This is the kind of swim that the US men's team needed.
Special congratulations to Klete Keller and his anchor leg. It's not easy swimming anchor when you know Thorpe is bearing down on you. Keller kept his cool and held on for gold and a new American record.
Also must say that Klim had a good split. I was fooled, and so was swiminfo into thinking that they would go with Stevens rather than Klim. Experienced showed however and Klim did swim well.
When was the last time that the US won this race? (I remember 84 and Bruce Hayes and 88 but think the Russians won in 92 and Aussies in 96 and 2000).
Long live the "revival" of US middle distance swimming.
Former Member
Originally posted by Leonard Jansen
Interesting. There is talk in the track and field world about how the IOC, and especially the USOC, has let it be known that "showboating"/bad manners will be a very unhappy thing for those involved. Everyone does seem to have had a visit from Miss Manners at this Olympics, at least so far.
Take a look at Kitajima's celebration after the 100 ***. Looks like Miss Manner forgot to visit him.
Originally posted by seltzer
Take a look at Kitajima's celebration after the 100 ***. Looks like Miss Manner forgot to visit him.
I would argue that while he WAS rather loud, that it was not anywhere near the level of poor behavior exhibited by, say, the US 4X100 relay team (in track & field) in Sydney. Same for the US 4X200 yesterday - pure happiness. No harm; no foul.
-LBJ
I shouted out loud at the end. I was on the edge of my seat. I think Thorpe went out too fast in the first 50 and didn't have anything left for the final 50? And Keller never did seem to let Thorpe ahead. Just close. Very, very close. It was a great race to watch.
Any thoughts.
