NFL
By: Zachary Draves
The Olympic Swimming Trials in Omaha concluded as it began on an epic note.
The short night began with powerhouse swimmer Caeleb Dressel setting a new American record in the Men’s 50 Meter Freestyle at 21.04 with fan-favorite Michael Andrew coming in to fill the second spot in the event in Tokyo at 21.48.
But the biggest moment came in the Women’s 50 free as Simone Manuel came through in grand style at 24.29.
(Courtesy: Los Angeles Times)
Given what she has meant to the sport and for society at large, her presence on the team is timely and after everything she has gone through in the past year, it is well deserved.
She is the epitome of black girl magic.
(Courtesy: Swimming World)
Afterward, she reflected on what her ultimate end game was.
“Even though I didn’t make the 100, my goal was to make the Olympic team” she said.
“I am just so happy to accomplish part of my goal, plans don’t always go as you would want them to, but I am glad I could walk away with my head held high.”
The longest race of the night was the Men’s 1500 Freestyle, the race equivalent to a 5k run that can be done in about 15 minutes and Bobby Finke of Florida dominating the field at 14:46.06 with Michael Brinegar accompanying him to Tokyo at 15:00.87.
What a week it has been in Omaha.
The passing of the torch from the old generation to the new being a major theme with names such as Dressel, Andrew, Huske, and Grimes looking to carry on the rich tradition started by the likes of Phelps, Lochte, Ledecky, and Manuel.
We saw the best of the best and expect more magic to be created in Tokyo in July.
After a year of turmoil and uncertainty due to the pandemic, the trials signified a sense of return to normalcy that all of us have been yearning for, especially the athletes and fans.
You also saw the best of what sports are and got to see the athletes’ humanity both in and out of the pool speaking their truth on everything from the pandemic to mental health to social justice.
This is what sports is all about and why we are drawn to it in the beginning because it goes well beyond what the scoring system says.
It is about the human element and the stories of what the athletes have to sacrifice in order to get to this place and what it means for them in the long run.
This was an unforgettable experience, one that is hard to top.
The results are as follows:
- Men’s 50 Freestyle
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- Caeleb Dressel sets new American Record at 21.04
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- Women’s 50 Freestyle
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- Simone Manuel punches her ticket to Tokyo in grand style at 24.29
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- Men’s 1500 Freestyle
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- Bobby Finke comes in at 14:46.06
A complete list of the 53 member Olympic roster is available online at usaswimming.org
The entire U.S. Olympic Swim Team opens training camp on June 27 in Hawaii. This training camp will include a virtual media day on Thursday, July 8.
The Olympic Games pool competition will take place July 24-August 1 at the Tokyo Aquatics Centre, followed by the Aug. 4-5 open water events at the Odaiba Marine Park.
Until next time Omaha, godspeed.
