Women's 100 Meter Backstroke

Natalie Couglin is the woman to beat in this event.  Reigning World Record holder and defending Olympic champion, she was the first woman under a minute back in 2002 and now is the only woman under 59. Natalie has owned this event for awhile, and should keep it in her pocket in Beijing. Hayley McGregory had broken Natalie’s WR during prelims at US trials, but she only held it for about 3 minutes as Natalie broke it right back in the next heat.  McGregory’s story is one of heartbreak as she now knows what it is like to finished 3rd in 4 races across two Olympic Trials meets (both backstrokes in 2004 & 2008).  The poor woman has experienced perhaps the worst results any swimmer can face in the pool.  She’s 4 years younger than Natalie, so there could be hope for her in 2012, but she’ll be 26 by then.  Rough. 


Natalie Coughlin's a water person... oh, you'll see the commercials

Enough talk of the woman who failed to make the games, Margaret Hoelzer is the reason why.  She took second in the final tying the old WR (from before US trials started) with a time of 59.21 and will be the second US representative in Beijing in the 100 Back.  Together with Natalie we could be looking at the USA going 1-2 in this event.

Laure Manaudou took bronze in this event in Melbourne, and that was when she was swimming an overloaded program. She's a very versatile swimmer and can compete with the best in so many events. She is clearly focusing on the backstroke in Beijing. I'm not sure she can catch Coughlin in the 100, but look for Laure on the podium a couple times in Beijing.


Laure and Natalie look to be on the podium again in Beijing

Manaudou and the Americans will be facing challenges from Europe, Africa, Australia and Asia.  The 4th fastest woman in the world this year is Russian Anastasia Zueva, who put up a new European Record in Eindhoven this year with a time of 59.41.  Laure Manaudou, who took the bronze medal in Athens in this event, was second to Zueva with a 1:00.05, but Laure has put up 59.50 this year (during prelims or semis in that same meet).  The defending silver medalist from Athens is Kirsty Coventry of Zimbabwe and she’s the 5th fastest woman this year with a 59.42.  Australia’s wonder child Emily Seebohm could be a factor for a medal, having swum a 59.59 at AUS trials this year.

Finally, anytime the host country has someone in the top 10, watch out.  Jing Zhao will represent the Chinese and her best time this year is 59.81, just a hundredth or two ahead of the Japanese swimmers Reiko Nakamura and Hanae Ito.  This will be an exciting race with a tight pack competing for the podium.  Coughlin is the strong favorite to win, but anything can happen in a short event like the 100.

Medal Predictions:

Video:

Natalie Coughlin is the first woman under 58 as she wins in Omaha

Watch how deep & far Natalie goes on the turn as she wins in Athens

Emily Seebohm is tops at Aussie Trials

 

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