My heart goes out to Katie Hoff. In Athens, she was not able to do as well as she could. Now here in Beijing, same thing. She can and has shown she is a world beater, a world record holder but she is having an off time in Beijing. I hope she doesnt give up swimming.
Apparently Leisel Jones seriously considered giving up swimming after Athens because of not being able to get that elusive gold in Sydney or at Athens.
But she didnt and history was written.
I hope that Katie will continue, but I hope she shortens her programme next time so that she can take sure gold in some events rather than attempt a "Michael Phelps."
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I've heard it said that the timing of OTs was dictated by NCAAs (they didn't want the two meets close to one another). I wish I could call BS on that but I know a guy who was probably top 10 in the country in his event back in 2000 and his college coach wouldn't let him go to OTs because they were so close to NCAAs. Maybe this guy was a longshot at best but you never know. How many others were or would be put in similar situations if trials were closer to NCAAs?
This might be true but I'm not sure it makes sense. Many of the international swimmers are NCAA swimmers too. Their home countries had their trials far in advance of the Olympics.
The more elite swimmers here might be a better judge of this but I think the double taper required over 5 weeks has to be difficult for some to manage.
I've heard it said that the timing of OTs was dictated by NCAAs (they didn't want the two meets close to one another). I wish I could call BS on that but I know a guy who was probably top 10 in the country in his event back in 2000 and his college coach wouldn't let him go to OTs because they were so close to NCAAs. Maybe this guy was a longshot at best but you never know. How many others were or would be put in similar situations if trials were closer to NCAAs?
This might be true but I'm not sure it makes sense. Many of the international swimmers are NCAA swimmers too. Their home countries had their trials far in advance of the Olympics.
The more elite swimmers here might be a better judge of this but I think the double taper required over 5 weeks has to be difficult for some to manage.
