PHOENIX, Arizona, August 6. BY popular demand, Swimming World returns with another special media round table after the success of the first edition. Last week, our panel discussed the Jessica Hardy case and some of the ramifications of the NCAA's decision to extend its moratorium on the new suits.
This time, we asked our panel what they thought would be the biggest story of the 2008 Olympic Games.
John Lohn, Swimming World's senior writer took time out of his busy schedule as he prepares to jetset to Beijing to provide our readers with the best coverage in the business from the 2008 Games. Lohn just finished a 32 week preview of the Olympics as well, which can be seen in a free digital download issue of Swimming World Magazine For more information, click here.
Erik Boal, who is a sports writer with the Los Angeles Daily News and is a special correspondent with the Press-Telegram in Long Beach, returned for a second stint. His latest work can be seen here.
Chris DeSantis, a University of Pennsylvania assistant coach and blogger at Floswimming, also came back for a second helping of the round table. Updates to his blog are posted here
[Jason Marsteller, Swimming World] Simple question, not so simple answer. What do you each think is going to be THE biggest story of the 2008 Beijing Games? Let's start with John, who is being kind enough to join us right before heading to Beijing.
[John Lohn, Swimming World] It has to be Michael Phelps and his pursuit of eight gold medals. We could see something never done before in Olympic history, and that carries a lot of weight.
[Jason Marsteller, Swimming World] What about you, Chris?
[Chris DeSantis, Floswimming] I think the story of the Games is going to end up being the diversity of countries that medal. When I look at the U.S. team, it looks as good as ever, but the difference in 2008 is that there are way more medal contenders from other countries. France, Great Britain, Holland, Zimbabwe, Japan and China all have a good chance to come away with multiple medals.
[Jason Marsteller, Swimming World] What's your top story of the Games, Erik?
[Erik Boal, Los Angeles Daily News] Just to add real quick to what John said, not only does Phelps have an opportunity to collect more gold medals than any American swimmer or athlete at an Olympic Games, but he also will likely become the most decorated U.S. Olympian of all-time passing Jenny Thompson's 12 medals by a large margin.
As far as my top story, since I'm a So Cal guy, I can't ignore Dara Torres, since she grew up here. Now that she's on the team, what exactly can that 41 year old mom do at the Olympics? I want to see her race Libby Trickett head-to-head, I want to see her anchor relays to medals, to see if she's just great among Americans, or if she can battle stroke for stroke with the rest of the world.
[John Lohn, Swimming World] Maybe more than any other Games in recent memory, there are so many great storylines. Beyond the Phelps and Torres storylines, not much is being said about Katie Hoff. We're looking at a woman who could win five individual gold medals and is getting minimal attention. Then there's Ryan Lochte, the second-best swimmer in the world who is being called a possible foil to Phelps. This is a guy who doesn't get the credit he deserves.
[Erik Boal, Los Angeles Daily News] John makes a great point about Hoff. She could be the most decorated female swimmer at the Olympics and most people reference her as Phelps' little sister. The great thing about what Hoff could do is that it would be similar to Phelps' level of improvement from Sydney to Athens, going from no medals to eight. In Athens, Hoff brings home no medals at age 15 and now could realistically get six, including the aforementioned five golds. But I believe her challenge is tougher than Phelps'.
[Chris DeSantis, Floswimming] I, for one, am far more interested to see if Tae Hwan Park is ready to knock Grant Hackett off the mountain and become the distance king. I'm interested to see if Pieter van den Hoogenband can rebound from the host of swimmers that have broken his world record to win a third 100 meter title, which would be the first time that has ever happened. There are a lot of great stories outside of Hoff, Phelps, and Torres.
[John Lohn, Swimming World] Chris brings up two men that are chasing history. No man has won three consecutive individual gold medals in a single event. I think Hackett will pull off the feat in the 1500, but I don't see Hoogie with the speed to keep up in a 100 free that has changed. That event has seen its depth elevated considerably and I can't see Hoogie going the 47.3-range it could take to win.
[Erik Boal, Los Angeles Daily News] Along with Hackett's bid for a three-peat, I am intrigued to see just how strong this Australian women's team in Beijing after their strong showing at Worlds last year. Libby Trickett, Leisel Jones, Stephanie Rice and Cate Campbell could do some things individually and on relays that take those events to the next level. And speaking of relays, the men's 400 free relay, as John talked about on the Morning Swim Show, is going to be ridiculously good.
[Chris DeSantis, Floswimming] I am also very excited about the men's 4×100. There are four potential gold medal teams in my estimation. France has a well balanced relay with Bernard to anchor, and he has split 46 high this year. The U.S. has the best relay on paper but they usually do. The Australians are much better than 2004 when they were a non-factor, Eamon Sullivan has guaranteed that. South Africa will be able to contend if Schoeman and Neethling are on top of their game because Gideon Louw has given them another 48.0.
[John Lohn, Swimming World] In mentioning Cate Campbell, Erik brings up a youngster who could emerge as the next big thing in women's sprinting. She's 16 and has been 24-low and 53-low. Those times, though, are nothing compared to what I think she may go in Beijing. She has huge potential and has consistently cut time in recent months, to the point where I see her winning gold in the 50 ahead of Libby Trickett. I think the 100 will see them flip gold and silver.
[Erik Boal, Los Angeles Daily News] Since John brings up Campbell, Jason, I would like to quickly poll my colleagues and find out who they think is going to be the breakout/breakthrough swimmer in Beijing?
[John Lohn, Swimming World] I'll say Campbell and Tae Hwan Park, if he qualifies for that distinction.
[Chris DeSantis, Floswimming] I really like Ryosuke Irie. He is nipping on the heels of Peirsol and Lochte and is just a young pup. I think a lot of people will be asking themselves "Who is this guy?" when it's all said and done.
[Erik Boal, Los Angeles Daily News] Great call by Chris. Too bad we can't throw Nick Thoman into that mix, but that's for another time. I also like Park, but I'm going to go with Rebecca Soni for the women and Cesar Cielo for the men.
[Jason Marsteller, Swimming World] So last words from you all before Beijing. Chris?
[Chris DeSantis, Floswimming] Swimming, as a sport, has a pretty long tradition of good sportsmanship and well-behaved athletes. A lot of the discussion surrounding Beijing has been around China's politics and the possibility of athletes voicing their views. I think Milorad Cavic showed that swimmers have the potential to make very strong political statements and face sanctions for them. I think we may see someone in the pool take their one chance to speak out, just as figure skater Joey Cheek did in 2006.
[Jason Marsteller, Swimming World] Erik, how about you?
[Erik Boal, Los Angeles Daily News] Everybody enjoys a good showdown, a mano a mano battle, and although there are eight people in the pool at one time, I think these Olympics will showcase some of the great head-to-head duels the sport has to offer.
Whether it's Americans like Phelps and Lochte or Peirsol and Lochte battling, or Ziegler and Hoff or Coughlin and Hoff, or the rivalries we often only see at Worlds or the Olympics like Kitajima and Hansen, Hoff and Rice, Schipper and Jedrzejczak, Park and Hackett, not to mention the relays, that's the best part of the Olympics is to see if those battles live up to the pre-race hype.
[John Lohn, Swimming World] We're about to witness the greatest exhibition this sport has ever seen. People are going to complain about the suits changing the sport, but the bottom line is that we've arrived at this point and there is no turning back. So, sit back and enjoy.
History could be made with Phelps, who I truly believe will win eight golds. And Erik is right. These head-to-head battles need to be appreciated. Sure, we might get a few at World Champs, but the Olympic Games are special. We won't be able to see this stage again for four years. I hope what goes down in Beijing is fully appreciated.
[Jason Marsteller, Swimming World] Thanks for your time, everyone. We really appreciate you joining the discussion. Have a safe flight to Beijing, John!
