I am starting to think this event is going to be nothing more than another episode of the Michael Phelps show; not that there is anything really wrong with that, I think he is a great person in and out of the pool. What sucks is that Thorpe and now Hoogenband have pulled out of the event. It's kind of like a high school party when your good friends can't make it but all of the boring types manange to show. You still have fun but you know in the back of your mind that you are missing something. Just wanted to vent some frustration.
I would, of course, like to see all the top swimmers attend, but I always look at these off-olympic year champs as a chance to see what new wunder-swimmers will emerge & quite frankly, hold my breath (& I'm not even swimming backstroke at this moment, Karen) to see if Montreal pulls off a successful meet (considering all that has happened, including tragedy, leading up to this meet).
I agree with Peter. While it's unfortuante that some of the top competitors will not be there, it will be a great opportunity for some otherwise unknowns to announce their arrival on the world stage. It will give the underdogs a chance at doing better than they might have with the top athletes taking all the top spots. It should be interesting to watch how well some of the up and comings are going to do.
I'm with Lindsay...I think it'll be a stretch for Phelps to win the 100 and 400 frees, and he'll have another battle with Crocker in the 100 fly. If he doesn't win gold in these three events, unfortunately his meet will probably be labeled a "failure" even though he may swim lifetime bests in all his events. I think he's got guts for swimming "off" events, particularly the 400.
The press was calling him a failure when he got bronze in the 200 free at the Olympics. To get 3rd in the Olympics in your 6th best event is not at all a failure. Phelps had the most insane schedule at the Olympics and prevailed at the IMs and flys. The media never stated that the 200 free was one of his worst events. At the worlds, I think that he could have a shot at the 100 and 400 free. I am sure that he worked alot of his frees since then. If he gets seconds in these events, it will still be amazing. Go Phelps.
Phelps said in a recent interview that swimming with the Wolverine's has greatly increased his freestyle yardage and technique. Apparently he had ignored free to a certain extent while at NBAC.
Bummer that Hoogie is out, too. I am sure this too will turn into the Michael Phelps show. But really, he's pretty darn talented so ...
I can't wait for the men's breaststroke events either.
I HOPE that some part of this is televised, even if it's at 2 am.
Is it really a safe assumption that Phelps will win the 400 free? His time at trials would have got him 7th place at the Olympics 4.4s behind Grant Hackett. His 100m free time at trials would have placed him sixth. I expect he'll improve his times I'm not sure it's a safe bet that he'll win either event. I also wouldn't count out Crocker in the 100 Fly. Michael has his work cut out for him.
That is shame for she has been focusing on school work and apearences and all of that for the home town girl that won gold and smashed a 17 year record with her fellow relay members...and getting back in the grind of swimming....
I know this young lady and she will be a factor in the future....trust me!
