Gustavo Borges Picks Caeleb Dressel For 50 Free Silver In Rio

A cluster of notable Brazilian journalists, commentators and former swimmers gathered in São Paulo earlier this month in the first of a series of meetings under the name #olympicpoolparty.

Among the squad of 9 pool party members is multi-Olympic medalist Gustavo Borges, who is now in the role of swimming commentator for TV Globo, as well as Alexandre Pussieldi of Best Swimming and SporTV. The inaugural meeting focused on the topic of the members’ best guesses for Olympic medalists at the 2016 Rio Games.

Each analyst presented and discussed their candidates for the podium both in the pool and within the open water swimming events and views were based on past Olympic performances, world rankings and additional international meet results.

There were several women’s events in which the #olympicpoolparty concurred 100% as to whom they anticipate winning gold in Rio. All 9 members believe that American Katie Ledecky will top the podium in the women’s 400m and 800m freestyle, Swedish swimmer Sarah Sjostrom will outswim the world in the 100m butterfly, Aussie Emily Seebohm will reign in the women’s 100m backstroke, and Hungarian Katinka Hosszu will beat all in the 200m and 400m IM events.

The group also all voted Team Australian to win the highly anticipated, ultra-competitive 4 x 100m freestyle relay for the women.

As for the men, however, just one individual event received unanimous votes, which was the selection of American Michael Phelps for gold in the men’s 100m butterfly. United opinion also reigned in the selection of Team USA to win the men’s 4 x 100m medley relay.

8 out of the 9 high-profile Brazilian sports leaders chose Phelps to also score the victory in the men’s 200m IM, as well as Aussie Mitch Larkin to earn gold in the men’s 200m backstroke. A lone dissenter instead chose Brazilian Thiago Pereira as the winner of the former event and yet another pool party member chose Japan’s Ryosuke Irie for the latter.

Borges in particular included rather notable names within his picks for 2016 Olympic medalists, including newly-minted American Record Holder Caeleb Dressel. With what may turn out to be incredible foresight, Borges opted for Dressel to take home the silver in 50m freestyle event – behind France’s Florent Manaudou for gold and followed by Brazil’s Bruno Fratus with bronze.

Note that this first #olympicpoolparty was held on February 16th, whereas Dressel’s history-making 18.23 50 yard freestyle and 41.07 100 yard freestyle took place after that date, on February 17th and 20th, respectively. Yes, the swims were conducted in yards, but Borges must have faith the Florida sophomore will successfully translate that speed into meters when it counts to not only make the U.S. Olympic roster, but to thrown down a silver medal-winning time.

The group’s next meeting is slated for March 8th, where new selections will be forecasted.  For now, see the complete list of original #olympicpoolparty projections here.