Who Will Fill in for Michael Phelps This Summer?

Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick

By Jason Tillotson, Swimming World College Intern.

After Dave Durden and Greg Meehan were bestowed the honor of coaching the American squads at the 2017 FINA World Aquatics Championships in Budapest, Hungary this summer, we were reminded that these championships are almost right around the corner.

With that, this summer we will see a few notable names absent from the national team roster. Among those names will be none other than, Michael Phelps. The greatest of all time, barring any last-minute comebacks, will not be seen racing this summer in Budapest. However big of a disappointment that may be, it calls for some new talent to step in. Phelps left some enormous shoes to fill (literally and figuratively, since he wore a size 14). So, who will be the one to fill them?

Photo Courtesy: Jeremy Brevard – USA TODAY Sports Images

One of the many names that comes to mind is Tom Shields who, especially after his superb Short Course World Championship performance, solidified his name in the “who is the best butterflyer in the world right now” conversation. Winning three silvers in all three butterfly events in Windsor was no easy achievement. Those performances, in addition to winning gold in Rio as a part of the 4×100 Medley Relay and blasting a 43.84 in the 100-yard butterfly at US winter nationals, demonstrate that Shields can go stroke-for-stroke with the worlds’ best, and come out on top.

Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick

Jack Conger is another young-gun that has proven his ability to hang with the G.O.A.T himself. After his 51.64 in the 100-meter butterfly from The Austin Pro-Swim in January of 2015, Conger was one to watch out for. Despite finishing fourth behind Phelps, Shields and Seth Stubblefield in that event in Omaha, Conger was still able to secure a 4×200 freestyle relay spot via his third place finish in the 200-meter freestyle. His speed in the butterfly events and versatility in the freestyle events may help Conger in stepping into Phelps’ famous relay positions.

One area of Phelps’ expertise we may never see replaced is the Individual Medley. Both Phelps and Ryan Lochte had a strangle-hold on both the IM events. For example, all of the top-ten performances in the 200-meter IM, belong to Phelps and Lochte (six for Phelps and four for Lochte). Despite Lochte claiming ownership of the World Record, Phelps has managed to win gold in the 200 IM at every Olympic Games since 2004, making his spot in this event come with a lot of expectation.

Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick

In terms of who will take his place in the 200 IM, in Omaha David Nolan was the closest finisher behind Phelps and Lochte, but he was almost three seconds behind the dynamic duo. Nolan is, however, the American Record holder in the short-course yard version of the event and is still the only man to have gone under 1:40 in history, perhaps his speed can secure his spot in replacing Phelps in the shorter of the two IM events.

Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick

Chase Kalisz is perhaps the most suitable American IMer to replace Phelps, especially in the 400 IM. On top of his 400 IM trials victory in Omaha and silver medal in Rio, Kalisz is the only American, who still swims the event, that holds a spot in the top-ten performances of all time. Kalisz also holds the American record in the short-course yards 400 IM, with a time almost two seconds faster than anything Phelps ever posted.

There may never come a time where Phelps will ever truly be replaced or removed from the record books, or even our hearts. However, at least some will valiantly attempt to match the times and medal counts of the most decorated Olympian of all time.

All commentaries are the opinion of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Swimming World Magazine nor its staff.

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21 Comments

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Pat Kennedy

7 years ago

I agree with Halim, no one will ever duplicate what MP has accomplished for our sport. Miss Katie Ledecky will be that dominant athlete for USA swimming for years to come

Halim Yussuf

7 years ago

The answer is simple, no one can fill in for Michael Phelps.

Orlando De La Torre

7 years ago

THERE’S ONLY ONE MICHAEL PHELPS!

Taylor Charles

7 years ago

Me. I can. ??

Dayan A Manathunga

7 years ago

No one!

Thomas Inwood

7 years ago

You’re all correct – no one can fill those shoes !

Bobbi Vasquez

7 years ago

He will be hard to beat ??

Gero

7 years ago

I think the comments are heading in a difference way what the author tried to discuss.
Who will fill the butterfly and IM spots at Team USA after Phelps retired. Not who will replace him(he’s retired no need to replace him) or who will success him(this we shall wait).
200 IM beside Nolan, Prenot, Licon, MA are all interesting to watch.
200 fly other than Conger, Clark, Seliskar also have a chance.

Musfiq Quliyev

7 years ago

No one…..

Admin

David Rieder - Senior Writer

7 years ago

Good work here, Jason. The one that interests me the most is the 100 fly, especially with the British being pretty close to the Americans in Rio with a very-subpar backstroke leg. (56.7 breast split is sure helpful.) Shields, obviously, looks like the top candidate, but overcoming a big deficit after breaststroke is tough — unless you’re Phelps.

As for the 200 IM, I think there’s more depth here than it might seem. Josh Prenot and Will Licon both scratched the IM at Trials, knowing that they had no chance of beating MP and RL and that the 200 breast final was that night. Based on their SCY times, both can do some good things in that. Kalisz scratched, too. Could be one of the more interesting races of WCT.

Nima Nasiri

7 years ago

????

Kyle Starling

7 years ago

Probably no one….that’s what made it greatness. But if there was someone capable it would be either Ryan Murphy or Caeleb Dressel. However, Katie Ledecky may end up on top when all is said and done.

Thomas A. Small

7 years ago

There is no one sorry to say

Alan Bruce Gresham

7 years ago

Noel Murphy is my bet!

Karen Fisher

7 years ago

We will miss him but he went out correctly ON TOP

Jeff stokes

7 years ago

we have plenty of depth unlike 2013……

Ken Henry

7 years ago

Boomer

Vanessa Brown

7 years ago

No one , he is swim king.

Coach Susanna

7 years ago

What about the kid, and I do mean kid, who just broke one od his records this month? I can’t think of his name. …And yes, no one else will be quite like Michael Phelps, but it was time. Let the man who inspired such a rise in swimming– the hero who inspired one of my five year old swimmers to learn fly overnight, almost a decade ago– go out with his head held high. He made the right choice. Besides, he’s got a kid. Let the man be with his family without the world breathing down his neck for a while! He’ll be back to coach the next generation when he’s ready. It’s in his blood, now.

Swim Giggles LLC

7 years ago

It’s going to be strange not seeing Phelps this summer, but we do look forward to his continued role as ambassador and seeing the new talent emerge. 🙂

Cate

7 years ago

Reply to Swim Giggles LLC

He didn’t swim the last 2 world championships either so it shouldn’t be that strange.