Lochte may derail Phelps in the IM - but I would not bet on it after the 200 Back.
So then it's up to the 100 Fly, which may be close with Cavic now in the picture - but I saw Phelps going out pretty easy and still almost getting him.
So then the Medley Relay is always a lock for the US - maybe not this time:
Peirsol will probably drop another record or get close.
Hansen will have a lead - but he is not exactly Mr. Confidence right now + *** and Fly are a little scary swimming from the front.
Phelps in the Fly - not sure about Phelps in a relay. I don't think he has ever had to swim a fast relay leg. But my guess is that he will be fast - he is the man.
Lezak in the Free - maybe the best Free anchor out there
- Japan looks good until the Fly and Freestyle
- I think Russia and Great Britain have a hole in the end. France has no Backstroker
- What about the Aussies ? Maybe 0.5 sec out in the Back, then the Breaststroker as good as Hansen on paper. The Flier just dropped to a 51.2 and then it's Lezak against Sullivan.
Here is a complete hypothetical situation that can't really happen. But since we are posing "what if's"...
Let's just say that Phelps and Crocker both go blazing fast times in the 100 fly for 1-2. For argument's sake, let's say they even tie. And let's say the coaches go with the notion that Phelps gets the nod for the free leg over Lezak because of his American record (47.51). Obviously this discredits Lezak's anchor the other day - that is why this situation doesn't really work. Anyway, so then you have Phelps anchoring the medley relay: and he goes in and has to hold off or catch Sullivan for his 8th gold! Talk about drama made for TV!
Here is a complete hypothetical situation that can't really happen. But since we are posing "what if's"...
Let's just say that Phelps and Crocker both go blazing fast times in the 100 fly for 1-2. For argument's sake, let's say they even tie. And let's say the coaches go with the notion that Phelps gets the nod for the free leg over Lezak because of his American record (47.51). Obviously this discredits Lezak's anchor the other day - that is why this situation doesn't really work. Anyway, so then you have Phelps anchoring the medley relay: and he goes in and has to hold off or catch Sullivan for his 8th gold! Talk about drama made for TV!
