BEIJING – The last thing in the world the United States needed was a kick in the rear of their LZR Racer Speedos. And yet, sometimes the spirit of competition delivers fortuitous luxuries anyway.
“The Americans? We’re going to smash them. That’s what we came here for.”
The we in that statement is the French men’s 4x100 freestyle relay team. And the who making the proclamation was Frenchman Alain Bernard, who holds the current world record in the 100-meter freestyle. And the statement? Well, somewhere U.S. Swimming head coach Mark Schubert is buying a bottle of wine for Bernard, who just gave Schubert’s team the perfect gift only two days before the start of competition.
Motivation.
While the U.S. men’s team undoubtedly had it going into these Beijing Games, it was only a few months ago that Schubert was seemingly worried about success going to the heads of his men’s team. Since the 2007 world championships, there were whispers that this might be the best American men’s team ever. And that after the Beijing Games, it might be known as the best collection of men’s swimmers in Olympic history.
Go USA! Beat those little Frenchies silly!
Keep articles down to 3 paragraphs please!
