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For more than a decade, the Americans went undefeated in the men’s 800 free relay. That streak began with an upset win over Ian Thorpe and Australia at the 2004 Olympic Games and ran until 2015, when an upstart British team took the win at the FINA World Championships.
The U.S. would win gold one year later in Rio, but gone from that team are Michael Phelps and Ryan Lochte. Lochte had been on every single U.S. 800 free relay going back to the start of the winning streak in 2004.
And this British team is good, really good. Led by 2015 200 free World Champ James Guy and 100 free Olympic finalist Duncan Scott. Adding up the top four 200 free times from British Nationals (Guy, Scott, Calum Jarvis and Nicholas Grainger) comes out to an aggregate time of 7:05.65.
The top four American times (Townley Haas, Blake Pieroni, Zane Grothe and Conor Dwyer) come out to just a bit quicker (7:04.97), but neither Pieroni nor Grothe has ever swum in a major relay final.
Read below to see what Swimming World’s trio of experts think will happen in Budapest. David Rieder, John Lohn and Andy Ross will each offer their predictions for who will finish on the podium.
Men’s 800 Free Relay
Current Records:
World Record: United States — Phelps, Berens, Walters, Lochte (2009) — 6:58.55
Championship Record: United States — Phelps, Berens, Walters, Lochte (2009) — 6:58.55
American Record: Phelps, Berens, Walters, Lochte (2009) — 6:58.55
2015 World Champion: Great Britain — Wallace, Renwick, Jarvis, Guy — 7:04.33
2016 Olympic Gold Medalist: United States — Dwyer, Haas, Lochte, Phelps — 7:00.66
Swimming World Predictions
David Rieder’s Picks:
Gold: United States
Silver: Great Britain
Bronze: Australia
John Lohn’s Picks:
Gold: United States
Silver: Great Britain
Bronze: Japan
Andy Ross’ Picks:
Gold: United States
Silver: Great Britain
Bronze: China
Previous Events
Day One:
Day Two:
Day Three:
Day Four:
Day Five:
Day Six:
- FINA CHAMPIONSHIP PAGE
- ULTIMATE SCHEDULE GUIDE
- QUALIFIED HIGH DIVERS
- MEDAL TABLE
- 2015 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP RESULTS
- LIVE RESULTS
- OPEN WATER LIVE RESULTS
- PSYCH SHEET
- DAY EIGHT FINALS HEAT SHEETS
- DAY ONE PRELIMS RESULTS
- DAY ONE FINALS RESULTS
- DAY TWO PRELIMS RESULTS
- DAY TWO FINALS RESULTS
- DAY THREE PRELIMS RESULTS
- DAY THREE FINALS RESULTS
- DAY FOUR PRELIMS RESULTS
- DAY FOUR FINALS RESULTS
- DAY FIVE PRELIMS RESULTS
- DAY FIVE FINALS RESULTS
- DAY SIX PRELIMS RESULTS
- DAY SIX FINALS RESULTS
- DAY SEVEN PRELIMS RESULTS
- DAY SEVEN FINALS RESULTS
- DAY EIGHT PRELIMS RESULTS
- DAY EIGHT FINALS RESULTS
Probably the only relay, other than W4X100, where USA’s chances of a relay sweep are endangered. GBR are very much in this one. The 2 top seeds for both teams essentially cancel each other out so it will most likely come down to who’s “gun” fires off a “barnstormer” killer leg or who’s lower seeds stand up the best.
The issue of who may deliver an amazing split is an unknowable but if I were to measure up, the lower seeds; GBR have the experience whereas I think USA may have the slight advantage with regards to potential upside. I’d weight this as Adv USA but “with caution”
Bronze is a lottery with a much weakened field; FRA not even fielding a team. JAP would be my pick but I feel this year’s lineup may not be as strong as last year’s bronze. RUS are always an X factor. AUS has no “weapon”, merely a ruck of 1.47men
Phelps and Lochte are the best!
Is this the one you think gb will win Betsy Perry . I’m saying USA China Australia
No definitely not this one, I think they’ve got a chance in the men’s medley relay though. Duncan Scott and Adam
Peaty fastest in the
world this year in their 100s
Mad one. Shame their backstroke is about as stable as a leaf in the wind
Yeah that’s the downfall
Mixed relay…?
Yeah but I have no respect for that event ?
Oh, I think it’s fun