Olympic Preview: Women’s 100 Freestyle

By John Lohn

CRANBURY, New Jersey, June 24. THE end is in sight. Including this week, only six events remain in SwimmingWorldMagazine.com’s Olympic Preview Series. It’s been a lengthy run, one that started several months ago. This week, we take a look at the women’s 100 freestyle, this wrapping up our look at the freestyle events on the female side.

Historical Perspective

Defending Champion: Jodie Henry (Australia) – 53.84.
World-Record Holder: Libby Trickett (Australia) – 52.88.
Most Titles: United States (Eight) – Ethelda Bleibtrey (1920); Ethel Lackie (1924); Albina Osipowich (1928); Helene Madison (1932); Jan Henne (1968); Sandra Neilson (1972); Carrie Steinseifer (1984); Nancy Hogshead (1984).
Notable: Due to injury, defending Olympic champion Jodie Henry of Australia did not get the chance to compete at her Trials and, therefore, will not get the chance to repeat her title. However, the possibility of an Australian keeping the medal Down Under is quite strong with Libby Trickett and Cate Campbell on the scene.

Here’s a look at the leading contenders

Libby Trickett:
The reigning world champion went sub-53 for the first time in 2007 and repeated the feat at the Australian Trials, where she set the world record at 52.88. While she figures to be pushed, Lenton is the definitive favorite in the two-lap freestyle. It’s one of three events in which she could mine individual gold, along with the 50 free and 100 butterfly.

Cate Campbell:
The rising star on the international sprint scene, Campbell is the other Australian entered in the 100 free. Originally known for her speed in the 50 free, Campbell has become equally efficient in the 100 distance. Earlier this year, Campbell clocked in at 53.30 and a performance in the sub-53 range is within reach.

Britta Steffen:
The German is the former world-record holder and in April produced a career-best effort of 53.20. Like Campbell, dipping into 52-second territory is hardly out of the question and such a performance would certainly put Steffen in the chase for the gold medal. She’ll also be in the mix in the 50 free.

Natalie Coughlin:
One of a number of American women who will chase an individual berth to Beijing at next week’s U.S. Trials, Coughlin is the leading challenger for gold from the United States. Coughlin is the American-record holder at 53.39, posted in May, and a faster showing is probably just a handful of days away. If Coughlin negotiates the U.S. Trials successfully, a medal in China is very much a possibility.

Other Americans:
Because the U.S. Trials are nearly upon us, we’re going to take a quick glance at the other U.S. contenders for Beijing. Kara Lynn Joyce is looking for her second Olympic invitation and Amanda Weir is a former American-record holder, having been 53-mid. The ageless Dara Torres also deserves a look, along with Katie Hoff, the do-everything girl. Also keep an eye on Jessica Hardy, whose sprinting has caught up to her 100 breaststroke excellence.

Marleen Veldhuis:
The Dutch star won the silver medal at the World Championships in Melbourne last year. Veldhuis has been 53.67 this year and could be faster in Beijing, a requirement if she wants to win a medal. Veldhuis will play a key role in the Netherlands’ search for a medal in the 400 free relay.

Inge Dekker:
The other Dutch standout, Dekker has been a regular fixture on the international stage and qualifying for the final is within reach. She clocked a time of 53.77 earlier this year to rank among the top-10 performers in the world. A medal is more likely in relay action than in this individual event.

Erica Morningstar:
The Canadian stalwart had a major breakthrough at last year’s World Championships, where she finished in the fifth position. Morningstar nearly cracked the 54-second barrier in 2007, going a best of 54.08. If she can find some more speed, maybe Morningstar can be a darkhorse medalist.

Other Challengers:
A few other names to watch in China include France’s Malia Metella, who has been sub-54, and Great Britain youngster Francesca Halsall. Finland’s Hanna-Maria Seppala and China’s Pang Jiaying also have the ability to make some waves.

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