We now have just over a month before the open World Champs at Melbourne. What will we see there, more records? I believe that this is a 'statement' champs, not least of which the Aussies in the wake of the retirement of Ian Thorpe. Will the Chinese unveil some unknown superstars? Kitajima, according to the Swimming World website feels that he is returning to form, can he challenge Hansen (& how many little dolphin kicks he hide in his dive?).
What do you see on the horizon? Time to venture some predictions.
I say the we will see Park from Korea start to push Grant Hackett, with a view to getting in his head for 2008. Will Phelps shock and awe his opponents?
Let's hear from you...
Warren:
The selection meet for the 2007 World Championships was the 2006 Conoco Phillips Nationals that were held on August 1-5, 2006. What is unusual about this is that the 2 swimmers selected from the trials meet were not necessarily guaranteed spots on the World Championship team. At the 2006 Pan Pac meet in Canada, the USA could have up to 3 additional swimmers in the qualifing heats and if they beat the 2 swimmers selected by the team in the Nationals/trails they would be eligible to swim in the World Championships. You could actually not place better but do the best time from the Pan Pac meet and beat out the top two swimmers of the Nationals/Trials or from the semi finals and still make the team in that event. Jessica Hardy is an example of this in being the 3rd fastest breaststroker from the USA in the semi finals and then in the consolation beating the top two from the USA to make the team. Another example is that Natalie Coughlin won the 100 Fly at Nationals and elected not to swim it at the Pan Pacs. Oppuntunities were there for 2 or more swimmers to post a better time than hers and make the team. No one did that so she is still on the team in the 100 Fly.
I don't ever remember a qualifing meet set up like this. Usually the top two at the Trails meet go and if one swimmers decides to scratch then the next swimmer moves up. Years ago it used to be 3 swimmers. I think not having a World Championship Trials meet was a good decision this year because the meet starts in the middle of March and it would have conflicted with the NCAA Championships and USA Grand Prix events which would not be helpful to any of the swimmers because they would be tired after a long trials meet and the travel accross the world and they might have not performed adequately because of the lack of rest and to many meets.
Warren:
The selection meet for the 2007 World Championships was the 2006 Conoco Phillips Nationals that were held on August 1-5, 2006. What is unusual about this is that the 2 swimmers selected from the trials meet were not necessarily guaranteed spots on the World Championship team. At the 2006 Pan Pac meet in Canada, the USA could have up to 3 additional swimmers in the qualifing heats and if they beat the 2 swimmers selected by the team in the Nationals/trails they would be eligible to swim in the World Championships. You could actually not place better but do the best time from the Pan Pac meet and beat out the top two swimmers of the Nationals/Trials or from the semi finals and still make the team in that event. Jessica Hardy is an example of this in being the 3rd fastest breaststroker from the USA in the semi finals and then in the consolation beating the top two from the USA to make the team. Another example is that Natalie Coughlin won the 100 Fly at Nationals and elected not to swim it at the Pan Pacs. Oppuntunities were there for 2 or more swimmers to post a better time than hers and make the team. No one did that so she is still on the team in the 100 Fly.
I don't ever remember a qualifing meet set up like this. Usually the top two at the Trails meet go and if one swimmers decides to scratch then the next swimmer moves up. Years ago it used to be 3 swimmers. I think not having a World Championship Trials meet was a good decision this year because the meet starts in the middle of March and it would have conflicted with the NCAA Championships and USA Grand Prix events which would not be helpful to any of the swimmers because they would be tired after a long trials meet and the travel accross the world and they might have not performed adequately because of the lack of rest and to many meets.
