Agreed, from an all-around perspective; there are certainly specialists who might be more talented in a narrower range, but no one, not even Missy, brings the breadth of talent.
My concern with Phelps is that part of what made him dominant was his extraordinary capacity built from doing all those events. I think an 'easier' program may not turn out to be so 'easy' to win. We'll see.
I've never actually seen Phelps swim in person, so this is cool. I really hope he's in the 100 fly as I'd love to watch him live. The 50 free should be exciting enough, but that race all happens so quickly that I rarely feel like I can learn anything from it (other than reinforcing that I'll probably never swim a great 50 in my life).
I really hope that Ledecky and Schmitt will go head-to-head (hopefully) in both the 200 and 400.
Can't wait to see the psych sheets and see what other international swimmers and younger, fast swimmers will be there.
This was a great, star-packed meet last year and I'm looking forward to being at at least 4 of the 6 sessions.
It's GREAT for the sport. chowsh was meh about going to watch this year...until PHELPS announces un-retirement (disretirement?) and yours truly's favorite sister will be barging on the will call window for her prepaid tickets at the mesa grand prix!
This generation has made swimming fun to watch. Even for nonswimmers.
IMO, he should train for the 100/200 free and 100/200 fly and have so much fun not traing for a zillion events and every stroke. He should pull a Natalie (she seems to focus only on the 50 free and is having tremendous success, and I think it's also easier to transition to the 100 free as well come the trials) and focus on the 100/200 to get on the Olympic team in a relay, and bonus if he gets 1 or 2 in the fly to make it as well. It's just so so so tough to get a 1st or 2nd....but perhaps better chance to gut his way (if necessary) onto the relays. I would think training is fun because he as nothing to lose, nothing to defend, and it might be nice to train as if knock someone else out rather than defending or racking up a certain medal count. Focusing on relays would be fun since it takes the pressure off of an individual swim, but then if he does make indiv, to put all the effort he's accustomed to into just a few indiv events. Then again, also to watch for pockets of opportunity if any of his events have a weak opening (uh, that would be relative, of course!!!)that he just has to take advantage of.
It's GREAT for the sport. chowsh was meh about going to watch this year...until PHELPS announces un-retirement (disretirement?) and yours truly's favorite sister will be barging on the will call window for her prepaid tickets at the mesa grand prix!Why isn't she officiating?
pwb is your daughter swimming in the GP?
I haven't applied to officiate at national level events cause I'm not N2 qualified cause I think the qualifying process is too much commitment for me. oh yeah, and I plan to be snapping away with my camera at the GP :D
I think MP is a shoo-in for 400 and 800 fr relays for rio. other events no gimme's. have other swimmers come close to his records since Beijing/London? what are his current times vs national and international elites? guess mesa GP will be his first chance to see where he stacks up now! agree with jeff that MP has nothing to prove and is swimming for "fun". should be a psychological advantage for him for Omaha/rio 2016...!
I haven't applied to officiate at national level events cause I'm not N2 qualified cause I think the qualifying process is too much commitment for me.I totally agree. Next year, though, you should do what I do and line up a volunteer timing spot!
I think MP is a shoo-in for 400 and 800 fr relays for rio. other events no gimme's. I'd agree with you. The 100 fly, as well, and, if he'd swim it, the 200 fly. I have no hope of seeing him ever do a 400 IM again, but I'd still like to see him in the 200 IM (even moreso than the 200 fly).
Phelps isn’t the only one making a comeback, of sorts, at this meet. Katie Hoff has been swimming some local meets in south Florida, however this will be her first meet back to major national-level competition since the 2012 Olympic Trials. swimswam.com/.../
Go Katie!
