How Fast Will Simone Manuel Swim at the 2021 U.S. Olympic Trials?

Gold Medal Minute presented by SwimOutlet.comOlympic swimming star Simone Manuel delivered at the recent San Antonio Pro Swim, sweeping the 50m and 100m free:

  • 50m free – 24.70
  • 100m free – 54.62

Simone said she wasn’t happy with her races, saying “there were goal times I didn’t hit.” However she felt there were positives she could takeaway from the competition.  Considering the masks, no fans, and that she hasn’t raced during COVID, she was satisfied with her performance overall.

U.S. Olympic Trials PREDICTIONS!

Simone sweeps the 50m and 100m free at the 2021 U.S. Olympic Trials. She’s not messing around. This is a full rest to test her flat-out speed, and she will go faster in Tokyo.  At U.S. Trials  I see a 24.2 50m free and a 52.4 100m free. I think she swims the 200 free as well, dropping a 1:56.8 to make the 4×200 free relay.

Simone – 2019 World Championship Results

  • 50m Free – Gold – 24.05
  • 100m Free – Gold – 52.04

I’m backing off my predictions pre-worlds for the U.S. Olympic Trials.  See what I predicted for Simone well before the pandemic hit:

  • 50m Free – 23.89
  • 100m Free – 51.9

But who cares what I think!  What do you think? Give me your best expert swimming analysis.

Follow Simone Manuel on Instagram here.

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This is a Gold Medal Media production presented by SwimOutlet.com. Host Gold Medal Mel Stewart is a 3-time Olympic medalist and the co-founder of SwimSwam.com, a Swimming News website.

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samulih
2 years ago

You are just throwing numbers without any context or meaning.

Gheko
2 years ago

Probably mid 52secs will win!

flex tape cant fix that
2 years ago

24.4 first, 52.5 first, 1:56.2 3rd

Ervin
2 years ago

I think Mel’s predictions are right on the money. Its gonna be interesting to see who takes the second spot in both sprint events…Abbey, Gretchen Walsh, Erika Brown all have realistic shots. If Mallory Commerford is back on form, she has a good of a shot as anyone in the 100.

Swimfan
Reply to  Ervin
2 years ago

I’m more curious as to how Kate Douglas will do in the 100 free. Can she go low 53 and give the Americans the depth they need

Willswim
Reply to  Swimfan
2 years ago

Nice try, but I won’t be goaded into making another Kate Douglass relay prediction.

Joel
Reply to  Willswim
2 years ago

Have any more pairs of googles?? 😊

Ol' Longhorn
Reply to  Swimfan
2 years ago

Still amazes me that in 2021 we’re still longing for a 53 low. We had a 53.0 in 2009. Not sure why there hasn’t been more progress in the top 6.

CT203
Reply to  Swimfan
2 years ago

Douglas is not as good in LC vs SC, not going to happen.

Hswimmer
Reply to  CT203
2 years ago

57 fly is pretty good LC.

Mr Piano
2 years ago

I think she’ll swim 52.3 to qualify for Tokyo, then drop a 51 at Tokyo for the gold. Cate Campbell is the only person who can beat her, but can she perform in the individual final this time?

Hswimmer
Reply to  Mr Piano
2 years ago

I highly doubt it. CHOKE Campbell, sorry but it’s true.

Mr Piano
Reply to  Hswimmer
2 years ago

I think we can recognize that Campbell has an issue with performance in the 100 free final without resorting to childish insults.

Hswimmer
Reply to  Mr Piano
2 years ago

Hey she never lives up to the hype when Simone does..

Joel
Reply to  Hswimmer
2 years ago

She won Pan Pacs 2018. And she swims brilliant relay legs. She has freely admitted the pressure got to her in 2016.

Ol' Longhorn
Reply to  Joel
2 years ago

And she said specifically that the world witnessed “perhaps the greatest choke in Olympic history.” So the “choke” thing comes from her own assessment.

Prettykitten
Reply to  Mr Piano
2 years ago

Penny could take her out

Troyy
Reply to  Prettykitten
2 years ago

That’d be almost as surprising as her win in 2016

Ol' Longhorn
Reply to  Prettykitten
2 years ago

For dinner maybe.

Dee
Reply to  Mr Piano
2 years ago

Emma McKeon went 52.4 a few months ago (after a 56.6 100fl) and has a real big meet mentality. She doesn’t need to drop too much time to be in the ballpark to cause an upset. I love Cate, but I think Emma will be top Aussie in this event in Tokyo.

Last edited 2 years ago by Dee
Troyy
Reply to  Dee
2 years ago

It might also be better for Cate if McKeon comes out of trials as Australia’s top gun in the 100 FR.

Robbos
Reply to  Troyy
2 years ago

I agree Troyy, it would be wonderful to for Campbell to have the pressure off & then win in Tokyo & go from the ‘best never to the greatest ever’ like Hicham El Gerrouj won finally won Olympic Gold in 2004 Athens.

HoosierDaddy
2 years ago

She will swim faster than Ian Finnerty, you heard it here first folks!

FlynDie
Reply to  HoosierDaddy
2 years ago

Bad taste

JCO
2 years ago

I’ll be bold and call her getting upset in the 50 by Weitzel and Walsh, but I do think her 100 will be strong

Hswimmer
Reply to  JCO
2 years ago

I think she’ll have a strong 200 also. I don’t think Walsh will beat her in anything.

GMM
Reply to  JCO
2 years ago

1-2 is enough for team usa—and the world will remember who won in Tokyo…

sven
Reply to  JCO
2 years ago

Weitzel yes, Walsh no imo. Simone 2nd in the 50, wins the 100.

Bill Swims After His Horses
2 years ago

If she is full tapered, 24.0 and 52.0. If not 24.3 and 52.4. Faster at Tokyo. She needs to be pushed to break WRs in both.

About Gold Medal Mel Stewart

Gold Medal Mel Stewart

MEL STEWART Jr., aka Gold Medal Mel, won three Olympic medals at the 1992 Olympic Games. Mel's best event was the 200 butterfly. He is a former World, American, and NCAA Record holder in the 200 butterfly. As a writer/producer and sports columnist, Mel has contributed to Yahoo Sports, Universal Sports, …

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