After having to withdraw from the individual 100 freestyle at the Olympics in London due pancreatitis Australian Cate Campbell has returned to the pool with determination to show what may have been in London and what could be in Barcelona. In the last year the 21 year old has taken off nearly a full second from her life time textile best time of 53.82. Campbell is also the only woman to have gone under 53 seconds this year and has done so three times; twice at the Energy Australia Championships in April (semi-final 52.83, finals – 52.92) and again at an Australian team time trial on June 22nd posting a time of 52.89.
She has also shown tremendous speed posting a 24.27 in the 50 freestyle, which the world’s top ranked time. Campbell looks to be on a mission, one that makes her the favourite for the win in Barcelona.
Although Olympic Champion Ranomi Kromowidjojo‘s of the Netherlands best this year is a 53.83 that in no way takes her out of the conversation for one of the top three spots on the podium. Other then Campbell, Kromowidjojo is the only woman to go under 53 seconds, posting a 52.72 in April of 2012, since January 1st, 2010. She has always shown the ability to perform on the biggest of stages, winning both the 50 and 100 freestyle in 
London and placing second in the 50 freestyle and third in 100 freestyle in Shanghai in 2011.
Kromowidjojo has also posted the second fastest time in the 50 freestyle this year recording 24.30.
American Missy Franklin is currently ranked second in the world in the event, recording a lifetime best time of 53.43 at the American World Championship Trials. Franklin’s pure speed is not her strength like Campbell or Kromowidjojo, but she will have an advantage in the second half of the race. Judging by her season’s best of 1:55.56 in the 200 freestyle there is no questioning her fitness.
Aliaksandra Herasimenia of Belarus is having an extremely strong showing at the World University Games in Kazan this week, posting a season’s best time of 53.50. Herasimenia has had a lot of success on the international stage in this event, tying Jeanette Ottesen for the win at the 2011 World Championships in Shanghai as well as finishing second at the Olympics to Kromowidjojo.
French swimmer Camille Muffat has had an incredible twelve months, which has included winning gold in the 400 freestyle, silver in the 200 freestyle and bronze in the 4 x 200 freestyle relay at the Olympics and breaking the 400 (3:54.85) and 800 freestyle (8:01.06) short course world records. Muffat has also shown that she can be among the world’s best in the 100 freestyle posting a life time best 53.51, which is the fifth ranked time in the world, at the French Championships in April.
Australian Bronte Campbell, the 19 year old sister of Cate posted a best time of 53.72 at the Energy Australia Championships in April, which is currently the sixth fastest ranked time in the world this year. In the past the youngest Campbell sister has had her greatest success in 50 freestyle, finishing tied for tenth in London and currently ranks fifth in the world in the shorter distance, but in the last year has improved her life time best in the 100 by over eight tenths of second.
Sarah Sjostrom of Sweden has been 53.66 this year, which ranks her fifth in the world. Sjostrom just missed making the 100 freestyle final London, placing ninth with a time 53.93.
American Shannon Vreeland came into the year with a lifetime best of 54.87 and qualified for the World Championships by finishing second at the American trials in a time of 53.83. Vreeland looked great at trials and has shown huge improvement in the event, but the question is will she be able to continue to improve in Barcelona?
One athlete you can’t leave out of the conversations is Olympic bronze medalist Tang Yi. She is currently ranked 12thin the world with a time of 54.03, well off the 53.44 she posted in the final in London. It is always hard to know how the Chinese are progressing when they swim very few meets in season. Yi has only swam the 100 freestyle at the BHP Billiton Super Series in January (55.22) and Chinese Nationals in April (54.03).
PICKS, with best times since January 1, 2010
- Cate Campbell (Australia) – 52.83
- Ranomi Kromowidjojo (Netherlands) – 52.75
- Missy Franklin (United States) – 53.43
- Aliaksandra Herasimenia (Belarus) – 53.38
- Camille Muffat (France) – 53.51
- Bronte Campbell (Australia) – 53.72
- Sarah Sjostrom (Sweden) – 53.66
- Shannon Vreeland (United States) – 53.83
Dark Horse – Tang Yi (China) – 53.28
I think Campbell will take it over Ranomi, but it will be tight, and Franklin over Herasimenia for the bronze. Yes, uncontroversial I know 🙂
My predictions
I agree it will be tight between Cate and Ranomi, and they will be the class of the field being the only 2 who currently have the ability to dip below 53. It’s a bit of a toss up, but I can see Cate ultimately prevailing in redemption for London. And where’s the love for Halsall?! I would not be at all surprised if Franny squeaks in for the bronze medal, say at around 53.2.
Then a tight bunch following the medallists in the 53.25 region, spearheaded by Aliaksandra & Tang, with Bronte looming as the dark horse.
Missy will be close behind them, improving on her London & Indy trials times thanks to her… Read more »
I did give Fran Halsall some love in my 50 predictions I believe 🙂 I would love to see both her and Sarah Sjöström in the medals. Perhaps her massive London disappointment will really fire her up this year, I’m not sure it will happen but I would only be too pleased if it did.
Pretty sure Halsall is only doing the 50fly and 50free in Barcelona.
Kat’s spot on with regards to Fran not competing in the 100 @ Worlds:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2013/jul/15/fran-halsall-london-2012
By the way, whatever happened to Femke after her incredible 52.46 anchor split in the 4×100 @ Shanghai??
Will she even be representing the Netherlands in the 100 individual @ Barcelona? Who will be the 2nd Dutch swimmer after Ranomi if not Femke?
Not sure if we can completely discount Jeanette or Britta’s chances of at least making it to finals either…
For Cate fans there is a fab pic of The girls walking their pet black pig Pepper through the streets of Brisbane.
It’s not the hippo that invaded their lagoon back home in Malawi but looks to have a better personality.
Win or lose the Campbells have had an amazing life.
I agree with the top 3 and almost the whole top 8 in order, except: 1) Will Muffat definitely swim the 100? She’ll have to go almost all out to get a good lane for finals to put her in medal position and not favored to medal. She will have her hands full in the 400 with Boyle and others and 2) Tang will likely be in the finals and could finish as high as reprising her bronze performance from London. (Of course, with the erratic pattern of the Chinese, I guess she could just as likely languish in semi-finals).
Funny , the Video BOBO GIGI Posted here can’t be seen here ; olympic committee doesn’t allow it’s vision on swimswam . WEIRDO Olympic Commiiittteeeeeeeeeeee
all you have to do is copy the url and watch it on youtube.
that was done of course , i just mentioned something else !
I don’t also think there willl be easy wins on 100 free ; either on Men or Women side . Epic races for sure and faster times than London .
i can’t see an easy win for Cate Campbell.
Remember, Ranomi is still the textile WR holder and her 51.93 split last year trying to chase down Schlanger was epic.
Also, Missy’s schedule this year waaayyy much better than last year. In london she still finished 5th despite having swum a few doubles nights (100 back/200 free, and 100 free/200 back). I think she can go 53 flat in Barcelona or even faster.
Agree with u ! Missy is the female ” Missile ” . She has swum very good all year and did again post very fast times at Trials . She is capable of anything . With better schedule , she is a strong contender for a medal and a very important key to all 3 Us relays .
Just like ASwimFan I see Missy’s absolute best being just below 53. Inferring from Kromo’s performances in June, which I presume to have been untapered ones, I estimate her absolute maximum to be approximately similar to Missy. Ranomi has seemingly some kind of post-Olympic hangover ongoing as well.
Campbell’s maxima are about five tenths of a second ahead of others. She would have won with a body lenght but her height may prevent such a devastating victory from becoming true. Not even Megan Romano in a relay is able to challenge her in 100m free.
No rebellion against the author’s sound picks:
1) Cate Campbell (AUS)
2) Ranomi Kromowidjojo (NED)
3) Melissa Franklin (USA)
I can already envisage Cate Campbell pulling herself ahead of the field over the last 50m with her long and strong strokes. Australian media may start to ponder a new nickname that suits her. I suggest “cannonball”.
I’d have ranked Missy second but Dutchwoman’s schedule is easier and almost perfect for this. Even though Missy is a reliable workhorse, slight tiredness may have its effect on and drop her third position. On the other hand, the final of Women’s 100m freestyle is the first final on sixth day and her morning schedule on that day is merely… Read more »
If Sjoestrom fulfills her potential, she should swim sub 53 by now. I wished she concentrated on 100 fly/free only.
Sarah Sjoestroem needs to have the guts in the 100Free – If she tears out (unlike usually where she just eases out in around 26.4) and is around 25.9/26.0 – She will likely be neck and neck with Ranomi and I reckon that might throw Kromowidjojo a little….What does the Olympic 50/100Free champ think when she see’s a 1.55 200Freestyler on her shoulder at the 50? Herasimenia and Campbell will likely be out ridiculously fast, 25.3 shall we say – Herasimenia can’t turn, so Campbell will go into the turn with her but pop-up with a bit of a lead…Then it’s head down time, I wouldn’t put it past Sjoestroem motoring them all down, but neither would I put it… Read more »