By John Lohn<\/p>\n
CRANBURY, New Jersey, April 1. This week's installment of SwimmingWorldMagazine.com's<\/b> Olympic Preview Series, the 15th in a 32-week package, takes a look at the women's 200 individual medley. The event has changed dramatically in recent days, thanks to Australian Stephanie Rice setting a world record at her Olympic Trials. But Katie Hoff and Kirsty Coventry will be major factors in the chase for the gold medal. The event is very much a have-and-have-not discipline, with a limited number of legitimate medal threats.<\/p>\n
Historical Perspective<\/b><\/p>\n
Defending Champion:<\/b> Yana Klochkova (Ukraine) \u2013 2:11.14.
\nWorld-Record Holder:<\/b> Stephanie Rice (Australia) \u2013 2:08.92.
\nMost Titles:<\/b> United States (Two) \u2013 Claudia Kolb (1968); Tracy Caulkins (1984); Ukraine (Two) \u2013 Yana Klochkova (2000\/2004).
\nNotable:<\/b> The gold and silver medalists from the last Olympics, Yana Klochkova and Amanda Beard, will likely not be in the medal race in Beijing. Klochkova didn't look sharp at the recent European Champs and doesn't seem to have what it takes for a podium spot. As for Beard, she's trying to get into form to qualify in the 200 breaststroke, a difficult enough task.<\/p>\n
Here's a look at the leading contenders.<\/p>\n
Stephanie Rice:<\/b>
\nThe 19-year-old was nothing short of sensational at last week's Australian Olympic Trials, as she took down the drug-tainted world record of Wu Yanyan with a clocking of 2:08.92. That record performance followed her global standard in the 400 individual medley. Rice has obviously made major strides since last year's World Championships in Melbourne, where she was the bronze medalist in both medley disciplines. In the 200 IM, she has sliced off 2.50 seconds in a year and has become one of the biggest names in Aussie swimming, right there with Libby Lenton, Leisel Jones and Jessicah Schipper.<\/p>\n
Katie Hoff:<\/b>
\nThe two-time defending world champion and third-fastest performer in history, don't be surprised if Hoff has the world record in this event by the time the Olympics roll around. The North Baltimore Aquatic Club star can do it all and will likely be the female face of the Beijing Games. Last year, Hoff ranked No. 1 in the world with a best time of 2:10.13 and her 2008 season has gotten off to a superb start. Hoff has the ability to win gold in China in both medley events, along with the 200, 400 and 800 freestyles.<\/p>\n
Kirsty Coventry:<\/b>
\nFour years ago, Coventry earned a bronze medal in the 200 IM at the Athens Games. Earlier this year at the Missouri Grand Prix, the Zimbabwe standout produced a time of 2:10.08, currently the second-fastest of the season. She was the silver medalist at the World Champs in 2007 and will attack an arduous schedule in Beijing, one that will include both backstroke events and the 400 IM.<\/p>\n
Yana Klochkova:<\/b>
\nWe mentioned the two-time defending champion at the beginning of this piece and indicated that she has considerable work ahead to challenge for a medal. Still, it's not like Klochkova is washed up and unable to make the final. She had a best time of 2:12.16 at the Paris International Meet last year.<\/p>\n
Alicia Coutts:<\/b>
\nBecause she was swimming in a championship final that featured Stephanie Rice's world record, the Aussie's swim of 2:11.87 last week was lost in the shuffle. It's unlikely that Coutts will battle for a medal, but a spot in the final is certainly within reach. <\/p>\n
European Flavor:<\/b>
\nA trio of European athletes could manage their way to berths in the championship final. Spain's Mireia Belmonte went 2:11.16 at the European Champs recently and looks to have the biggest upside of the three to be mentioned here. Meanwhile, Hungary's Evelyn Verraszto (2:12.93) and Poland's Katarzyna Baranowska (2:12.53) have been sub-2:13 in the last year. <\/p>\n
Other Americans:<\/b>
\nThe second-fastest American in history is Whitney Myers, who was 2:10.11 in 2006. The University of Arizona product, fourth at the World Champs last year, has the talent to return to that level. Then there's two-time Olympian Kaitline Sandeno, who was 2:12.13 at the World University Games in 2007. Other Americans chasing a trip to Beijing are Ariana Kukors, probably a better threat in the 400 IM, and up-and-coming youngster Caitlin Leverenz, who was 2:12.32 at last summer's Nationals. Julia Smit also broke 2:13 last year, going 2:12.99 at Nationals.<\/p>\n
The athletes profiled in this preview have all dipped below 2:13 at some point in either 2007 or 2008, with the exception of Whitney Myers. However, Myers has been 2:10-low and undoubtedly deserved inclusion.<\/i><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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