Lets have some real fun, Olympic predictions. I am starting with the men.
Phelps could win: My predictions for winning times:
100 fly 50.5
200 fly 1:52.5
200 backstroke 1:53.0
200 IM 1:54.0
400 IM 4:04.0
Medley relay USA
I have been following his improvement in breaststroke, he could also be world class in that stroke one day. A couple of 400 IMers are world class in the 200 ***, 2:12 or better. Phelps no longer looses ground to them
Phelps could also swim the 200 free, probably go 1:45.3 but I doubt that would win.
Also the 200 breaststroke will take a 2:07 to win There will be 3 swimmers below 2:10.
The 100 breaststroke will probably go at 58.2, but Moses has a 57.5 in him. All depends on how well he swims. There are at least 5 swimmers who could win the 100. Hardest thing in the world is to swim great on just one day out of many years of training.
Any more predictions from others? I am sure Swim Magazine will have their predictions out soon.
Women, the only prediction I have is the 200 breaststroke:
Amanda at 2:21.2 She is race hardened, she can swim well on any day of the week, any week. World Cup has moved her to another level.
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Thanks Left for getting the pot to simmer.
Crocker. (First, disclosure as a swimmer from NE I remember him as the skinny kid who set the NAG 200 free record and followed his career with interest).
As I stated above, this is Phelps greatest challenge. I think Phelps has a BETTER chance of defeating Peirsol in the 200 back then Crocker in the 100 fly. I think technically backstroke is Phelps best stroke and the 200 the right distance. I don't see him swimming a 1:53 but he will be 1:54 mid or low. Not sure that he can compete in the 100 back this time around but in 2008 wouldn't be surprised if we saw him swim 100/200 free, back and fly and win all six. That's assuming that he is still focused 100% on swimming.
US win the 800 free relay. I'd love it see it but unless Ian is taken up the 200 as a serious event, and if he does I'll be ever grateful to Eddie Reese, I don't see it. No one else on the horizon, except for Phelps and Croker has the potential to keep the US competitive with the Aussies. (Is Josh Davis still seriously training for the 200?).
I do think that Phelps will swim the 4 X 100 free relay but if Crocker beats him the 100 fly he's out of the relay because I'd be surprised if he makes the 100 back.
So...predictions..Phelps
2 silver (100 fly, 800 free relay) and 5 golds (200 fly, 200 im, 400 im, 200 back, 400 free relay-I do believe that Crocker will put the US over the top in that relay and Phelps will be one of the four).
Even if Crocker goes for the 200 free relay that still puts Phelps at 6 golds and not Spitz's 7.
So.. Crocker. 100 free/100 fly/400 free relay/400 medley relay/800 free relay...I don't see him getting more gold medals than Phelps. The 50 is a crap shoot and the 200 seems to me that Thorpe will be loaded for bear in that race and will be very tough to beat (1:43 anyone?).
Thanks Left for getting the pot to simmer.
Crocker. (First, disclosure as a swimmer from NE I remember him as the skinny kid who set the NAG 200 free record and followed his career with interest).
As I stated above, this is Phelps greatest challenge. I think Phelps has a BETTER chance of defeating Peirsol in the 200 back then Crocker in the 100 fly. I think technically backstroke is Phelps best stroke and the 200 the right distance. I don't see him swimming a 1:53 but he will be 1:54 mid or low. Not sure that he can compete in the 100 back this time around but in 2008 wouldn't be surprised if we saw him swim 100/200 free, back and fly and win all six. That's assuming that he is still focused 100% on swimming.
US win the 800 free relay. I'd love it see it but unless Ian is taken up the 200 as a serious event, and if he does I'll be ever grateful to Eddie Reese, I don't see it. No one else on the horizon, except for Phelps and Croker has the potential to keep the US competitive with the Aussies. (Is Josh Davis still seriously training for the 200?).
I do think that Phelps will swim the 4 X 100 free relay but if Crocker beats him the 100 fly he's out of the relay because I'd be surprised if he makes the 100 back.
So...predictions..Phelps
2 silver (100 fly, 800 free relay) and 5 golds (200 fly, 200 im, 400 im, 200 back, 400 free relay-I do believe that Crocker will put the US over the top in that relay and Phelps will be one of the four).
Even if Crocker goes for the 200 free relay that still puts Phelps at 6 golds and not Spitz's 7.
So.. Crocker. 100 free/100 fly/400 free relay/400 medley relay/800 free relay...I don't see him getting more gold medals than Phelps. The 50 is a crap shoot and the 200 seems to me that Thorpe will be loaded for bear in that race and will be very tough to beat (1:43 anyone?).
