Over the past few years, many of us have taken our Olympic heroes, like Ian Thorpe and Grant Hackett, for granted. But those days are over. The Australian women swimmers are guiding the way in Beijing, while in comparison to previous years, the men are underachieving.
And while Hackett is still a chance of winning the 1500m freestyle, the odds for gold are stacked against him.
The veteran team captain finished fifth in his 1500m heat and will face a tough challenge against younger opponents in the finals.
Stephanie Rice, who took part in her first Olympic campaign this year, is likely heads that list.
At just twenty, Rice has won two individual gold medals, and a third in the 4x200m freestyle relay.
Joining her are fellow team-mates Libby Trickett and Leisel Jones.
Trickett, 23, and Jones, 22, won their first individual Olympic gold medals during the week after choking at the Athens Games.
Eamon Sullivan set a new World Record in the 100m freestyle (47.05sec). However, he failed to win gold after losing to rival Frenchman, Alain Bernard.
“I’m more than happy with a silver medal, I would’ve liked the gold, but I did my best and it wasn’t good enough,” Sullivan told Channel Seven after the race.
With the men yet to win gold in Beijing, the 22-year-old will have another chance to redeem himself in the 50m freestyle finals on Saturday.
Sullivan also holds the 50m freestyle World Record, but the question is: has he got what it takes to win an Olympic gold medal?
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