Tyler Clary has been announced as the replacement for Michael Phelps as the other American entry, alongside Ryan Lochte, in the 200 IM for the United States at the 2015 World Championships in Kazan, Russia.
Clary confirmed today that he has been officially informed of the move by USA Swimming.
Clary was technically only the 4th-fastest American in the 200 IM in 2014 between Nationals and Pan Pacs with a 1:57.94. That swim, however, put him 3rd in finals behind only Phelps and Lochte, while Conor Dwyer’s 1:57.41 was done in prelims (he was slower in finals at 1:58.03). USA Swimming did not consider prelims times for World Championship selections.
Clary swam the event at the 2014 Pan Pac Championships in August, and placed 5th in the A-Final in 1:58.79.
Phelps was ranked as the third-fastest 200 IM’er in the world in 2014, despite not putting as much focus on that event in his return as he did on the 100 fly. He was ranked only behind Japan’s Kosuke Hagino and fellow American Ryan Lochte.
Dwyer ranked 5th in that same event, and Clary was tied for 10th. Clary’s lifetime best in the 200 IM is a 1:57.25 from Nationals in 2009, though the 1:57.94 is the fastest he’s been since 2009.
Clary also earned the right to race in the 200 backstroke, 200 fly and 400 IM in Kazan, giving him a very full schedule. Between this announcement and that of Tim Phillips joining the team to swim the 100 fly, both of Michael Phelps’ qualified individual events have been filled.
I think with all due respect Clary should decline this 200im spot and cede it to conor Dwyer. He has enough to take on with 400im, 200fly, 200ba. He has no chance in my opinion to medal in 200im. Does anyone know the event order and potential doubles implications for Clary? I wonder about this selection process choosing swimmers for worlds nearly a year out. At least when the dust settled you have to be confident that USa swimmings selection process produced the same names we are accustomed to seeing and getting results at this level.
Remember when everyone said Clary should give up because he has no chance against Ryan Lochte and won gold at the Olympics in the 200m backstroke? And then this summer finaled in every single event he swim at nationals and Pan Pac?. Dwyer is a talented swimmer, but he didn’t swim well enough to earn that spot. And last year, Clary wasn’t training for the 200 IM at all, his coach just threw him in it the last day to see what he could go. This year, he is training it because it’s on he schedule. Just food for thought. He’s the last person you ever want to underestimate.
I don’t think Phelps didn’t put as much focus on 200IM as he did on 100fly after comeback. Looks like the two equally main individual events for him. Pretty sure he’ll be focusing on both for Olympic Trials.
Good for him I suppose. I have to say I will miss MP at World’s in Kazan
I’m pretty sure Ledecky’s is heavier. 200-400-800-1500 and 4×200 relay. Who’s this other Ironwoman?
Tyler might not be the fastest 200 Imer in Usa right now but What a Champion he is . His 200 back at Pan Pacs was really impressive . He must be the only one right now to have such a busy , heavy schedule on Big Meets like WC . 200 butterfly + 200 back , 200 and 400 IM .
Is it not a bit too heavy for him ? i wonder ….
Congrats Tyler .
He qualified for the 200 fly also, right?
TheTroubleWithX – Yes, that’s correct.