Every sport selects their representatives to the Olympics in a different way. I don't have the time, and I barely have the interest, to figure out each sport's unique method. I know a little. Basketball has something to do with a committee. Gymnastics I think is the same. Marathon was selected about 2 months ago through a qualification race. Golf has something to do with world rankings (and a break in the schedule and facing Zika head on with no fear.) That's about all I can think of off the top of my head. The interesting thing is that none of these are as simple as they look on their face. Well, at least most aren't.
In swimming, it seems simple, and in reality, it is simple. The top two finishers in each individual event qualify for the Olympics. There are 13 individual events for men and 13 individual events for women. This all seems very simple. Except there are three relays for men and three relays for women. And the US is only allowed to bring 26 men and 26 women to the Olympic for swimming. So, if 26 different women finished first or second in the 13 individual events, USA Swimming would have to decide whether to bring those 26 women, or drop a few of them to fill out the relays.
Technically, at this point in the Trials, only 5 men and 5 women have qualified for Trials. That would be the winners of each event. The second place finishers are probable. This is why it is complicated.
The process is simple, because this is only technical. In reality, Conor Dwyer has already taken two of the 26 available positions (200 free and 400 free). Tonight, Katie Ledecky will probably take a second position, as will Maya DiRado. Leah Smith might do the same as well. I feel pretty confident that Michael Phelps is going to eventually take more than one position. Ryan Murphy may as well. Chase Kalisz can do it tonight. Ultimately, the US has enough swimmers that qualify in more than one event, allowing them to bring relay only swimmers (like Ryan Lochte after last night), without telling some second place finisher, "I know you finished second in the 200 breast, but we need a 4th 200 freestyler for the 800 freestyle relay, so you're out. Sorry." Man, that would suck.
So, there is my brief explanation of the technicalities of US Swimming Trials. I have much to do today and my own swim meet to attend tonight, so today will be brief. And boring. I promise to make it up tomorrow. Or Friday. Or at least by the weekend.
A few Random Thoughts:
1. The differences in celebrations are fascinating to watch. Olivia Smoliga and Kathleen Baker acted like they just qualified for the Olympics, fulfilling a life long dream. They hugged, they cried, they screamed. Katie Ledecky, who everyone in the world knew was going to qualify turned to Leah Smith after the Women's 400 free and yelled what appeared to be "We're going to the Olympics!!" This is the excitement you expect. In contrast, Townley Haas seemed like he wasn't sure what just happened. And Ryan Murphy gave a slight fist shake, as if he just got that full house in Yahtzee to fill up his scorecard.
2. After last night's swim and post-race interview by Olivia Smoliga, The Wife is now a huge fan. Olivia does represent the best of Olympic qualifying. She was bouncing off the walls last night.
3. So far, this is the year of new Olympians. The defending gold medalist in the Men's 400 IM, the Women's 100 Back and the Men's 100 Back are all not returning. In the Women's 100 Back, the gold medalists from 2004, 2008 and 2012 were trying to qualify again. They finished 7-8. Townley Haas just finished his freshman year at Texas. When his friends ask how his summer was in the fall, he can say, "Well, I went to Rio." Lilly King is also only one year into college. Maybe this always happens, but right now, it feels like a major turnover is happening in US Swimming.
4. Michael Phelps is really, really good.
5. I love Lilly King. She swims like it is the most important thing she could possibly do, and no one, NO ONE, is going to beat her. Can't wait to see her take on Ruta Meilutyte and Yuliya Yefimova in Rio.
6. The Men's 200 Free was one of the most exciting races I have ever watched.
7. Katie Meili is quite the cutie. So is Conor Dwyer.
8. Did I mention that Phelps guy is really good? He may have a future in this sport.
9. Congratulations to the qualifiers from yesterday - Townley Haas, Conor Dwyer, Olivia Smoliga, Kathleen Baker, Ryan Murphy, David Plummer, Lilly King, Katie Meili.
What to Watch For:
1. Men's 100 Free - Caeleb Dressel did some amazing things at the NCAA Championships this year. Can he pull a Townley Haas and turn college domination into Olympic dreams fulfilled? Will Nathan Adrian buck the new Olympian trend to qualify in an individual event? Will Anthony Ervin, who won gold in the 50 free in 2000? What of Ryan Lochte?
2. Can Missy do something, anything, in the 200 Free? With Katie Ledecky and Leah Smith in the middle of the pool, I don't like anyone's chances of doing anything other than qualifying for a relay.
3. Really, how good is Katie Ledecky? How good is Leah Smith?
4. How good is Maya DiRado? Can she set herself up as a medal favorite in both IMs?
5. Is Michael Phelps human? I say no.
Predictions Wrap Up:
1. Men's 200 Free - Dwyer, Haas (Conger, Smith, Lochte, Clary) - Nailed the first two, but WRONG ORDER. One of two for the relay swimmers.
2. Women's 100 Back - Smoliga, Baker - Correct and WRONG! Happy for Kathleen Baker.
3. Men's 100 Back - Murphy, Plummer (knocking out yet another defending Olympic Champion) Nailed it!
4. Women's 100 Breast - King, Meili - Nailed it!
I don't mean to brag, but...I did pretty well yesterday.
Predictions:
1. Women's 200 Free - Ledecky, Smith (Schmitt Franklin)
2. Men's 200 Fly - Phelps, Clark
3. Women's 200 IM - DiRado, Leverenz (bucking the trend of new Olympians)
4. Middle crushes his 25 fly tonight.
No comments:
Post a Comment