For me The men's medley relay is the single event that is symbolic of America's athletic dominance in the world. No one else had that much depth; they've never lost. Seems like that's under threat.

WHAT A FINISH! GOLD FOR FINKE

Rowdy Gaines is a national treasure.

Unbelievable finish. And the goat Rowdy gets to demonstrate his greatness too

Dressel!!!

Maybe he wouldnt have had the gas for this if he'd done the 4x200, but how do you leave him out

Dressel and his family tearing up has me tearing up

WelchAg said:

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Dressel!!!

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Wins in the wife category too.

double aught said:

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WelchAg said:

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Dressel!!!

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Wins in the wife category too.

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having her is having a Gold Medal every day

Unbelievable job by KL!

I look forward to the documentary on China's doping.....again jk

Amazing 200 leg by Ledecky. Swam 1.45 seconds faster than in the individual 200 .

Seriously, China coming out of nowhere to win Gold in several events

WelchAg said:

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It's crazy how someone can be killer in the fly, back, and breast stroke but absolutely suck (relatively speaking) in the free. He was out of that race less than 20 yards into the last lap after having a decent lead after the final turn.

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He probably has the best 50 free in the IM field. He's competing in the 50 m Free (Qualified for the semi-finals in like 9th or 10th place this morning).

Problem is that he can't swim 200 m so he dies at the end of the race.

Seems like a coaching issue? I don't see how you could be THAT good for 75% and get mowed down that bad at the end.

WelchAg said:

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It's crazy how someone can be killer in the fly, back, and breast stroke but absolutely suck (relatively speaking) in the free. He was out of that race less than 20 yards into the last lap after having a decent lead after the final turn.

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Tirico and Phelps were talking before the race about his training regimen consisting mainly of sprint training. Maybe he needs to throw in some distance training to build up his endurance and get a new coach. (he is coached by his dad...lol)

Dressel crushes for another goal, but the American women fall short of their expected podium spots and get 4th and 5th in the 200 back

Umm that was something

What in the world

I don't know why people get cute with the mixed relays. Happens in track as well. You have to race straight up MvM and FvF. Going against the grain always lead to a last place

That's kind of what happened in the mix 4x400 in track. On the third leg the Nigeria guy ran with females and was ahead then on the anchor Nigeria had their girl and she ran with guys and got last.

It feels like even more so in swimming when you've got to fight the water from the dudes in front. Just seems like you'd have to go both males then both females, get the lead and hope the ladies can hold on, right?

I like these relays conceptually but optically they are definitely an adjustment.

Regan Smith is the best 200 backstroker in the world. The. US olympic trials are so competitive, one bad day put her out of the Olympics.

wangus12 said:

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I don't know why people get cute with the mixed relays. Happens in track as well. You have to race straight up MvM and FvF. Going against the grain always lead to a last place

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I don't think they got cute, the men and women just happen to have their best swimmers in the wrong events for the mixed relay. You only option would have been to switch Michael Andrew (after swimming a 50 free) on breast with Dressel swimming free or fly.

If you look at the splits, it does say that the biggest gaps between best and best for male/female is on the breast - so its likely the worst place to have a female.

I'm guessing however that having Andrews swimming breast and a female swimming free would have not given a better time. Maybe swimming Smith on back, Andrews on breast, Dressel on fly, and a female on free might have done better, but probably not much if any.

Dressel wins the 50m