Olympics Mini Feature: USA-Australia Battling for Top Billing and Bragging Rights
Time for some trivia. When was the last time in which the United States – barring the 1980 boycotted Games – failed to top the medals chart at the Olympics? The answer to the question is 1956, when host Australia claimed eight of 13 gold medals in Melbourne, and beat the United States in the overall hardware tally, 14-11.
Ahead of this summer’s Olympic Games in Paris, there is belief that Australia can end Team USA’s 68-year reign. After all, the Dolphins feature the powerful trio of Ariarne Titmus, Kaylee McKeown and Mollie O’Callaghan, and have recent success to lean on. At last summer’s World Championships in Fukuoka, the Aussie contingent nearly doubled the Americans’ gold-medal output, 13-7.
While the United States led last summer’s World Champs in total medals, 38-25, the golden count is the one that matters most. That angle became clear when NBC Sports caught considerable flak after it changed its television graphic to emphasize total medals and not gold medals. From an international perspective, it’s all about titles.
If Australia is to walk away from Paris as the No. 1 swim nation, it will undoubtedly be due to the freestyle strength of Titmus and O’Callaghan, and the backstroke prowess of McKeown. Other gold-medal prospects are linked to Kyle Chalmers in the 100 freestyle and Zac Stubblety-Cook, the reigning champion in the 200 breaststroke.
But based on results from its Trials, the United States features a roster that can extend its run of dominance. There is little doubt whether Team USA will lead in overall medals, as its depth is superior. Where Australia has holes, there are few areas in which the U.S. is not positioned to contend for the podium. Of course, the key is placing athletes on the top step.
Katie Ledecky is the overwhelming favorite to garner gold in the 800 freestyle and 1500 freestyle. Otherwise, there are plenty of other possibilities. It’s a matter of the likes of Gretchen Walsh (100 butterfly), Ryan Murphy (100/200 backstroke) and Regan Smith (100/200 backstroke/200 fly) – among others – converting on their chances.
One thing is certain: The nine-day battle in France is going to be fierce.
“This team is going to give it a good shake,” said Australian head coach Rohan Taylor. “But the Americans, there’s a reason they haven’t been beaten since 1956. They’re just extremely competent when it comes to the Olympics. This is where they step up. They have got the depth, they’ve got the numbers, they’ve got the experience. We’re going to go there and do everything we can to create an environment for these (Australian) athletes, first and foremost, to do their best.”
Australua having only once bested the USA at Olympic swimming,nearly 70 years ago. Anything but another US ‘win’ would be an unprecedented miracle this century!
I certainly hope the ‘Tall Poppies’ are taken down a peg or two!