Phelps is a man who has done it all, although during his illustrious career he’s never really tested the waters in breaststroke. Tonight he fell just short of a podium finish which would have made him one of the few swimmers to ever medal in every stroke at U.S. Nationals.
However, he did accomplish a lot more than just getting 4th in the 200 breastroke this weekend. As he mentions above, he broke the NBAC record formerly held by 2008 Olympian and Texas alum Scott Spann. More importantly, Phelps had a meet like we haven’t seen from him in the better part of a decade. He smashed world best times, his competition, and most importantly everyone’s expectations, I think even his own.
Like he has done so many times in the past, he redefined what is possible, and what we think is possible for the future. He continues to grow the sport and generate excitement in a way that no one else can mirror, and in the next year the anticipation for his performance in Rio will just keep growing. As the man said himself, it’s going to be a lot of fun.
That Baltimore cop that popped Phelps for that DUI should be given a gift. That is the best thing that could have happened to him. He was obviously rudderless in many ways. Everyone keeps talking about his swimming, but his life is what has truly changed and that is the most important IMO. That forced him to take a good hard look at his life and by extension, his career. He seems to be in a good place in every way.
#Humblebrag
“That’s the first time I’ve done two best times in one day since like… what? two thousand… whenever I broke two world records in one day.”
I’ll give him a pass on the humblebrag. He hasn’t been this excited and joyous about swimming in 7 years.
Nice to see both Bowman and he emphasize the concept and appeal of swimming best times. That’s what everyone’s goal is. Bowman called it “the name of the game” in his interview.
Lochte maybe capable of a sub 33 Breast, but has he ever done that in a 200IM? Looking back at his WR swim from 2011 Lochte was 33.03 on the breast leg.
In prelims last week, Lochte swam 1:57.90. His breaststroke split was 32.83.
However, the IM is more than just the sum of parts. A 32 breaststroke split after sprinting 100 fly/bk is different.
yeah, for rio I see london flipping, I see phelps winning the 200 and Le Clos in the 100
I foresee 3 individual golds for Phelps, 2 relay golds, and the 4×100 free is a toss up.
Well, Chad Le Clos wants to prove a point after a disappointing worlds, with his only good swim being the 100 fly. But I don’t think the made up for him missing the final in the 50 fly and being upset in the 200. Even if he did have a good champs, he always trys his hardest during the world cup, winning it even before we knew how he was(2011). I expect a lot from le clos this world cup as I think he really wants to prove a point before the rematch in Rio. Weather that involves consistent times around phelps times or a few stand out time close to or are textile best, though I thinks that’s hard.… Read more »
Chad le clos won the 200m fly title at scm worlds in 2010 at just 18 years old. I think hes pretty well-known sine then.
Anyways, I completty agree with what you say and your predictions seem very plausible.
He can even split a 33.5 in the breast if he gets his free back to where it was in 2011 and still break the WR
Everybody thinks he has to train his breaststroke so he can come closer to the WR in the 200 im. Thats not true, the only split that prevented him from breaking the WR was his free. If he would have had the same split like in 2011 he would have been 1.53.84 already. His butterfly was perfect and the backstroke faster than Lochtes split from the WR which is crazy considering Lochte swam a 1.52.9 in the 200 back at the same championships. His breaststroke was 33.13 back then so he has a bit room to improve there but if he can get his free back to where it was he’ll break the WR and Lochte wont come even close… Read more »
Hilarious. Scott Spann, Jr. pulled a LeClos for Phelps. Thanks, Scott!
It’s important to remember there is a Scott Spann, Sr. (now M.D.), who was an incredible swimmer and has had a remarkable and inspirational life story. Great profile here http://www.swimmingworldmagazine.com/news/the-last-man-swimming-dr-scott-spann/.