Ryan Held on 2021 Experience Impacting 2024 Trials: “There’s been a lot of fear”

2024 U.S. OLYMPIC TRIALS

At the 2021 US Olympic Trials, Ryan Held finished 6th in the 100 free, which would typically mean securing a spot on the Olympic roster. However, due to roster limitations, Held was left off the team. Last night, Held finished 5th in the 100 free and was candid about his fear of being left off of the team again.

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The Stanton Fam
6 months ago

We love you Ryan and have been rooting our HEARTS out for you. We couldn’t be more proud of ALL of your accomplishments!!!!

Swimfan27
6 months ago

I love all the athletes talking about their experiences with therapists, sports psychologists, or confidence coaches at these trials.

AQW
6 months ago

It’ll be a moot point when Held wins the 50FR tomorrow night.

Weinstein-Smith-Ledecky-Sims
6 months ago

The definition of fear is watching Ryan Held lead-off the men’s 4 x 100 meter freestyle relay.

Swimmer.
Reply to  Weinstein-Smith-Ledecky-Sims
6 months ago

You have posted this comment a hundred times. Get over it

Sam
Reply to  Swimmer.
6 months ago

Agreed WSLS couldn’t lead off a 100 yard with fins be within several seconds. Always the worst of the worst throwing shade. Get over it.

Crazycucumber93
Reply to  Weinstein-Smith-Ledecky-Sims
6 months ago

Which race are you referencing?

Swimz
Reply to  Crazycucumber93
6 months ago

He is referring the fukuoka free relay final..where the coaches gave him a free pass to the final relay despite being 5th in the trails..all other 3 were rokies..alexy , Guiliano, Matt all put 47s and the veteran lead off the team in run_and die method in 48.2 which cost the color of the medal…

Notanyswimmer
6 months ago

Is the roster limit of 26 solely imposed by USA Swimming or is it a directive coming down from FINA?

Admin
Reply to  Notanyswimmer
6 months ago

FINA/World Aquatics

Weinstein-Smith-Ledecky-Sims
Reply to  Braden Keith
6 months ago

Who has the inside track, King or Pieroni?

Katie
Reply to  Weinstein-Smith-Ledecky-Sims
6 months ago

King, I believe. It’s based on comparing the time swam to the OQT.

MTK
6 months ago

Thankfully, that narrow margin of being 5th rather than 6th this time around gives him a spot over King, Pieroni and potentially Curry. He’ll make it this time. And I can’t write him off from nabbing a spot in the 50fr either.

Swamererer
Reply to  MTK
6 months ago

He’s also a great relay swimmer, not something that should be overlooked!

Weinstein-Smith-Ledecky-Sims
Reply to  Swamererer
6 months ago

Ryan Held?

bigNowhere
Reply to  Weinstein-Smith-Ledecky-Sims
6 months ago

yes. As far as I can tell Held had one bad relay swim, leading of the men’s 4×100 free relay at the 2023 WC. That specific swim was painful to watch, but historically his other relay performances have been good. For example, he had a 46.9 split in 2022.

Last edited 6 months ago by bigNowhere
Swimz
Reply to  bigNowhere
6 months ago

Why we need keep live in past if he can not repeat that performance..as swim fans we love to see WR ..so held should only be at prelims..Guiliano, alexy. ,dressel, Armstrong line up is so pure and best..they 4 are the only 4 who went 47s flat starts in all 3 trail rounds..so ..I trust them on relay

Last edited 6 months ago by Swimz
Swimz
Reply to  bigNowhere
6 months ago

Held died and could not matched with charging merresi of Italy at Budapest 2022 medley relay..held is more 50 guy..

AQW
Reply to  MTK
6 months ago

Curry has the advantage over Held if (heaven forbid!!) they can only take one fifth-place finisher.

Alaverga
6 months ago

NGMI

Alaverga
Reply to  Alaverga
6 months ago

Called it

Mean Dean
6 months ago

A medal for him here would be a massive redemption arc, hope the scriptwriters have something in store

25Back
Reply to  Mean Dean
6 months ago

Scriptwriters just told me: Armstrong goes 47.5 split in 4×100 relay prelims, Held goes 47.2 and he gets put on the finals relay where he splits a 47.3

SwimCoach
Reply to  25Back
6 months ago

Have you been watching the series “The Magic Man”? This guy has more plot armor than anyone else. How can you leave someone with so much plot armor off the relay?

EXCALIBUR
Reply to  25Back
6 months ago

Armstrong is now the favorite to join the 3 other guys in that final relay on day 1 in Paris – thats absolutely certain

Swimz
Reply to  EXCALIBUR
6 months ago

Yes Armstrong is a lock for relays…he was so consistent through out..he has 4 sub 47.85 flat 100 in this season..only Guiliano has 4 in this season..if he goes 47.5 prelim leadoff he is the key..2016 Rio prelims held was not the fastest split holder..but being a youngest one ..coaches put him on relay final…the first 4 is lock here for the final

Swimz
Reply to  EXCALIBUR
6 months ago

It is a lock..the guy who has sub 48 flats in this season, and a clutch relay swimmer..47.8,47.9,47.5,47.7..flat times during past 4 months..he went 47s in all three rounds..held is more 50 guy now

Last edited 6 months ago by Swimz

About Coleman Hodges

Coleman Hodges

Coleman started his journey in the water at age 1, and although he actually has no memory of that, something must have stuck. A Missouri native, he joined the Columbia Swim Club at age 9, where he is still remembered for his stylish dragon swim trunks. After giving up on …

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