imagine setting a WR in the 5000, then making a WC final of the 400 30 min later

In Like Flynn wrote:

It's very unlikely she would medal in any event in Rio unless she improves dramatically. 50/100 way too tough. 200 she is not even close now.

I'm not so high on Manuel. She has to show me something in the 50 in Kazan. 24.91 isn't even close. Coughlin was faster at the Pan Ams. I think Coughlin was faster in the 100 as well.

She has talent, but I wouldn't bet the house on her medalling.

...Now Phelp's 1:52.9 - that's something to talk about.

Agreed about Phelps - guess this sobriety thing is working for him. And Coughlin had a great Pan Ams - nice to see her swimming so well.

Also agreed that it's a long shot for Simone Manuel to medal in an individual event in Rio, but hey, she did have a nice swim today in the semis of the 50 free - looks good for her to get under Sjostrom's 50 fly PR in the final.

And how about Katie Ledecky - 8:07.39. Damn. I could easily see her getting down to 8:04 [28.5 first 50, 14 x 30.5 middle 700, 28.5 last 50]. From, there could she somehow find another 1% and dip under 8...?! Can't say I think it's likely, but I don't think it's impossible either.

Kazan was a bit dismal but the future's bright -- with Worrell etc in Rio the US should be more competitive. And Phelps roaring back! I expect a sub-51 performance from him tonight, he looked so smooth in the prelims. The sprints are worrying. I'd love to see madison kennedy make her first olympics.

I think it's totally possible to see katie under 8 in a few years. Normally I'm an advocate for swimmers doing NCAA instead of going pro but for distance swimming the college thing is a question ... have to assume she'll train with the men's team at standford, yeah?

Yep. Very nice swim by Manuel. I hope this gives her confidence going into the final. I would love to see her medal.

Ledecky - other worldly. Her back half (4:04.1) would have ranked her 6th in the world this year in the 400.

For some reason, I can't see Phelps going under 51 tonight. I hope he does - especially in light of the comments (and swim) by Le Clos.

Well, I was quite wrong. Never doubt the GOAT, I guess. Two great swims from him so far.

One must remember that the pool of competitive swimmers is far smaller than the field of track athletes.

And that, aerobically, those swim distances (times, really) span from the gap on up. Swimming doesn't have the same gait difference, so the muscle usage is far more similar in swimming than running.

This stands out in swimming, but not as much as a top 400/800 double in track. Juantorena stomped in '76, and Marcello Fiasconero was superb on the watch (but Italian times), but these were anomalies.

In Like Flynn wrote:

In Like Flynn wrote:

Yep. Very nice swim by Manuel. I hope this gives her confidence going into the final. I would love to see her medal.

Ledecky - other worldly. Her back half (4:04.1) would have ranked her 6th in the world this year in the 400.

For some reason, I can't see Phelps going under 51 tonight. I hope he does - especially in light of the comments (and swim) by Le Clos.

Well, I was quite wrong. Never doubt the GOAT, I guess. Two great swims from him so far.

Oh to be with le clos when he found out...

You know, I hate to bring this up, because I sound just like any other Lets Run troller, but has there been any suspicions about Ledecky's performances, not in terms of PEDs, because I know she has been excelling since before high school, but maybe in terms of TUEs? (Not sure if the same system prevails in swimming as in track.)

In asking this, let me say I really hope NOT. I don't follow swimming really at all, but what I've picked up on her last couple of years is that she is just an incredible swimmer, and I hope we can just celebrate her as a once in lifetime athlete with no qualifications.

janitor wrote:

You know, I hate to bring this up, because I sound just like any other Lets Run troller, but has there been any suspicions about Ledecky's performances, not in terms of PEDs, because I know she has been excelling since before high school, but maybe in terms of TUEs? (Not sure if the same system prevails in swimming as in track.)

In asking this, let me say I really hope NOT. I don't follow swimming really at all, but what I've picked up on her last couple of years is that she is just an incredible swimmer, and I hope we can just celebrate her as a once in lifetime athlete with no qualifications.

from what I know TUE usage isn't nearly as widespread in swimming (though it seems like half of any hs club group has inhalers). I feel like people are really polar -- she's squeaky clean // lots of suspicion, especially from other nations, especially after John Leonard's embarrassing ye shiwen statements (ref:

)

Imagine if Ledecky was Chinese... what would we be talking about?

Actual person not a puppet wrote:

Imagine if Ledecky was Chinese... what would we be talking about?

We'd be talking about how she really doesn't look Chinese.

bspring wrote:

from what I know TUE usage isn't nearly as widespread in swimming (though it seems like half of any hs club group has inhalers). I feel like people are really polar -- she's squeaky clean // lots of suspicion, especially from other nations, especially after John Leonard's embarrassing ye shiwen statements (ref:

http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2012/jul/30/ye-shiwen-world-record-olympics-2012

)

90 % of swimmers are "asthmatic", and those who are not, will go to great length to become one and get their dose of salbutamol.

This is what I hear, I don't know how true it is tough...