That 200 IM was really exciting. I thought Kukors was going to do it. Oh, why did she take that short stroke at the finish?
That combined with the breath inside the flags did her in. If she had driven to the wall, she would have made it.
Looking at the splits in the IM, Coughlin's *** split was the exact same as Rice's when she broke the world record. It's the weakest leg for both but that wasn't Natalie's problem. She was out too fast in the fly. Her *** wasn't great but it was made to look worse than it was because Kukors and Hoff are such exceptional froggers.
it's helpful to print up heat sheets for each sessions event
then watch the NBCOlympics Live screen and omegatiming
looks like they are waiting till 7 to start the 200 ***
Spitz has been ALL over the place in terms of his comments on Phelps, too. I remember reading articles recently where he stated that he didn't think Phelps would be able to top his 7 golds ...
As for Crocker I find him VERY likeable. I'd love to see him go a 50 point low in finals and then a 49 at the games for the win. He seems like the greatest guy.
I think Crocker is a very likable guy. He (and Peirsol, Walker, Hansen) are active in Austin and great supporters of local swimmers - regardless of who they swim for.
As for Spitz - I think he is still a very proud man - and not the most graceful talker. I do think he knows better than anyone what kind of pressure, internal and external, Phelps feels as he prepares for Beijing. I'm finishing the new Spitz biography and I think Spitz was an intense and immensely gifted athlete. I think he is challenging Crocker to step up and swim to his ability on the big stage.
For those that say we should lay off the athletes - for many - YES. But the veterans, the professionals, the media seekers there is no reason for us to treat them especially gently. The public and the media will take their cues based on the athlete's character.
I know we've moved on, but I still can't get over Kukors in the 200IM. How many things did she do wrong at the end?!!!
She really blew it with that extra stroke. It actually looked like she had touched the wall with her right hand before she brought the left arm over.
Wow, Beard had a really good semifinal. No matter what, she can get it together for the 200 ***. Look at Megan Jendrick trying to get another spot on the team.
That is cool that Phelps and Lochte are good friends. I never had issues being friends with my competitors.
Her interview after the IM was ridiculous. "...when I'm so fast in all the strokes I should be the queen bee of the IM...."
I think you misinterpreted her intent. It just didn't come out very well. She IS great in every stroke (other than ***) so she SHOULD be good in IM. The part that was off-putting was the whole "I don't even know how to swim that race" stuff. Kind of demeaning to all the other swimmers who do know how to swim it, but still couldn't beat her.
A couple on collegeswimming.com are speculating she'll scratch the 200 IM for the Olympics. I'm skeptical, but we do know she doesn't like to overload on events.
