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Bella Sims Previews Duel in the Pool Open Water Relay, Broken Individual Events

In the SwimSwam Podcast dive deeper into the sport you love with insider conversations about swimming. Hosted by Coleman HodgesGarrett McCaffrey, and Gold Medal Mel Stewart, SwimSwam welcomes both the biggest names in swimming that you already know, and rising stars that you need to get to know, as we break down the past, present, and future of aquatic sports.

We sat down with Bella Sims, the 17-year-old Olympian who anchored USA’s 800 free relay in Budapest to gold with a massive 1:54.6 split. Sims breaks down her 200 free race strategy, how she kept her cool while anchoring both prelims and finals relays, and how she prepped in training for her lone event in Budapest.

Although she got 3rd in 3 different events, Sims had a great World Trials, going 4 PBs including a time trial of the 200 fly. She is following up her world champs performance with a Duel in the Pool debut, where she will be a part of the 4×800 open water relay and hopes to get the chance to swim the broken 400 and 800 free individual events.

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Music: Otis McDonald
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Opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the interviewed guests do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs, and viewpoints of the hosts, SwimSwam Partners, LLC and/or SwimSwam advertising partners.

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Sherry Smit
2 years ago

I want to see her swim the 200 Fly in the near future. Her 1:00.0 100 Fly and her 800 endurance (29. on the last 50 of an 800) gives me a lot of hope. If she goes out 1:01 and comes back at 1:05, she could be 2:06 potentially

MCH
2 years ago

I believe she is racing futures this weekend. Santa Clara I presume.

Argentina on top 🇦🇷
2 years ago

Her laugh is too loud during the pod. You can barely hear a full sentence.

Hopefully she can control herself in future interviews.

Swimmer
Reply to  Argentina on top 🇦🇷
2 years ago

You are a ray of sunshine

Steve Nolan
Reply to  Swimmer
2 years ago

“hello, yes, mr swimswam? i’d like to lodge a complaint – less whimsy and merriment on the podcast, please. mustn’t be having that. thank you.”

Njones
Reply to  Argentina on top 🇦🇷
2 years ago

She’s a teenager…. Period

Admin
Reply to  Argentina on top 🇦🇷
2 years ago

Y’all, there is no award for being the ‘worst commenter on SwimSwam.’ Stop trying so hard.

Yozhik
2 years ago

Her 1:54.6 split was the least expected and the most exciting thing to me of what has happened at this last World Championships. I really hope that it wasn’t a fluke and she will stay at this level of performance at 200. The awful and scaring gap in American women 200FR event between Ledecky and the rest of the field suddenly disappeared in just one race making the prospects of 4×200 relay very encouraging.

Swimsfan
Reply to  Yozhik
2 years ago

I think Claire Weinstein gonna be the next swimmer that makes the jump to 1:55 low (maybe 1:54 on the relay rolling start) she continues to get better and being only 15

Her lead off on the relay she beat Madison Wilson who’s best time was 1:55.8 at the Australian trials.

As far as Sims 200 free goes i think she should focus on the 100-200-400 because if you look at her splits compared to ledecky she was faster at the 50 and 100! She could put up a killer 100 split if she works on her speed

SAMUEL HUNTINGTON
2 years ago

Yea, what’s this about a broken 400 and 800???

Kevin
Reply to  SAMUEL HUNTINGTON
2 years ago

I think those are gonna be skins style events. Sounded like the broken 400 would be 1 200 and 2 100s

MCH
Reply to  Kevin
2 years ago

Sounds like a farce.

eagleswim
Reply to  MCH
2 years ago

i thnk a meet like duel in the pool is the perfect time to experiment with formats that might be more fun and interesting to watch. sure, some are going to end up being duds, but you never know until you try

Swimsfanr
2 years ago

Man I wish she swim the the individual 200 free at duel in the pool to give up review for next year and Paris!

Swimmer.thingz
2 years ago

No coverage of the European olympic youth festival?

About Coleman Hodges

Coleman Hodges

Coleman started his journey in the water at age 1, and although he actually has no memory of that, something must have stuck. A Missouri native, he joined the Columbia Swim Club at age 9, where he is still remembered for his stylish dragon swim trunks. After giving up on …

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