freestyle leg is a bit of a question. If Crocker goes the fly leg, that makes Phelps available for the anchor position. It would not be surprising to see him on the end, although other names in the mix include veteran Jason Lezak, Garrett Weber-Gale, Nathan Adrian, Matt Grevers and Nick Brunelli, among others.

Australia:
Prospects for the Aussies were elevated at their Olympic Trials, as a number of stellar swims made the Guys from Down Under medal hopefuls. Ashley Delaney has been 53.68 in the 100 backstroke (Hayden Stoeckel might have a chance at the leg) and will be followed by Brenton Rickard, who has etched himself as a top breaststroker. Andrew Lauterstein broke the 52-second barrier in March and will be formidable on the fly leg, which leads into Eamon Sullivan and his superb sprint talents. If Sullivan is within striking distance of second and third when he dives in, consider the Aussies good to go for the podium.

Russia:
At the World Short Course Championships, Russia claimed the gold medal. Whether they can remain a major force at the Games remains to be seen. Arkady Vyatchanin has been among the premier backstrokers for several years and will give the Russians a solid start. Look for Grigory Falko to handle the breast leg, though he'll have a difficult time staying with the top names. Evgeni Korotyshkin is the favorite for the fly leg (he's been sub-52) and Evgeni Lagunov is a possibility on the end of the relay.

Japan:
The Japanese had the best time in the world last year and will be a leading medal contender. The backstroke belongs to Tomomi Morita, a man who has been sub-54. The strongest leg, of course, is the breaststroke, where Kosuke Kitajima can dip under 59 seconds. Newly crowned national-record holder Masayuki Kishida is a sub-52 butterflyer. The problem for Japan is the lack of a standout on the anchor leg. The Japanese could be sitting second after three legs and fade out of medal contention on the freestyle.

Great Britain:
The British squad has to be feeling good after their impressive Olympic Trials. Liam Tancock is one of the best backstrokers in the world and Chris Cook appears headed for the breaststroke leg coming off a sub-minute effort. Michael Rock was 52-low in the fly at Trials. The question is the freestyle leg. Without a stud performer, the free leg could be dooming.

South Africa:
While the South Africans are known for their 400 free relay, which won gold in Athens, they'll have a pretty solid medley relay. Gerhard Zandberg on the backstroke and Cameron Van Der Burgh in the breaststroke will take care of the first half of the relay. It looks like Lyndon Ferns will be the butterfly choice with Roland Schoeman powering home on the freestyle leg.

Canada:
It looks like the Canadians could make a run at the final, though they'll need something better than 54-high from Matt Hawes on the backstroke leg. Mike Brown and Matthieu Bois are the breaststroke options and Joe Bartoch is the likely handler of the fly leg. Canada's strength is in the freestyle, where Brent Hayden is a world-class performer.

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