{"id":588676,"date":"2024-06-19T09:27:07","date_gmt":"2024-06-19T16:27:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/?p=588676"},"modified":"2024-06-19T09:27:07","modified_gmt":"2024-06-19T16:27:07","slug":"u-s-olympic-trials-jack-aikins-top-seed-in-200-back-destin-lasco-scratches","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/u-s-olympic-trials-jack-aikins-top-seed-in-200-back-destin-lasco-scratches\/","title":{"rendered":"U.S. Olympic Trials: Jack Aikins Top Seed in 200 Back; Destin Lasco Scratches"},"content":{"rendered":"

U.S. Olympic Trials: Jack Aikins Top Seed in 200 Back; Destin Lasco Scratches<\/strong><\/p>\n

The reputation of the American men\u2019s 200 backstroke program needs little introduction. The U.S. has brought home a medal from every Olympics since 1996 in the event \u2013 or, if you prefer longer than 64 of the 66 swimmers entered in that event Wednesday have been alive. The Tokyo Olympics was the first time since Barcelona that a man from a nation other than the U.S. stood atop the Olympic podium.<\/p>\n

That man, Russia\u2019s Evgeny Rylov<\/strong>, won\u2019t be in Paris. Which opens wide the door to renewed American dominance.<\/p>\n

Jack Aikins<\/strong> looks set to be a part of that, leading the way in prelims at U.S. Olympic Trials, setting the top time in the morning at 1:56.24. Ryan Murphy<\/strong> eased to third, with Keaton Jones<\/strong> in second.<\/p>\n