If you've been keeping up with the latest Olympic news, then you know about the Olympic trials in the US. Some will wonder why it happens a month before the big event, while the other nations would hold their trials several months before the opening of the Games. Athletes want to avoid injury, and it can happen. Anytime. Moreover, they don't want to peak too soon. Making it to the US team seems harder, though.
The other disciplines won't require an event, as past results and availability would be the main factors for the selection. This is not the Rio Olympics, but sports fans are witnessing extraordinary feats. Let's take a look:
Can anyone stop Katie Ledecky? No female swimmer competed in all the freestyle races of the United States Olympic Trials until Katie Ledecky came along. The teenage sensation from Washington, D. C. also entered the 400 individual medley race. She may not have made it to the podium, but she still has a shot of making history in this event. She missed the world record mark in the 400-meter freestyle, but her time was good enough for first place. She would race against Missy Franklin in the shorter (freestyle) races, but fans knew who to cheer for. Ledecky won five gold medals at last year's World Aquatics Championships. She might try for the 2020 Olympics. And she will only be 27 years of age for the 2024 Summer Games. The greatest swimmer ever? Michael Phelps may not mind at all.
Ryan Lochte won't defend his 400 IM title in Rio. Age might have caught up with Lochte, who won a total of nine Olympic medals. He finished third in the finals of the 400-meter individual medley, but only the top two swimmers could swim in Rio. Can Chase Kalisz and Jay Litherland beat Japan's Daiya Seto? No one is making a nod.
Simone Biles wants to prove something. The native of Spring, Texas won ten World Championships medals including three golds in the all-around individual category. Svetlana Khorkina of Russia and Gina Gogean of Romania have won more, but Biles could surpass them in the next worlds (in Montreal). The Olympic Games would be a different scenario as Shannon Miller remained the most decorated American gymnast. Biles might not be competing in Tokyo (in 2020), but an Olympic gold medal in the all-around individual event would cement her status as the greatest gymnast of her generation. Gabby Douglas, the 2012 all-around Olympic champion, will be Biles's strongest competitor. But the 19-year-old has been unstoppable.
This is not the Dream Team, but they're still the favorites. USA Basketball announced the twelve-man squad for the Rio Olympics. Carmelo Anthony of the New York Knicks will be making his fourth Olympic appearance, which is a record. A third straight Olympic gold medal will be another milestone in his stellar career. The NBA playoff season took a toll on some NBA stars, who opted to rest during the remainder of the summer. The trades also affect the American team, as well as some national teams from Europe. There was a disappointment, but Jerry Colangelo, director of USA Basketball, insisted that this team would have depth. And coach Mike Krzyzewski would have many options. It seemed that Team USA won't play its toughest competitors during the group stage.
David Boudia will defend his ten-meter platform diving title in Rio. Qui Bo of China was the heavy favorite to win the platform diving event in the London Olympics. On the other hand, David Boudia barely advanced to the semifinals. But the native of Abilene, Texas edged Qui and hometown bet Tom Daley in the finals. Greg Louganis, the last American diver to win an Olympic gold medal, was watching from the stands. Qui beat Boudia and Daley at last year's World Aquatics Championships. The Chinese is still favored to win in Rio, but this would be old news to Boudia.
