Also, I don't really see how this makes for stronger 800 free relay, unless you're thinking 3 less 200 races will allow him to be fresher for the relay.
As I believe others have stated, the 200 free prelims are the same day as the 4x100 free relay. Dropping the 200 will keep him fresher for the relay.
Edit: Let me correct that slightly. It's semis, not prelims. On 29 July the men's 200 free semifinals run two events before the men's 4x100 free relay final. The men's 100 *** finals are sandwiched between the two, so there would not a lot of time to recover from the 200 before swimming the relay.
Also, I don't really see how this makes for stronger 800 free relay, unless you're thinking 3 less 200 races will allow him to be fresher for the relay.
As I believe others have stated, the 200 free prelims are the same day as the 4x100 free relay. Dropping the 200 will keep him fresher for the relay.
Edit: Let me correct that slightly. It's semis, not prelims. On 29 July the men's 200 free semifinals run two events before the men's 4x100 free relay final. The men's 100 *** finals are sandwiched between the two, so there would not a lot of time to recover from the 200 before swimming the relay.
