The Week That Was: U.S. Olympic Swimming Trials Dominate The Week

Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick

Editorial Coverage Sponsored By FINIS

This week was one of triumph and heartbreak in Omaha, with the city playing host to a record-breaking U.S. Olympic Swimming Trials. But while the U.S. Trials tore up the world rankings, the single world record of the week came down under from one of the heaviest favorites for gold in Rio. Read about all the action from this week below!

The Week That Was #5 – 31 Qualify At U.S. Paralympic Trials

Photo Courtesy: Kevin McCarthy

The USOC announced the addition of 31 swimmers to the 2016 U.S. Paralympic roster. That list includes 21 women and 10 men that own 39 world records (both short course and long course), and 39 Paralympic medals. Among that roster is 12-time paralympic medalist Jessica Long, who will be representing the United States in her fourth Paralympic Games along with teammates Rudy Garcia-Tolson and Cody Bureau. That trio has represented the U.S. at the 2004, 2008, 2012, and now the 2016 Paralympics. Over 400 athletes competed at the 2016 U.S. Paralympic Swimming Trials, which ran from Thursday June 30 through Saturday July 2 in Greensboro, NC. The Paralympic Games will run from September 7th to September 18th, and will feature more than 4,500 athletes from 176 different nations.

For all the stories from the 2016 U.S. Paralympic Swimming Trials, including recaps, results, and athlete interviews, head over to our Event Landing Page.

The Week That Was #4 – U.S. Veterans Locked Out Of Rio

Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick

This year’s U.S. Olympic Swimming Trials served somewhat as a changing of the guard of the U.S. Olympic Team, with many National Team veterans falling short of qualifying for the Olympic Team. Notable of those were the list of reigning Olympic gold medalists from the 2012 Games in London who won’t be in Rio to defend their titles. Tyler Clary (200 backstroke) and Matt Grevers (100 backstroke) will not defend their respective backstroke titles in Rio after both finishing third in their events in Omaha. And while Ryan Lochte and Missy Franklin are both members of the U.S. Olympic contingent going to Rio, neither qualified individually in events where they mined gold in 2012 (Lochte in the 400 IM, Franklin in the 100 backstroke).

Additionally, 2012 Trials Champions Breeja Larson, Jessica Hardy, and Caitlin Leverenz finished outside of qualifying for Rio. Natalie Coughlin missed out on what would have been her fourth Olympic Games after finishing 8th in the 100 backstroke and failing to advance out of the semi-final of the 100 freestyle. While there were still 28 first-time Olympians out of 2012 Trials (there are 29 first-timers in 2016), what’s notable are the big names that were knocked off of the podium and denied a chance at Rio.

The Week That Was #3 – Michael Phelps Qualifies For Record Fifth Olympics

Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick

While many veteran fell short of making the Olympic Team, 31-year old Michael Phelps was able to qualify for a record fifth straight Olympic Games. That sets a record among American male swimmers for the most Olympics qualified for, and ties with Dara Torres’ 5 Olympic Games appearances among all swimmers. Swimming in what was a more limited schedule than usual for the Greatest Olympian of All-Time, Phelps officially made his fifth team in his pet event, the 200 butterfly. With his new son Boomer in the crowd with fiance Nicole Johnson and mother Debbie, the world record holder posted a time of 1:54.84 to win the event. Out fast in 53.07 (only .29 off his world record pace of 52.88), Phelps fell off the pace a bit in the second 100 to finish well outside of his world record time. Following the race, the five-time Olympian said he that although he wasn’t thrilled with the time, he was excited to use the next four weeks to continue to prepare for Rio. Phelps also qualified by grabbing first in the 200 IM (1:55.99) over Ryan Lochte and topped a loaded field to win the 100 butterfly (51.00). Phelps also publicly said these were his last races on U.S. soil, and that this is officially his last Olympics.

The Week That Was #2 – New Faces Dominate At U.S. Trials

Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick

While the U.S. Olympic Swimming Trials is known as the meet where anything can happen, this year’s meet was one of the most thrilling in recent history. Over half of the possible event titles went to first time Olympians, with a healthy share of second place qualifiers also making their first Olympic Team. The first indication came in the very first event of the meet, where Chase Kalisz and Jay Litherland touched 1-2 to qualify for their first Olympic Games and lock out defending champion Ryan Lochte. As stated above, time and time again the meet saw new stars bar defending Olympic champions or previous Trials champions from qualifying, giving the U.S. Olympic Team 29 first-time Olympians when all was said and done. To put in perspective how dominating the new faces were at Trials, the list of events where the top two finishers were first-time Olympians includes the following: men’s 400 IM, women’s 100 backstroke, men’s 100 backstroke, men’s 200 backstroke, women’s 200 IM, women’s 100 breaststroke, women’s 200 breaststroke, men’s 100 breaststroke, men’s 200 breaststroke, women’s 100 freestyle, and the women’s 50 freestyle. Four of those events featured a defending Olympic gold medalist.

For full coverage of U.S. Olympic Swimming Trials, including full session recaps, interviews, press conferences, and results on our Event Landing Page.

The Week That Was #1 – Cate Campbell Sets New World Mark In 100 Freestyle

Photo Courtesy: Swimming Australia

While the U.S. Olympic Swimming Trials took center stage this week, perhaps the biggest story to come out of this week was Cate Campbell’s surprise world record in the 100 freestyle. Competing in the Australian Grand Prix as part of the Rio Farewell Tour, the Aussie sprint superstar clipped Britta Steffen’s 2009 world record by .01 to record the fastest 100-meter freestyle in history. Going out in 24.87 to her feet, the 24 year old touched in 52.06 to clip Steffen’s record of 52.07 from the 2009 World Championships in Rome. Campbell’s previous season best had been a 52.38 from the Aussie Olympic Trials back in April, which was just a hair over her previous lifetime best. She also won the 50 freestyle earlier in the meet, hitting the wall in 24.04, roughly two-tenths of a second off her world leading time in that event. Already considered a favorite in the 100 freestyle, this swim confirms Australia’s dominance in the freestyle sprints and makes an even stronger case for them being favorites in the 4 x 100 freestyle relay. Campbell is joined by her sister Bronte (52.58) and Emma McKeon (52.80) in the under-53 club. For reference, no American woman has been under 53.00 in the 100 freestyle.

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Dunc1952

7 years ago

Timing can be interesting.

Campbell breaks world record this week in 100 LCM Freestyle.

Until Swede Sarah Sjostrom swam :53.12 at the PSS Austin stop in January of this year, the US Open record for fastest swim by any athlete on US soil was :53.30 by this same Cate Campbell EIGHT YEARS AGO as a 16 year old in a great race with Natalie Coughlin at the Santa Clara International Grand Prix.

Now, in the same week Campbell breaks the WR, an American finally surpasses, on US soil, Campbell’s 2008 swim, with a :53.28 from Weitzeil, who was third behind Sjostrom’s swim in Austin at :54.00.

Both Abbey and Simone have been on a good improvement inclines for several years. Best wishes to both of them and their potential relay teammates in Rio. The Olympics, especially relays, can be particularly interesting and surprising, particularly where, as is potentially the case here, every leg is solid and even more so where at least one member hits their life race at the right time (Lezak, Babashoff, etc.) Go USA. Further, much as Eddie R. has regularly over time applied magic dust on his Men’s relays (hopefully he can send along some of his supply since he apparently declined to formally join the Men’s staff}, Women’s coach Dave Marsh has had a similar ability to create .atmosphere resulting in inspired relay performances beyond what might normally be seen. It will be fun to watch.