Results at the United States Rio swimming trials won’t change Australia’s Olympic pool expectations, national head coach Jacco Verhaeren says.
And just as well.
The Americans are threatening to deliver the Dolphins a reality check during Australia’s final pre-Rio hitout, the two-day Brisbane grand prix starting on Friday.
Australia were tipped to reclaim world No.1 swimming status for the first time since 2001 after emerging from their Olympics trials with 10 No.1-ranked swimmers and 26 in the world’s top three of their respective events.
However, they have slipped to the No.1 ranking in eight events and top three in 14 events with still four days of the US trials remaining.
So far, Emily Seebohm (100m backstroke) and Mack Horton (400m freestyle) have held onto their top rankings since the start of the US trials.
Verhaeren said he would keep one eye on the US meet while at the Brisbane meet but reckoned times at Rio were the only ones that would count.
“I will watch the US trials but whatever happens there probably won’t change my expectations,” he told AAP.
“I am sure they will post some great times and will give a great indication of where they are at.
“But for our approach, it won’t change anything.
“You have to wait and see on the day at Rio – that is where it happens.”
World champion and gold medal favourite Mitch Larkin arguably received the most-sobering warning ahead of Rio.
The reigning FINA Male Swimmer of the Year was relegated to third in the 100m backstroke rankings behind David Plummer and Ryan Murphy after they booked their Rio ticket at the US trials.
The pair ensured defending Olympic champion Matt Grevers failed to qualify.
“If you look at the USA, the 100m backstroke is one of their strongest events,” Verhaeren said.
“Mitch knows he can’t afford any mistake at the Olympics.”
Australia’s Cameron McEvoy will learn if he still holds world No.1 status before Rio after the 100m freestyle final on Friday (AEST) at the US trials.
Australia’s world No.1 Cate Campbell and No.2, her sister and defending world champion Bronte, will know where they stand after Saturday’s women’s 100m final.
The Queensland-based Dolphins received their Rio uniforms in Brisbane on Thursday ahead of the two-day Olympic warm-up meet.
The entire Dolphins squad is set to compete in Brisbane with heats from 10am and finals from 6pm on both days.
Punter
Guest
Where is your article Spruce? I think, maybe too optimistic 8-10 golds.
spruce moose
Guest
I penned an article evaluating the best chances and hopefully the roar will put it up today. We don't really have much of a chance in the mens medley relay. There are no quality breaststrokers or butterfliers in the mens. I think we are good for 6-8 golds.
Punter
Guest
Haha Brilliant Chris!!!!
Torchbearer
Guest
US trials wrapped up, and Ledecky (400/800) and the mens 200m Breaststroke aside, nothing particularly spectacular to write about. Australia should be feeling confident in a number of individual events (W50, W100, W100back, M200 back, M100,M400) and all the relays, especially the womens 4x100, and 4x100MED.
Chris Kettlewell
Roar Guru
True, although I did start worrying about the Campbell sisters recently when I saw them on a Swisse vitamins ad. I've well and truly noted the trend over the last decade that endorsing Swisse is career suicide. From Ricky Ponting to the London Olympics team and many others, the moment people start showing up on Swisse advertisements, they invariably go downhill. Desperately hoping the Campbell sisters can buck that trend!
jameswm
Roar Guru
I don't see them punting Cate Campbell out of no.1 in the 100 free, just quietly.
Punter
Guest
it's now 4 events, we have kept No 1, with Cate Campbell 50 & 100 to go, plus Larkin in 200 back to go. Larkin's time last year is still quickest in last 2 years in 100 back.
Torchbearer
Guest
Been closely following the US trials, and they have not been especially fast. Australia's rankings are holding up surprisingly well just a month out from the Games. Although the 7 (Olympic Gold) medal haul at the last World Champs will be hard to match, not impossible for Australia to win say 4-5 golds in Rio, a big improvement on London, where our track and field team won twice the gold of our swimmers!