When Katie Hoff made the Olympics in 2004, she was young, inexperienced, and got overwhelmed. Since then she's dominated swimming in America, done well globally, and in 2008 she has been overwhelmed - again. To me, she just looks the part of the nervous girl, constantly re-adjusting her goggles and plastering them to her face before races, taking deep breaths, etc. You don't see this out of Coughlin, Phelps, Piersol, and the list goes on and on. How is she going to perform at the highest level if she's a nervous wreck before races?
She was the prohibitive favorite in the IM's, and one of few favorites in the 2, 4, and 8 Freestyles. She got 4th, 3rd, 4th, 2nd, and an FTQ, respectively. We should all be so fortunate to be that good, but from a US Swimming standpoint, I think this has to go down as a disappointing performace. The only thing saving her (media-wise) is Phelps. Otherwise she'd have been the spotlight athlete. She was even mentioned as having a chance for 5 golds. She's failed to meet expectations. And it's a common occurrence in US women's swimming since the '88 games. Jenny Thompson comes to mind.
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Choke? Outside ofthe 800 free, she has swam best times or right on her best times. She can't control how fast the other girls are swimming and they are swimming outstanding.
Why do people think that it is a choke when someone is actually swimming ok but not winning?? I don't get that one. Yea, she is probably disappointed but her swims have been ok...not like she hasn't medaled or finaled in most of her events.
Choke? Outside ofthe 800 free, she has swam best times or right on her best times. She can't control how fast the other girls are swimming and they are swimming outstanding.
Why do people think that it is a choke when someone is actually swimming ok but not winning?? I don't get that one. Yea, she is probably disappointed but her swims have been ok...not like she hasn't medaled or finaled in most of her events.
