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.
Former Member
I just do not see Phelps winning 400 free, does anyone even think it is possible?And I would have to say : "aussies" are right about claiming that event to be theirs, because it really is!
I'd love to see Phelps take down Hackett in the 400 free. That would just kill the Aussies since they consider that one of "their" events. I think that the big disappointment of the meet will be the US women. Other than Katie Hoff in the IM's and perhaps Coughlin in the 100 back I don't think that there are any "guaranteed" medalists...I also wouldn't be surprised if either Kirsty Coventry or one of the Germans beats Coughlin in the 100 back...I also don't think that the US women will win any of the relays...
I think the 400 will go like this...Hackett takes an early lead; Phelps maintains contact through the first 200; Phelps pulls even at the 300 mark, but Hackett guts it out the last 100 and gets a close win. Hackett is such a tough competitor. I was impressed by his win in the 1500 this summer when he wasn't 100% and he was being pushed by 2 young, hungry tigers who had him on the ropes.
I do not doubt that Phelps has the potential to win the 100 and the 400. He won the 100 at trials over some pretty stiff competition. And while he raced the 200 free at the Olympics b/c he wanted to go up against the best in the world I don't think he or Bowman would add those events to his repitore (sp?) if they didn't think he could win them.
I wouldn't be surprised if Hackett won the 400 either.
In terms of the women, Heather (great name!) I agree with you. Though Natalie is darn competitive and I think she's been working really hard since trials to get back to her Olympic form. But overall I think the women will be a disappointment sans Katie Hoff who I think will hand the world it's butt on a platter. She is amazing and I think she'll be even faster at Worlds ... a new 200IM WR perhaps?
Vollmer is on the World University Games team which for her may be a blessing in disguise since she will get to swim more events (100-200 free, 50-100 fly, relays) as opposed to just a relay berth...
True ... I was thinking about the teams last night and wondering if the American women really will be a disappointment. I THINK many of the Aussies took some time off or aren't even swimming. The Brits took time off.
I think Natalie is too competitive to not be working her butt off until Worlds. I think Hoff will continue to be phenomenal. I think Descenza's in a groove. At this point I think the Americans might be in the same boat as much of the rest of the world, though that in and of itself might be a disappointment.
