U.S. Swim Trials Provide Plenty of Drama and Intrigue Early On

Added by Gregg Snyder on June 27, 2012.

The rivalry between Michael Phelps (L.) and Ryan Lochte is just one of the stories at US Swim Trials this week.

This week, if you have tuned in to NBC between 8-9pm EST, you’ve seen just how competitive the United States Swim Team is. The Olympic Trials are underway and there is no lack for drama.

The most decorated Olympian, Michael Phelps has qualified for two events in London so far. However, he has not won either event. The rivalry between Phelps and Ryan Lochte continues to heat up. The two squared off in the 400-meter individual medley final on Monday. Both swimmer qualified by finished first and second. Lochte’s time of 4:07.06 while Phelps came in at 4:07.89.  By finishing second, Phelps became the first American male swimmer to make four U.S. Olympic teams.

Lochte and Phelps were back in the pool Tuesday night, this time in the 200-meter freestyle semi-final. Not as much drama being it was not a final competition, but the race was down to the wire. Lochte once again topped Phelps. Lochte touched the wall at 1:46.25 with Phelps just short at 1:46.27.

The two stars will continue to battle in the pool throughout trials and again in London. This is certainly a rivalry to watch.

Aside from Lochte and Phelps, there is plenty of other stories at the trials.

After failing to qualify the for the 2008 Olympic team, Dana Vollmer came out and made a statement on Monday in her 100-meter butterfly qualifying heat. Vollmer had the crowd on the edge of it’s seat with a near world record time.  She did set the American record.

Tuesday night, Vollmer showed that was no fluke as she won the event final to qualify for London.

Chloe Sutton, a former Olympian in open water swimming, qualified for her first Olympics in the pool by finishing second in the 400-meter freestyle.

The men’s 100-meter breaststroke may be the biggest story yet. The final saw two men with comeback stories of their own qualify and show they truly are back. Brendan Hansen, a two-time Olympian who nearly quit swimming  after the ’08 Games, won the final to qualify for London. Joining him in London will be Eric Shanteau who finished right behind him. Shanteau was diagnosed with cancer four years ago.

As you can see, there are plenty of interesting stories going on at the US Olympic Team Trials in Omaha, Nebraska this week. The trials continue all week, so don’t miss out on this intense event as more and more athletes qualify for their spot in London.