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When asked to put the women’s 200 free final at the FINA world championships into perspective, Bruce Gemmell agreed that it was very similar to the “Race of the Century” at the 2004 Olympics featuring the likes of Michael Phelps, Ian Thorpe and Pieter Van Den Hoogenband in the 200 free.
Gemmell, who coaches Ledecky daily, said a lineup that includes world champions Missy Franklin and Federica Pellegrini is instantly one of the toughest fields of eight in history. Add in Ledecky, and the makings of an epic race was evident.
“That’s a tough field, with an extremely deep, talented, fast group of individuals,” he said. “That’s a tough race to win.”
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The times on the scoreboard might not have reflected that, but Gemmell said the intensity of the final likely contributed to the slower times.
“Doing it on the big stage, under the lights, it starts to wear on everybody,” he said.
Though the names in the final have years of experience at the biggest meets in the world, Gemmell said even the most experienced racer might feel a bit intimidated that they are swimming for a medal against Ledecky.
“Any of them would be making a mistake to base their race on one person,” he said. “If you have 25 meters left, and you are right next to her, that might be (intimidating), but standing up on the blocks, I don’t think so.”
Despite the win in the 200, Gemmell said none of the focus will change from getting Ledecky ready for the 400 free in 2016.
“I had the discussion with Frank Busch, our national team director, the other day,” he said, “and I said we are going to train her for the 400, and we are going to make her the best 400 swimmer we can. And whatever we can get out of the (200 and the 800), we are going to get. If her 400 gets really, really good, then the 200 and 800 should be really, really good.”
