At the 2012 Olympic Games, it just might take a world record and sub-52-second performance to win the men’s 100-meter backstroke. Here are just a few of the men who could show up in the final heat of the event and challenge for a medal:
Matt Grevers will head into the Olympic Games with the fastest time of 2012, which he achieved at the U.S. Swimming Olympic Team Trials when he touched the wall in 52.08. The time is just 14-hundredths of a second slower than the 100 backstroke world record, set by Aaron Peirsol in 2009 before the banning of high-tech swimsuits. Grevers won silver in the event at the 2008 Olympic Games, and he’ll be a top contender for gold in 2012.
Nick Thoman
will be the second representative for the United States, and his time of 52.86 ranks him third in the world in 2012. Thoman finished fourth at the 2011 World Championships in the event, and he’ll be looking to team up with Grevers for a one-two finish in London.
Camille Lacourt of France is likely to be one of the top contenders for gold, as well. With a time of 52.75, the 27-year-old will head into the Games as the owner of the second-fastest time of 2012. Lacourt is the defending World Champion in the event.
Ryosuke Irie
of Japan will be another 100 backstroke swimmer to keep an eye on, though the 22-year-old is a better 200-meter backstroke swimmer. Irie has clocked in at 52.91 this year, good for fourth-fastest in the world. He finished third at the 2011 World Championships, and Irie is certainly one to watch in London.
Liam Tancock
of Great Britain will arrive at the Olympic swim meet with the seventh-fastest time of 2012 at 53.16. Tancock finished sixth in the 100 backstroke at the 2008 Olympic Games — a placing he matched at the 2011 World Championships. Tancock will have the support of the British faithful while swimming in his home country. Could the 2012 Olympic Games mark a breakthrough performance for the 27-year-old?
The final of the men’s 100 backstroke is scheduled to take place on July 30, 2012.
Read more from this author: The Last Five Men to Win the 100-Meter Backstroke at the Olympic Games
Sandra Johnson was a competitive swimmer for more than 15 years before she began coaching. She is a longtime Olympic fan, and while working for the United States Olympic Committee in Colorado Springs, Colo., she had the opportunity to immerse herself in the Olympic Movement. Follow her on Twitter: @SandraJohnson46
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