By John Lohn
BEIJING, China, August 15. THE last time the United States was at a major international competition, it was disqualified in the preliminary heats of the 400 medley relay at the 2007 World Championships in Melbourne. This time around, the Stars and Stripes had no problem qualifying No. 1 for the championship final.
The squad of Matt Grevers, Mark Gangloff, Ian Crocker and Garrett Weber-Gale managed a time of 3:32.75 to nail down Lane Four for the medal race on Sunday morning. By that time, the Americans are likely to go with a relay consisting of Aaron Peirsol, Brendan Hansen, Michael Phelps and Jason Lezak. Phelps would get the spot if he wins tomorrow's 100 fly, obviously a good possibility.
The Australians finished second in the prelims in 3:32.76, thanks to the foursome of Ashley Delaney, Christian Sprenger, Adam Pine and Matt Targett. For the final, look for the Boys from Down Under to boast a lineup of Hayden Stoeckel, Brenton Rickard, Andrew Lauterstein and Eamon Sullivan.
Japan's quartet of Junichi Miyashita, Kosuke Kitajima, Takuro Fujii and Hisayoshi Sato qualified third in an Asian record of 3:32.81 while Russia took the fourth slot in 3:33.59, good for a European standard. The field for the final will be rounded out by Great Britain (3:33.83), New Zealand (3:34.09), South Africa (3:34.16) and Italy (3:34.32).
