Produced by Coleman Hodges.
Reported by Robert Gibbs.
MEN’S 200 METER FREESTYLE – FINALS
- FINA A: 1:47.97
- U.S. Olympic Trials: 1:51.89
Conor Dwyer dropped two seconds off his time from this morning to win in 1:46.61, tying him with Australia’s David McKeon for 8th in the world this year. Christian Quintero and Ryan Lochte made it look like a three-man race early, but neither could hang on, touching in 1:48.10 and 1:48.85. Matias Koski and Clark Smith dueled down the final stretch, with Koski finishing 4th in 1:48.90 and Smith 5th in 1:49.01. Jack Conger and Long Gutierrez, who will be facing each other again in the 100 fly here in a few minutes finished 6th and 7th in 1:49.48 and 1:49.80. Veteran distance swimmer Michael McBroom replicated his time from the morning with a 1:49.84.
Like Franklin, Michael Phelps finished well ahead of the rest of the field in the B-final. His 1:48.21 would have placed him 3rd in the A-final, well ahead of Lochte.
Robert, cool you loved my comment about Bob Bowman.
Yes, I’m proud of it. 😆 😆 😆 😆
1) No way Phelps will swim 200 free in Rio: 3 individual events are even too much. Considering the order of events and the field, perhaps 200 free would be better than 200fly (more time to rest before 200 im and 100 fly, and in the 200 free there is good depth but nobody really sure to dip under 1.45, whereas in 200 fly there are great swimmers like Le Clos and Cseh), but Bowman, like in 2012 gave up 200 free for 400im in Phelps’ Olympic schedule, will always choose 200 fly instead of 200 free.
2) It’s clear that Phelps is aiming to be part of Usa 800 free relay. And probably that will happen (5 guys favorites:… Read more »
U are right . If Agnel , 2 years training in France since he left Bowman can’t get back to a 1.45 , than the real problem resides within him , simply put . Motivation , talent , regularity in training is very essential for that level but what about how he envisaged Himself going into these 2016 trials ? How was his confidence ? where is he in his private life ? is it dragging or uplifting ? Any swimmer will go through those aspects to get to where he wants to get . If some elements dont work well , it delays the best performances …. Lets see and wait
I very much agree with the gist of your comments: Phelps wanting to be on the 800 relay and question mark as to how many events he should enter. Personally, I have held the view that he should do just the 100 fly and 200 IM plus the relay. That is already 7 races at the highest level.
As for Agnel, only he knows what exactly happened, but if he regains some self-confidence, he could swim 1’45” which would put the French relay in contention for a medal.
Funny how after years of huge performances and swimmers (Phelps, Agnel, Thorpe, PVH, Sun Yang, Park, Hackett, Klim) the 200 free has been lagging lately.
Agnel wanted to do 100/200/400 and Bowman told him that he would need to put on more muscle to beat the likes of Adrian. He did, but I think that his body wasn’t accustomed to so much work (weights + swimming) and would have needed more time. After all, Phelps had followed such regimen for years.
Imagine Agnel and Phelps anchoring their respective 800 relays and going for gold!
Interesting interview
He says that if Agnel is at 100%, it will be very hard to beat him.
He also says that he will not make again the error of 2012 when he added the 400 IM. He doesn’t want to swim too many events this time.
http://www.lequipe.fr/Natation/Actualites/Michael-phelps-au-meeting-de-mesa-c-est-comme-ca-que-tu-dois-nager-sur-200m/652562
He also confirmed that he wants to swim the 200 free individually in Rio. But he knows he won’t swim it unless he’s 100% confident.
When did he say this? Link?
There’s a USA Swimming video on Facebook. It’s an extended version of this SwimSwam interview. He talks about it between the 8:30-9:00 minute mark:
“I would love to swim that race individually I don’t know if I will. But I wouldn’t swim that race unless I’m 100%”
Kind of shocked SwimSwam didn’t highlight that part in this video, though it may be saved for a later gold minute video?
Jacques Swim, yes, that’s the fault of Bob Bowman!
That’s always the fault of Bob Bowman!
The 1929 crisis is also the fault of Bob Bowman!
You know very well that a lot of French people think that Agnel has been a victim of USA which had the goal of destroying his career. 😆
So many ignorant people who love the conspiracy theories in our country! 😆
More seriously, about Agnel and his US trip, in my opinion he made a big error by leaving Bob Bowman’s group so early. He should have stayed until 2016 and try until the end. He has gone before Bob Bowman’s group moved from Baltimore to Arizona. He would have… Read more »
“The 1929 crisis is also the fault of Bob Bowman.”
I think that’s my new favorite Bobo comment of all time, love the snark. 🙂
There is never an error that doesn’t teach something about Life / Path / choices …. thats an old blinded vision of life BOBO . Maybe u made errors too u still regret – dont u let go of the regret sometimes ? and move on ? life has so much more to offer than regrets / past / blame …. bla bla . WE are in april 2016 , the past is gone and nobody can take it back . We are fans for the present of swimming , am i right ?
And how exactly would Bob Bowman “destroy” a grown man and Olympic champion? He did not go there as a rookie.
I think that the trip to the US was a symptom of the crisis, not the cause.
And I too think that had he stayed he could have reaped the benefits of Bowman’s programs, which is designed for the long term.
Agnel came in second. Why the clock put him at third is anyone’s guess.
MP also said to a French reporter present in Mesa that if Agnel was at his best he couldn’t lose the 200 free in Rio. He said Agnel is simply the most talented swimmer in that event.
Kind words from the greatest about his former training partner.
Michael Phelps has so much respect for Agnel. Remember the 4X200 free relay final in London. He talked to Agnel in the water just after the race to tell him, according to Agnel, that he put the Frenchman’s performance in the 200 free in 1.43.15 in the top 5 of the greatest swims of all time.
Can he find again some fire and some magic from 2012 in time for Rio?… Read more »
Let us pray Agnel will find his best again!
If only he hadn’t come to Baltimore and train with Bob Bowman!
U can’t say that about his move to Us – AN experience is en experience – whatever the outcome . And nobody could foresee if his decisions was right for him or not . So please , the ” If only ….. ” talks about past , past , past . We live swimming in the present and that all that counts to me at least . U can pray all u can ; all depends on the 4 months he has got left to train end bring the best on the table .
Michael Phelps will win Rio golds in 200 free, 100/200 fly, 200 IM, and all three relay golds. He comes home with 7 golds and 6 WRs (200 free WR is too difficult).
That’s very very generous. That’d be one of the greatest Olympic performances ever, and I don’t think Phelps is young enough to do it again. He says he’s in the best shape since 2008 but that’s a very big prediction