{"id":138801,"date":"2015-06-23T10:37:22","date_gmt":"2015-06-23T17:37:22","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/?p=138801"},"modified":"2015-06-23T10:37:22","modified_gmt":"2015-06-23T17:37:22","slug":"swimming-world-performance-of-the-week-natalie-coughlin-50-backstroke","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/swimming-world-performance-of-the-week-natalie-coughlin-50-backstroke\/","title":{"rendered":"Swimming World Performance of the Week: Natalie Coughlin’s 50 Backstroke"},"content":{"rendered":"

Natalie Coughlin<\/strong> said a couple of years ago that freestyle is her new focus on the Road to Rio. She\u2019s done pretty well with that new strategy toward getting a fourth Olympic berth, but after setting an American record in the 50-meter backstroke in Santa Clara, we hope that she\u2019s giving serious thought to returning to backstroke.<\/p>\n

Coughlin swam a 27.51 in the 50 back in Santa Clara, breaking Rachel Bootsma\u2019s<\/strong> American record. Even Coughlin was surprised by the result<\/a>, considering backstroke is now a secondary stroke for the former 100 back world record holder. Many in the United States probably were excited when Coughlin said she was stepping away from backstroke. \u201cOne less person to worry about,\u201d many girls probably said.<\/p>\n

But she\u2019s dabbled in backstroke a lot in 2015, including a 1:00.08 in a 100 back time trial last month<\/a>. The focus for the remainder of the summer will be sprint freestyle, as Coughlin will swim the 50 and 100 free at the Pan American Games. But the success she\u2019s had in backstroke this year has to be rattling around in her mind as well.<\/p>\n

Coughlin didn\u2019t make the 2012 Olympic team in the 100 backstroke, denying her a chance to defend her 2008 title. But even her competitors can\u2019t deny that they would love to see her in the 100 back in Omaha next year. Coughlin adds a spark \u2013 and a sparkle \u2013 to every race, and her strong competitive fire could make the 100 backstroke a very thrilling race to watch next summer. That event comes before the 100 free, so it could be a \u201cgetting the cobwebs out\u201d swim that could turn into something amazing for Coughlin.<\/p>\n

Congratulations, Natalie Coughlin, on earning the Swimming World Performance of the Week!<\/p>\n

Natalie Coughlin sets 50 backstroke American record in Santa Clara<\/strong>
\n