We're previewing the races that are taking place at the U.S. Olympic Swimming Trials.Men's 50 Freestyle
What to watch for: The 50 free is the drama king (or queen) of every Olympic Games. It is the all out fistfight that everyone waits for. In the first 10 seeds alone there are three men who are seeded at the exact same time and the first 10 places are separated by just under seven-tenths of a second. It is the event in which if you slip, breathe, blink, or forgot to cut your finger nails, you'll be sitting at home while someone else takes the flight to Beijing. Watch for swimmers who breathe little, and stroke a lot. That might sound elementary, but the perfect 50 free has only one breath, lots of kicking, and a whole lot of guts.
What it takes: It's hard to call something like this. In the 2000 Games in Sydney, then-rivals Jenny Thompson and Dara Torres supposedly tied in the finals of the 50 free. In reality, the timing system runs to the nearest thousandth, not hundredth, but the official time is published only in hundredths. Someone who was running those timing systems knows who nicked the other, but isn't telling. That's the story of the 50 free: someone is going to get nicked and it's anyone's race.
Unlikely underdogs: Veteran Neil Walker is seeded eleventh but watch for him to make a surge and hopefully win at least a spot on a relay.
My prediction: Don't forget, in the 50 and 100 meter freestyles the top SIX, instead of just the top two, get to go on a relay spot. But I think that as far as individual qualifiers it's going to be Texas superstar Garrett Weber-Gale and 2004 Olympic veteran Cullen Jones (pictured). Jones set the American record in the event this morning, which is a good sign for his chances.
