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Gary Hall, Jr. Ready to Face the Sprinting Newbies

Posted May 2, 2008 at 06:00 PM by Michael J. Sedor

Section: Beijing 2008, Events, Aquatics, Featured Writers, Michael Sedor

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Beware 50m men’s freestyle johnny-come-latelies. The 33-year-old Gary Hall, Jr. is tanned, rested, and ready to return himself to the the world record-breaking arena. The two-time defending 50m gold medalist is focused on his three-peat. He told Reuters that “I feel really good, I’m fit, a little bit more training and I’m ready.”

Ready to break the 50m world record for the first time. An achievement that has eluded him despite his big meet success. Tom Jager’s 21.81 world was set in 1990 and remained the standard until Alexander Popov’s astounding 2000 21.64 swim. That record stood until February of the year. Since then it’s been eclipsed by four swimmers, all sporting the NASA-designed space-age Speedo LZR swimsuit. But Hall is ready and hopeful, “I’m trying to convince myself it applies to me too, that when I put on this magic suit I will go a low 21.”

We are too. So look out Bernard, Leveaux, Bousquet, and Sullivan; the sheriff is back in town and he’s ready to win. We can’t wait to see the times posted at June 29-July 6 U.S. Olympic Swimming Trials in Omaha.

In a separate Reuters article Hall also raised more suspicions concerning the dropping times by explaining “There’s obviously something there besides technology.” Nevertheless he continues to worry that the Australian regimen of thrice daily drug testing during the Olympics could turn swimming into cycling or baseball (or track, we add) where “They’re more interested in testing someone for taking cold remedies than they are those taking designer drugs.” Here here Gary. Everytime we read a Gary Hall, Jr. interview we’re refreshed by his frankness, honesty, and forthrightness and wish every athlete could be as intelligently outspoken.