Men's 100 Meter Butterfly

This could be the event that gives Michael Phelps the most trouble. He doesn't hold the World Record in this event right now, Ian Crocker does at 50.40. The two of them went 1-2 in Athens, and look to be in position to do it again in Beijing. The didn't put up great times at trials, Phelps won the race in 50.89 and Crocker had 51.62, but these times would have them 1-2 in the European Championships or the Australian Trials and they went 1-2 at World Champs in Melbourne last year. It is worth taking a minute to watch the Athens final; Phelps was way back half a body length behind Crocker with 15 meters left to go and managed to get his hands on the wall before everyone else. He increased his turnover rate and tucked his head for the last 3 strokes. He does the same thing at Worlds in 2007, just incredible how he gets his hands on the wall to win races.


Phelps and Crocker always battle for first & second in the 100 Fly

The challengers hoping to dethrone this one-two combo are Frenchmen Fred Bousquot (51.50), European Champion Evgeny Korotyshkin (51.89), and Australians Andrew Lauterstein (51.91) and Adam Pine (52.13) in his 3rd Olympic games.

Mike Cavic tied Crocker's second best time, which is the second fastest in history. 50.76 is faster than Phelps has ever swum this event in competition.

Medal Predictions:

Video:

Watch Phelps touch out Crocker for gold in Athens

Phelps does it again in Melbourne in 2007

 

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