Would Michael Phelps’s bid for eight gold medals in the Beijing Games dissolve in a pool at the Water Cube on Monday? The answer was a resounding No.
Not over Jason Lezak’s 32-year-old body.
Lezak, swimming the anchor leg of the United States’ 4×100-meter freestyle relay, hit the water a half-second after Alain Bernard of France, who came into the race as the world-record holder in the 100-meter freestyle.
“I knew I was going to have to swim out of my mind,” Lezak said, adding, “I had more adrenaline going than I’ve ever had in my life.”
Dragging off Bernard, who was hugging the lane line that separated them, Lezak made up ground, but with 25 meters remaining it appeared as if he would run out of pool. Trailing Bernard by half a body length, Lezak put his head down and surged to the wall.
I caught the whole thing live this morning, and I honestly was not sure who won, even after I watched the first replay–incredible! Read it all.
Update: There is a lot more here also.
As someone who was a competitive swimmer though college, I say, this was one of the most amazing anchor legs I have ever seen.
This was a thrilling moment; I happened to see it live as well, and even though I am a member of Athletics Anonymous, it was impossible not to be caught up in the moment. There is a parable in this for those who have eyes and ears to see and hear.
It was a TEAM effort. They all deserve equal credit period. One of the most exciting moments in Olympics I’ve ever witnessed.
It was, unquestionably a team effort. Nevertheless, the finish by Lezak was one of the most amazing I’ve ever seen. Lezak was still behind when they went under the flags and Alain Bernard is considered to be one of the top sprinters in the world.
This was truly an amazing race!
We have been enjoying watching all the events of the Olympics. The women’s gymnastics was heartbreaking with all the flubs and inuries and such, but little Shawn Johnson (?) is amazing as well.
My daughter was active in swimming all through High School and has kept it up in college, so she insisted we watch the swimming competitions (which I enjoy as well), and they are amazing, as well. Unfortunately, I went to bed around 11 last night (still have to go to work in the mornings) so did not see much of those events.
Peace
Jim Elliott <><
Absolutely thrilling! I could not believe the last 25 meters. Lezak is the man!
Shawn Johnson is from my hometown, West Des Moines, Iowa. She attends Valley High School, attended by my parents, my son, and myself. My son called last night and said I could tell my friends that Shawn has the same locker he had when he was at Valley. I told him that might not be possible because they had remodeled the school in the last couple of years, and it didn’t look anything like when he was there in “72. He said; “Mom, I know that, but it makes a good story.”
The one thing that probably spured them on was the French swimmers remark prior to the race, “we will smash them.” It is always a poor idea to stimulate you rival with trash talk, it often bites you in the a**.