I know it's early and there's many races to go but --- wanted to ask the experienced swimmers here what they think of Lochte's performance so far.
Is he trying to do too much and swim too many events? I thought he'd medal every event he was in but it looks like he was out of the hardware awards in the 200 freestyle.
Also --- a general question: What's the purpose of the "warm-down" pool? Is it significantly warmer than the main long-course pool? Does it just promote greater relaxation? Is it a usual fixture at major competitions?
Thanks.
AJD
I think he swimming very well so far. A lot of people thought that he would never beat Phelps at the Olympics if they swam head to head in the IM and Free events and he did that in a big way. He has been the best swimmer in the World for the last 3 years and he has a lot of pressure to prove that he will be this year.
With that being said, I really did not think he would win the 200 Free and I picked Yannick Agnel in my predictions for my Olympic pool because he had the fastest time so far this year and both Lochte and Phelps did not come close to what he swam in the 1:44 range at the Olympic Trials. Because of what Angel did in the relay I figured Ryan would be fighting for 2nd with Sun and Park. He was only beaten to the wall by less than a tenth of a second and it was commented by Rowdy Gaines that if he would have charged the wall at the finish he might have been in the medal position.
Sure he is disappointed in the relay but Yannick Angel had the fastest 100 Free split in these Olympics. Also his 1:43.14 is almost a second faster than when Phelps swam that 1:43,86 textile time inn 2007. This guy is a monster and he reminds me of Paul Bierdmann when he was hot in 2009 breaking the 400 Free World Record and then having a showdown with Phelps in the 200. I did not think Phelps would beat Biedermann back then based on that 400 swim and I think Angel will win the 100 Free tomorrow.
Which brings up and interesting question of WHO is going to be swimming the 4th spot on the relay tonight. I think Phelps should do it because he has never done it and he was the fastest at trials and would love to see him against Yannick Angel since we did not get to see him swim that event.
As regards to Lochte he still has the 200 Back & 200 IM double and if he can win those and set World Records in each of them, he will be remembered as having a great Olympics with 4 Gold medals.
I think he swimming very well so far. A lot of people thought that he would never beat Phelps at the Olympics if they swam head to head in the IM and Free events and he did that in a big way. He has been the best swimmer in the World for the last 3 years and he has a lot of pressure to prove that he will be this year.
With that being said, I really did not think he would win the 200 Free and I picked Yannick Agnel in my predictions for my Olympic pool because he had the fastest time so far this year and both Lochte and Phelps did not come close to what he swam in the 1:44 range at the Olympic Trials. Because of what Angel did in the relay I figured Ryan would be fighting for 2nd with Sun and Park. He was only beaten to the wall by less than a tenth of a second and it was commented by Rowdy Gaines that if he would have charged the wall at the finish he might have been in the medal position.
Sure he is disappointed in the relay but Yannick Angel had the fastest 100 Free split in these Olympics. Also his 1:43.14 is almost a second faster than when Phelps swam that 1:43,86 textile time inn 2007. This guy is a monster and he reminds me of Paul Bierdmann when he was hot in 2009 breaking the 400 Free World Record and then having a showdown with Phelps in the 200. I did not think Phelps would beat Biedermann back then based on that 400 swim and I think Angel will win the 100 Free tomorrow.
Which brings up and interesting question of WHO is going to be swimming the 4th spot on the relay tonight. I think Phelps should do it because he has never done it and he was the fastest at trials and would love to see him against Yannick Angel since we did not get to see him swim that event.
As regards to Lochte he still has the 200 Back & 200 IM double and if he can win those and set World Records in each of them, he will be remembered as having a great Olympics with 4 Gold medals.
