Splashbacks: Olympic Features Highlight July-August 2016

It’s been another amazing year of aquatics competition, including the long-awaited Rio Olympics, and Swimming World had our readers covered every step of the way. During the next few days, we’ll take a look back in “Splashbacks”, the most read stories of 2016.

The months of July and August 2016 witnessed not only the tail-end of the U.S. Olympic Trials, but also the entirety of the Rio Olympic Games. Many of Swimming World’s most read articles for those two months were features on many of the USA’s top athletes, including Matt Grevers, Michael Phelps, and Katie Ledecky.

1. Losing Like An Olympic Champion

The Olympic Trials is a difficult meet when one considers the stakes. To qualify for the Olympic team an athlete has to finish first or second in their individual event to punch their ticket to the Games, which means that a large majority of the swimmers present won’t qualify. When 2012 Olympic gold medalist Matt Grevers finished third in the 100 back finals, thereby failing to make the Olympic team, he did so with the grace of an Olympic champion.

2. Cupping Therapy: Demystifying the Circular Bruises

Cupping therapy made it’s appearance on the grand stage as the internet all but exploded with individuals trying to figure out what the circular bruises on Michael Phelps’ body was. Swimming World brought back an article about the subject from the archives to help demystify the strange bruises.

3. Emotional Journey For Katie Ledecky Ends in Rio

Katie Ledecky continued to produce awe-inspiring swims this past summer while in Rio de Janeiro, sweeping the women’s individual 200, 400, and 800 freestyles. With that sweep Ledecky became only the second woman to do so in history, right behind fellow American Debbie Meyer.

4. In a Hurt of Pain, Michael Phelps Smiled

Michael Phelps entered Rio already crowned with the title of Greatest Olympian of All Time, but while there he further cemented it. With a dominating win in the men’s 200 individual medley, Phelps became the only man to win four straight golds in the same event. Although he told the media that he was “in a hurt of pain,” the GOAT smiled.

5. Lilly King, Michael Phelps Speak Loudly About Doping At The Olympics

While doping was one of the larger topics of conversation leading up to the Olympic Games, much of it came to a head when gold medalists Lilly King and Michael Phelps spoke out about doping in post-race press conferences.

6. Missy Franklin, Still Team USA’s Miss Sunshine

America’s “Golden Girl” from 2012, Missy Franklin, may have made the Team USA Olympic team, but she experienced none of the success that London brought her. Despite falling short of the finals in both the 200 free and 200 back, Franklin continued to smile and support her teammates while present in Rio.

7. Maya DiRado Announces Temporary Career Delay

Olympic rookie Maya DiRado quickly became a household name throughout the course of the Olympics. DiRado, who won a total of four medals, continually insisted that she would be retiring from swimming upon her return from Rio, but decided to postpone her work plans to complete a post-Olympic tour.

8. Missy Franklin Returning to Cal-Berkeley

While appearing on ABC’s Good Morning America, Missy Franklin announced that she would be returning to Cal-Berkeley to begin her training for the next Olympic quadrennial.

9. USOC and USA Swimming Release Statements on Ryan Lochte Mess

It what became known quickly across social media as “Lochte-Gate,” USA Swimming and the United States Olympic Committee released statements regarding an incident that took place in the early morning hours the day after the swimming competition had concluded. The incident, involving U.S. Olympians Ryan Lochte, Jimmy Feigen, Jack Conger, and Gunnar Bentz, continued to hover over news sites for the remainder of the Olympic Games.

10. 2016 Rio Olympic Games

One of the most visited places at Swimming World for the months of July and August was the 2016 Rio Olympic Home page. Here swimming enthusiasts of all ages can relive the daily coverage, read features from the Games, and view Swimming World’s Olympic photo galleries!

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