ATHENS – By the close of business today, we will know a whole lot more about the burgeoning legend of Michael Phelps and, if all goes according to plan, the worldwide curiosity with Baltimore’s favorite son will take a giant leap forward.
As if that’s even possible.
At 10:28 a.m., local time (3:28 a.m. in New York), Phelps will jump into the Aquatic Center pool for the first time in these Olympics, under a broiling mid-morning sun and an even more intense international spotlight. No single American swimmer has enjoyed – or endured – such widespread scrutiny since Mark Spitz.
But no American swimmer has ever seemed better equipped to deal with all of fame’s foibles, either.
“I just can’t wait for this meet to start,” Phelps said earlier this week. “At the end of the day, the best part about any swim meet is trying to swim faster than you’ve ever swam before, and trying to swim faster than the other people in the pool. I’m ready. I’ve been ready. The time is right.”
Phelps’ quest to equal – or better – Spitz’ record of seven gold medals, set at the 1972 Olympics at Munich, begins in an event he has dominated for two years. Phelps owns the top four times ever recorded in the 400-meter individual medley, including the current world mark of 4:08.41 set in Long Beach, Calif., at last month’s Olympic swim trials.
“It’s certainly an event I feel comfortable with,” said the 19-year-old Phelps, who will surely qualify for the 400 IM finals, which will be contested today at 1:02 p.m., New York time. “So it’s also an event I think will help me really get into the flow of this competition.”
Though Phelps is by far the most renowned athlete in the meet – if not at the entire Games – there are other Americans who will be vying to build the U.S. medal total quickly. The women’s 4 x 100-meter relay team will also be looking for a place on the medal stand.
Two other notables will also be featured today: Jenny Thompson, who holds more medals (10, eight of them gold) than any American woman swimmer, will make her meet debut in the 100 butterfly, while Ian Thorpe, the Australian sensation who dominated attention in 2000 in Sydney the way Phelps is in Athens, will compete for the 400 freestyle, an event he has dominated for four years.
But everyone knows all eyes will be on Phelps.
“It’s as it should be,” Thorpe said. “Michael has been that good this year. That’s why I think these swimming days will be so exciting, maybe the most excitement ever at a swim meet, Olympic or otherwise.”