Given that we've had 2 consecutive ridiculous gold medal hauls by Mr. Phelps and 1 in the past by Mr. Spitz, when will we see a similar feat by a female swimmer? Why haven't we in the past? Is there somehow more parity in women's swimming?
I would submit that we might have seen 6 or more golds in one Olympics from Tracy Caulkins in 1980 if not for the boycott. And, we might have seen it from Shirley Babashoff in 1976 if not for the East German women.
The only current contender I could see is Libby Trickett. She won 5 golds at the 2007 Worlds. She had a great Olympics by most standards, but didn't approach her Worlds gold medal haul. There are other multi-talented women out there (Coughlin, Hoff, Coventry, Rice), but none have attacked that kind of schedule successfully so far.
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Good stuff.
I was just kidding about Bernard and Cavic. Of course, the relay strength is essential. But it's also true that Phelps would have had 6 golds and 2 silvers if not for Bernard's (swimming on Lezak's lane line) and Cavic's (bad finish with head up) mistakes.
Hoch's point about only a woman from US or Australia having a legitimate shot is true, I think. That's why I favor Trickett. She could conceivable win all 3 relay golds, plus 50-100-200 free and 100 fly, for a total of 7. The problem is, by 2012 Cate Campbell will probably have passed her by permanently in the 50 and 100.
The problem with Hoff winning so many golds is that she doesn't swim 100's. I doubt she would ever be on all 3 relays, unless she becomes top 2 for Americans in the 100 free.
Good stuff.
I was just kidding about Bernard and Cavic. Of course, the relay strength is essential. But it's also true that Phelps would have had 6 golds and 2 silvers if not for Bernard's (swimming on Lezak's lane line) and Cavic's (bad finish with head up) mistakes.
Hoch's point about only a woman from US or Australia having a legitimate shot is true, I think. That's why I favor Trickett. She could conceivable win all 3 relay golds, plus 50-100-200 free and 100 fly, for a total of 7. The problem is, by 2012 Cate Campbell will probably have passed her by permanently in the 50 and 100.
The problem with Hoff winning so many golds is that she doesn't swim 100's. I doubt she would ever be on all 3 relays, unless she becomes top 2 for Americans in the 100 free.
