This week on the SwimSwam Breakdown, we discuss the Australian and French Trials, multiple South Africans skipping 2023 World Championships, and Elite Swimmers transitioning to DI coaching roles. See full list of topics below:
- 0:00 SwimSwam Introduction
- 1:14 How Dominant will the Australian women be in relays in Fukuoka?
- 10:27 How do the Australian men’s relay podium chances look?
- 19:00 How certain is Leon Marchand‘s repeat IM sweep in Fukuoka?
- 24:59 Other Storylines at French Trials
- 27:27 Will Matt Sates & Pieter Coetze Skipping Worlds pay off?
- 33:21 Feelings on Elite Swimmers Jumping into Assistant Coaching Roles at Power 5 DI Schools
SINK or SWIM
- 42:11 Will Cam McEvoy medal in Fukuoka?
- 46:46 Regan Smith or Kaylee McKeown: Who will be the Backstroke Queen in Fukuoka?
Do love the boldness of calling Smith to win the 100 back when McKeown was within 0.05 of her WR at trials.
Yeah it’s bold but at the same time Smith also looks consistent with her time going sub 58 a few time this year and we could be looking a really close race going into the wall.
Is there any pressure on smaller countries, like South Africa, to prioritize the ’24 WC because of relay qualification? I assume that USA, AUS, GBR, CAN, CHN are all trying pretty hard to get as many qualis as possible here in ’23. But with 13 of 16 spots in each relay available only through the ’24 WC, I could see that being a target event for smaller federations.
That’s not right. The medallists in Fukuoka automatically qualify. The next 13 fastest times from either Fukuoka or Doha will also qualify. If a country gets 4th-6th in Fukuoka they are essentially guaranteed qualification to Paris. Realistically I would say top 10 in Fukuoka are likely to qualify.
I’m not sure about relays, but I thought it made sense for “fringe medalists” to show up for the 2024 WC.
A ton of the heavy favorites prolly won’t show up, a good way to sneak in some medals.
The question is : will Mcevoy get gold in Fukuoka, not will he medal
I think the answer is the same either way: if he reproduces his trials times then he will, but if he doesn’t he won’t
The 50m is still usually a bit of a crap shoot…can be pretty hard to call.
He’s not that much of a lock to medal.
Absolutely has the potential to win it, but could definitely see him as the last guy off on a tight 21.4-21.6 podium as being more likely.
Oh, you guys still do this?
Insert the Titanic “it’s been 84 years” gif
thanks for the shoutout haha. one name that was missed in the im was talk was wang shun, however his ability to challenge marchand depends on his approach to the asian games. still see him beating casas and foster, though
Who is Matt Sates training with these days? Last I heard he was with Chad training with German coach! Is he still there? He says going to Worlds interferes with his coaches’ training plan….sorry I don’t buy that excuse!
On the elite swimmers having an “easier” pathway to collegiate jobs! I see both sides of the argument. Personally, I think all college coaches should coach club for a year before moving to the college ranks! How many elite college coaches were elite swimmers before coaching?
I thought he was full-time with Rocco Mering now.
So please tell us what excuse you think Matt needs?! What will you buy then? The guy started in January with Rocco in collaboration with his previous coach. He is giving it time to asjust. So really, I wouldn’t care what you buy or not buy if I was in his shoes.
I feel like Leon is either going to destroy our highest expectations or go very much below them. Possible he does both of these choices within the week if he gets really tired towards the end.
The women’s 4 x 100 meter medley relay for USA Swimming looks golden:
Smith, Regan
Jacoby, Lydia
Huske, Torri
Weitzeil, Abbey
Abbey Weitzeil has never looked better in-season.
Yep the same team that lost the Olympics final two years ago and looks like they have a chance to redeems themselves.
I bet that team is only half right.