Now by the time most of you read this the finals will be over but ... Keller had the slowest split, OBVIOUSLY Phelps (& I'm guessing Lochte) are a done deal ... Vanderkaay put up a 1:46.67 leading off followed by Jayme Cramer's 1:47.97, David Walters 1:47.75 & Keller's 1:48.60 ...
Do you take a total rookie? Slightly more experience with Cramer, or a struggling but veteran Keller? Personally I say give the rookie a shot, who knows what he'll put up next year.
My prediction: Phelps, Lochte, Vanderkaay, & Cramer
I'd like to see ... Phelps, Lochte, Vanderkaay & Walters ...
In the old days (60s and 70s), we went 1-2-3 and it was never boring. FINA and the IOC made the "2 swimmers per event only" rule just for the USA, to make certain other countries were able to take home medals.
I believe I heard Rowdy Gaines make a great argument recently during a televised event (it was probably ~a year ago). I think it was for something like the 200 fly where the USA was at the time 1-2-3 ranked in the world. The argument was something along the lines of the two swimmers is all well and good, but in a case where the top three ranked swimmers are all from the same country, it just doesn't make sense and isn't fair to the sport.
I tend to agree with him.
Also, would prevent people like Duje D., formerly of Croatia, from defecting to Qatar. Not like he couldn't make their team, but think of all the americans who could just as easily do the same thing.
In the old days (60s and 70s), we went 1-2-3 and it was never boring. FINA and the IOC made the "2 swimmers per event only" rule just for the USA, to make certain other countries were able to take home medals.
I believe I heard Rowdy Gaines make a great argument recently during a televised event (it was probably ~a year ago). I think it was for something like the 200 fly where the USA was at the time 1-2-3 ranked in the world. The argument was something along the lines of the two swimmers is all well and good, but in a case where the top three ranked swimmers are all from the same country, it just doesn't make sense and isn't fair to the sport.
I tend to agree with him.
Also, would prevent people like Duje D., formerly of Croatia, from defecting to Qatar. Not like he couldn't make their team, but think of all the americans who could just as easily do the same thing.
