Lots of the news coming out of Shanghai this week at the 2011 World Swimming Championships has Phelps looking 'beatable'.
Yes, he did get out touched in the 200M Free by teammate Ryan Lochte, and he is sitting in 5th in the 200 Fly after semi's (where he still hold the world record, and has never been beat before in international competition). I just want to say - don't get cocky. To quote Aaron Peirsol, the recently retired backstroke dominatrix, "If I were swimming right now, I would be running scared all the way to London. Phelps came into this (the world champs) with his eyes set on London. This will only motivate him more."
I was cheering for any American chasing Phelps, and I will continue to do so this week. It can only help USA in 2012.
On a side note, I do think that USA's best spokesperson for our swim teams, Natalie Coughlin, is also having a good, but not great, performance thus far. Well...Good. Get pissed and get even in 2012. That girl rocks it - and knows how to bring it at the Olympic Games. Plus her I.Q. is higher than her shoe size - and thus deserves way more attention than Phelps.
The most impressive swim so far has been from Rebecca Soni when she came close to her own World Record in the 100 breaststroke.
In truth - I cannot remember a year that USA dominated the worlds - in the year before the Olympics. We just prioritize the 4 year meet over the yearly. Well done, USA.
The worst of it all is that France is having a great meet. Bernard included (the guy who talked smack about the Men's 400 Free Relay in 2008). I hate that. Let's hope the american swimmers do too when they go back to their workout pools. Let it push them all the way to yet another dominating performance in London.
Gotta Fly Now
USA's trail meet is often 'deeper' than the Olympic Games. We have an incredible talent 'pool' here. That is 2 swimming puns for those of you counting
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