Men's 200 Meter Freestyle

This event makes me really mad that Olympic Swimming only allows two athletes from each country. The 5 fastest swimmers this year are from the United States. In Athens, this was the one individual event Michael Phelps did not win, taking the bronze medal behind Ian Thorpe (gold) and Peter Von Den Hoogenband both of whom will not be in Beijing. At the World Champs in Melbourne in 2007 Phelps broke Thorpe's WR and now own's it with a time of 1:43.86. Ryan Lochte actually has the second fastest time in the world this year, but he scratched this event in trials after the semi-finals. Freestyle specialist Peter Vanderkaay, a teammate of Phelps, swam a 1:45.85 in trials and will be swimming in the number 2 spot for the US. Ryan Lochte actually has the second fastest time in this event this year, but dropped this event from his program.


Phelps defeated Von Den Hoogenband in Melbourne setting the WR

Internationally, Jean Basson has the fastest non-American time this year with a 1:45.85 and Korean Tae Hwan Park the second fastest non-American at 1:46.26. German Paul Biedermann has a 1:46.37, and Frenchmen Amaury Leveaux has a time of 1:46.54. The Australians, led by Grant Hackett, may not be a factor in the medals for the 200. Ian Thorpe, only 25 years old now, retired back in late 2006 and will not be back to defend his gold medal from Athens. Wuss, he's scared of competing against a Michael Phelps that is in his prime.


Tae Hwan Park should get a medal or two in Beijing

Medal Predictions:

Video:

Watch the 200 Final at USA Trials

 

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