Scott Usher was in the news this morning, but probably not in the way he wanted to be. Usher, being the gifted breaststroker that he is, was selected to swim the second leg of the 400 medley relay in the semifinals. Usher's relay exchange off of the 200 meter backstroke world record holder, Ryan Lochte, was smooth, but things got ugly when Usher touched the wall to send off Ian Crocker, another world record holder, for the butterfly leg. Crocker left a moment too soon and team U.S.A. was disqualified from the finals in the event. (At right, Crocker enters the water as Usher (submerged) makes his last lunge toward the wall in the bottom lane.)Had team U.S.A. not been disqualified Brendan Hansen, the current world 
record holder in both breaststroke events, would have taken Usher's place on the relay for finals. Without a doubt, U.S.A. would have won that relay and, I believe, Scott would have received a gold medal because he was on the preliminaries team. Phelps would also have won his eighth gold medal of the games. He did finish with seven, a feat only accomplished one other time in a major international swimming competion by Mark Spitz at the 1972 Olympic Games in Munich. (At right, Crocker (center) reacts to the results as Lochte (left) and Usher look on.)
record holder in both breaststroke events, would have taken Usher's place on the relay for finals. Without a doubt, U.S.A. would have won that relay and, I believe, Scott would have received a gold medal because he was on the preliminaries team. Phelps would also have won his eighth gold medal of the games. He did finish with seven, a feat only accomplished one other time in a major international swimming competion by Mark Spitz at the 1972 Olympic Games in Munich. (At right, Crocker (center) reacts to the results as Lochte (left) and Usher look on.)
1 comment:
Oh man. That is too bad.
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