Michael Phelps poised to succeed in final Olympics
Everything you need to know ahead of the 1st heat in Rio
By Benjamin Blum
Here's a guide to what, who and when to watch the swimming events at the Rio Olympics. All of the events will be live streamed at cbc.ca/olympics and on the CBC Rio 2016 app.
Phelps' final laps
This will be Michael Phelps' final Olympics, and the Games' most decorated athlete will once again be a podium favourite. The 31-year-old American is confirmed for three individual events, with Reuters reporting he will also be a part of the 4x100-metre freestyle relay.
Phelps has the chance to make even more Olympic history at his fifth Games. With a gold medal in either the 100 fly or 200 IM, Phelps would join discus thrower Al Oerter and long jumper Carl Lewis as the only Olympians to win four straight gold medals in the same individual event.
While he originally retired after the 2012 London Olympics, Phelps will be back in the pool after a tumultuous few years. However, he's not the only U.S. Olympian expected to make waves in Rio. Nineteen-year-old Katie Ledecky, who won gold at her debut Olympics four years ago, appears more than ready to take over Phelps' mantle as the leader of the U.S. swim team.
Canada's chances in the pool
Canadian swimming may have a star in the making in Penny Oleksiak. The 16-year-old from Toronto owns three Canadian records and will try to become Canada's first female swimmer to win a medal in 20 years.
Oleksiak will be buoyed by a strong contingent of Canadian swimmers, including fellow debutantes Emily Overholt and Santo Condorelli as well as two-time Olympic medallist Ryan Cochrane.
Leaders and long shots
At the London Olympics, the United States won 31 medals (nearly triple that of second-place Japan) and are the projected favourites in Rio. China and Australia, led by Ye Shiwen and Sun Yang, and James Magnussen and Cate Campbell, respectively, should field strong teams as well.
With American domination once again likely, rivalries within the U.S. team should make for engaging events. Ledecky and Missy Franklin will compete in two events, with Ryan Lochte renewing his rivalry with Phelps. South Africa's Chad le Clos, who edged out Phelps for gold in 2012, should make the 200 butterfly exciting.
Canada's form has steadily improved at each Games since Cochrane ended the Canadian medal drought which lasted from 1996 to 2008. While challenging the U.S. overall is still unlikely, the Canadians are poised to eclipse their three medals from London.
Events to watch
Overwhelmed by the sheer number of swimming events? Here are our recommendations for what to watch during the Rio Olympics:
- Women's 100 butterfly: heats and semis Aug. 6 (12:28 p.m. and 9:14 p.m. ET), final Aug. 7 (9:03 p.m. ET)
- Women's 400 freestyle: heats and final Aug. 7 (1:33 p.m. and 10:01 p.m. ET)
- Men's 4x100 freestyle relay: heats and final Aug. 7 (2:05 p.m. and 10:54 p.m. ET)
- Men's 100 freestyle: heats and semis Aug. 9 (12:02 p.m. and 9:03 p.m. ET), final Aug. 10 (10:03 p.m. ET)
- Men's 200 individual medley: heats and semis Aug. 10 (1:09 p.m. and 10:29 p.m. ET), final Aug. 10 (10:01 p.m. ET)
- Men's 100 butterfly: heats and semis Aug. 11 (1:16 p.m. and 10:34 p.m. ET), final Aug. 12 (9:12 ET)
- Men's 1500 freestyle: heats Aug. 12 (12:40 p.m. ET), final Aug. 13 (9:11 p.m. ET)
For a full schedule, click here.
With files from Reuters