SHANGHAI, China, July 25. TO say this morning's heats of the 200 freestyle were a Yawn-Fest would be an understatement, as the top guns – expectedly – cruised through their morning swims like they were taking a bath. Tonight, though, will be a different story. Look for the semifinals of the event to be sensational as a stacked field battles for the eight coveted berths to the championship final.
Although yesterday's 400 freestyle was pegged to be a dandy, the 200 free – at least for this writer – has been the can't-miss event of the World Championships. The firepower is downright scary, paced by the presence of Michael Phelps, Tae Hwan Park and Ryan Lochte. We could very well see a big-time name shut out from the final.
The four-lap freestyle is Lochte's first chance to further his pursuit of Phelps' title of World's Best Swimmer. Although Lochte was the undisputed king of 2010 as evidenced by his Swimming World World Swimmer of the Year award, thanks to his six gold medals from the Pan Pacific Championships, he needs another extraordinary performance on the international stage to bump Phelps from his throne. And, truthfully, no matter what Phelps does the remainder of his career, his legacy is firmly established.
Still, Lochte has a chance to enhance his status and nothing would help more than a victory in an event that features ridiculous talent. In Phelps, he could knock off the most decorated Olympian of all-time. In Park, he'll tangle with the reigning Olympic champ in the 400 free, an event Park claimed on Sunday night at the World Champs.
Meanwhile, Lochte's portfolio would be boosted by bettering the likes of Paul Biedermann, the defending world champ and world-record holder, and Yannick Agnel, the rising French teenage star. The only international stars not in the event are China's Sun Yang, who has opted to focus on the 400 free and up, and Ian Thorpe, the Australian legend in the middle of his comeback.
Lochtehas always been fueled by a challenge and has long believed himself capable of beating Phelps, a mentality that not all competitors have fostered. Now is the Floridian's opportunity to get the job done.
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