Originally Posted by Edward_Sloley:
“In Melanie Marshall he has a coach that learned (the hard way) not to peak before the global champs - she entered Athens 2004 as world leader/British record holder in 200m freestyle but didn't make the final.”
That might be a bit unfair on her. She did have a disappointing heats swim in Athens. But whilst she could be considered one of the medal contenders she was not really the favourite. World rankings in swimming heading into Olympics are not necessarily the best form guide. So when world rankings are mentioned sometimes you have to take them with a grain of salt. You need to compare times going back more than a year. There were several women in the race that had much quicker personal bests from the previous year. Van Almsick and Pelligrini were the favourites, and another favourite, Natalie Coughlin dropped the 200 free, to focus on other events. Sometimes whilst qualifying some swimmers are not tasked with swimming a completely tapered swim to book their tickets. A world record is a world record though. And very few men ( I believe only 4) have ever been sub 59 in a textile suit in the 100 Breast. That really puts into perspective how incredible Peaty's 57 sec swim is for you.
Originally Posted by Edward_Sloley:
“I wonder what Cameron van der Burgh, Felipe França Silva et al will do in the next few months. Speaking of CvdB, his preceding WR had been set in the same lane during London 2012, for what it's worth.”
Silva, I'd imagine will be up for it at a home games. I'm not sure if Cam VDB will get under 59 again. Murdoch may actually be his closest rival if you can believe it.
Originally Posted by
Edward_Sloley:
“Also worth adding Ross Murdoch (runner-up in that astonishing race) is now ranked =11th all time after his 59.13 Scottish record. Stats can be obtained in the FINA site.”
It was a great swim for Murdoch, who was a bit disappointing in the 200 Breast. Peaty won the 200 in a bit of an upset. It will probably take a 2:07 to medal at Worlds in the 200. Hannah Miley had a great swim in the 400IM today as did Wilmott. Both are medal chances this summer in Russia. Miley will need to replicate that or go faster to have a chance but she's struggled to put it together outside Commies, Nats, and Euros. Only the Worlds in 2011 did she put together a medal swim at a global meet. Rather optimistically I'm hopeful that both Miley and Wilmott will be on the dais. Halsall, Carlin, Walker-Hebborn, and O'Connor (not 100% now) will also be medal shots along with the men's breaststrokers.