Editorial Coverage Sponsored By FINIS
By David Rieder
Hungary’s Laszlo Cseh won the world title (1:53.48) last year, and he holds the world’s top time this year (1:52.91) by more than a second. Chad le Clos of South Africa was the silver medalist (1:53.68) at Worlds in Kazan, and was the upset Olympic gold medalist four years ago over American Michael Phelps.
And Phelps?—he looked terrible on the last lap of his 200 fly at U.S. Olympic Trials last month, splitting the sixth slowest split (31.90) of the field. He still won, but faded to 1:54.84.
Then there’s the image of Phelps blasting a 1:52.94 at Nationals last year, just months into his comeback, and it’s hard not to think that, at 100 percent, the most decorated Olympian of all time will be ready for anything that comes his way—especially for his final Olympics.
TALK ON DECK
- Can Phelps put together the 1:52-mid that he’ll need to win the gold medal? At U.S. Trials, he seemed to have it all figured out except the last 50.
- Cseh has won five Olympic medals over the past three Olympiads, all of them silver or bronze. Of course, Phelps won gold in all five of those races. Could this finally be Cseh’s opportunity to come out on top?
- Will le Clos make any comments to the media about Phelps before the race? The two have been bantering back and forth since le Clos edged Phelps for gold in the 200 fly four years ago. However, they have not raced head-to-head in the pool since London!
PREDICTIONS
Gold: Michael Phelps, USA
Silver: Laszlo Cseh, Hungary
Bronze: Chad le Clos, South Africa
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Does anyone really think Phelps was close to being tapered at Olympic Trials? He could have won the 100 & 200 fly in his sleep. I’m looking forward to him crushing the competition.
I’m sure he’s still mad at losing this in London so no way will he lose it this time.
No way.Maybe,maybe he could possibly have a chance in 100 fly,but no way in 200 imho.
Hope your prediction is wrong!No one better deserves to win than Cseh László!! Go Laci!!!
Obviously they’d put Phelps first and chad 3rd. Americans writing articles…
Думаю, что очень много шума вокруг Фелпса. Большая вероятность, что старичок сольёт олимпиаду. Запомните этот пост.
Go Champ
Can’t wait to see him compete again?
I’m so glad! ?
Phelps gonna do it !!!
You think? Shayaan Ali?
Maris Lencevics any predictions?
Aiden Smith
I saw that 200 fly at Us Nats last year with my own two eyes!!! It was incredible! He was so stoked after… Hitting them water, spraying water out of his mouth… The worlds were going on and he had just beat their times!