The schedule and program today cannot be compared to that of 1956, 1968, 1972, 1984, 1992, nor even 2016. What we should avoid is the use of phrases such as “the greatest haul ever…” Or even “greatest since” – or worst since, for that matter, unless the percentages, not the numbers, stack up that way. Of course, we must count all swim events, however old or new, the lost and reinstated in the mix. Had it not been for the new distance freestyle events, which extended the options for freestylers to six (three for ‘sprinters’, three for ‘distance’ crew, if you like) compared to two each for the other stroke specialists, Australia would have been level with the USA on gold count.
E. MCKEON OLYMPIC GAMES TOKYO 2020 CRACK
Tokyo was the first Games at which men and women had precisely the same swim events to have a crack at.
With the addition of the women’s 1500m and men’s 800m freestyle and the 4x100m mixed medley, there were 37 events across nine days, compared to 34 events from Beijing 2008 and Rio 2016, after the introduction of the marathon, and 32 events held at all Games since 1996, when the women’s 4x200m freestyle joined the schedule. In terms of individuals, six American men took home a medal, compared to 10 American women who claimed half of all individual silvers and bronzes up for grabs in the biggest Olympic swim program in history. Indeed, the count was 15 out of 30 available silver and bronzes in solo events, including Open Water, where Americans took no prizes. The USA topped the swim score not only because its men claimed the lion’s share of gold its women fell significantly shy of their Aussie rivals on gold count but in the depth of minor spoils, they claimed more prizes than their male teammates. Let’s be clear: the United States won the swim meet – and that made it the eighth straight Games at which Americans have emerged from the Olympic pool victors with a decent margin over all other nations, the bulk of which decidedly belong to the vanquished when it comes to their ability to compete at the deep end of elite sport. Even so, Australian women, along with significant pressure asserted by Great Britain men and individuals that made Tokyo 2020ne a cause for celebration in Canada, China, Japan, Hungary, South Africa, Brazil, Germany, Tunisia and Team Tchaikovsky, all with at least one Olympic champion apiece, reminded us how fine the line is between dominance and disappointment, best or second best, gold or silver. KraemerĪs it turned out, this was not the year that the mighty United States succumbed to the next best thing to a superpower in the pool. Australian 4x100m medley gold: Kaylee McKeown, Chelsea Hodges, Emma McKeon and Cate Campbell – by Patrick B.
The northern summer wanes as its southern cousin stirs from slumber, the switch of seasons in nature a touch more inevitable and obvious than the subtle yet significant change of swim climate in an Olympic season delayed and shaped by the COVID pandemic. Thanks to all those who read our work and engage with our efforts, including those that seek out the truth some would rather conceal. State of Swimming will still be here, with the occasional appearance of Ed and several guest posts in the months to come. This marks the start of a sabbatical from regular event coverage for me, Craig Lord, until other work is done.
E. MCKEON OLYMPIC GAMES TOKYO 2020 PLUS
Below is an ed itorial wrap of the swim meet, some of the key lines, analysis and commentary of an Olympic year delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic, plus links to my reports of every final and a bit more. An Olympic swim season like no other is well and truly behind us, the result book of the 32nd Olympiad sealed, the ripples from the Tale of Tokyo 202One on their way down the decades to come as part of the flow and lore of Games thrills and spills.
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