2012 Olympic Trials: Omaha?

RE: 2012 Olympic Trials: Omaha?

Former Member — Sat, 17 Jan 2009 08:04:41 GMT

any ideas on the time standards ? I think they'll probably base the standards on summer nationals/World Champ trials this summer. They used the 2005 summer nationals for entry standards last time.

RE: 2012 Olympic Trials: Omaha?

knelson — Sat, 17 Jan 2009 01:41:50 GMT

What is the logic behind having the Olympic Trials so close to the Olympics? I think the most compelling reason is you get the swimmers on the team who are swimming the fastest at that time. Have the Trials six months before and you get the swimmers who were the fastest then. Things change.

RE: 2012 Olympic Trials: Omaha?

Former Member — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 17:14:17 GMT

So they push swimming almost 2 weeks later than originally planned. They didn't turn around drug tests fast enough in 2008 to avoid the Jessica Hardy problem from impacting the roster. Will they handle this better next time?

RE: 2012 Olympic Trials: Omaha?

aquageek — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 12:47:08 GMT

Speaking of Hardy, what's the latest on her case?

RE: 2012 Olympic Trials: Omaha?

pwolf66 — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 12:27:47 GMT

While I am very happy to hear that Omaha is hosting trials again, I am astounded that the window between trials and the Olympics is even shorter now. Wasn't one of the major goals of the USOC to increase the gap between the two, to provide some buffer space? (D2 paragraph)If that was the case, then why make what appears to me to be a huge concession for Omaha to host it again. Yes, I understand that Omaha did a fantastic job but I'm sure that other cities, seeing the boost that Trials brought to Omaha, would love to have a crack at it.

RE: 2012 Olympic Trials: Omaha?

Former Member — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 10:36:25 GMT

Hot dang! I, for one, am glad to have it return to Omaha. Had a great time last summer and plan to return in 2012 GLW&TCDR....

RE: 2012 Olympic Trials: Omaha?

chowmi — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 08:38:18 GMT

Speaking for the Chow clan, we are very likely to go. My sister says it was great swimming spectating (sp?) and in other attractions, the Omaha zoo gets 2 thumbs up. There is a millipede with the body the size of a hot dog. I wonder if it will still be alive in 2012, or if we might see Son of Hot Dog Millipede.

RE: 2012 Olympic Trials: Omaha?

Former Member — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 06:54:20 GMT

There are really only 2 ways to do it if the team is chosen based upon performance at one meet: conduct trials during the same training/competition season as the Olympics or conduct them during a separate training/competition season. There are pros and cons to each and I'm sure we could all come up with examples of past successes and failures doing it either way. USA Swimming has done it the first way (same season) for a number of Olympiads in a row now. Some U.S. swimmers have gone faster in the Olympics than at Trials and some have gone slower. I don't really think we can complain much about the overall results, however. Given the same season approach, I personally think that a smaller window between Trials and Olympics will be in the swimmers' best interest. There is really not enough time to do another hard training cycle if there is 4-6 weeks in between. So, 3-4 weeks seems ideal. The team can rest physically and mentally from the stresses of Trials and at the same time continue specific race prep work to stay sharp or sharpen up more. Other than some maintenance work, the horse is already in the barn as far as aerobic training is concerned. I look to the performances of so many of the pros at the World Cup SCM events as evidence that athletes can swim fast over many weeks' time and even get better throughout this type of competitive season.

RE: 2012 Olympic Trials: Omaha?

Former Member — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 06:34:34 GMT

any ideas on the time standards ?

RE: 2012 Olympic Trials: Omaha?

SLOmmafan — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 05:10:14 GMT

I think having trials close to the Olympics helps create an overall build up and buzz. Let's face it, there is about a 2 month window of opportunity (building too and after the games) in which the public will have interest in swimming. The trials will be well watched in 2012 simply because people want to see Michael Phelps come back once again and dominate, or fall completely flat and create buzz that way. And while I understand Omaha is a great sports town and good to work with as far as events go, why doesn't USA swimming try and capitalize on the celebrity of Phelps and stick the thing in the Staples Center or the MGM Grand Arena in Vegas.

RE: 2012 Olympic Trials: Omaha?

Doug Adamavich — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 01:53:22 GMT

What is the logic behind having the Olympic Trials so close to the Olympics? I never really understood it, wouldn't it be better for the swimmers (and coaches) to have a longer gap between the two? Spring would make more logical sense to me, after NCAAs and all that is over. Do any coaches or swimmers out there (especially elite-level) have any thoughts on this? What are the relative pros and cons of timing the Trials so close to the Games?

RE: 2012 Olympic Trials: Omaha?

tjrpatt — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 01:27:49 GMT

If it is going to be two weeks later, Katie Hoff might have another disappointing Olympics. Let's hope that she can overcome the even ridiculously gap between the Olympics and Trials. I do not want to see any more sour puss expressions from her in London. The Trials should be in April like in Australian. Hello, remember the amazing performance of Stephanie Rice at Beijing.