An established stronghold for the US, swimming will likely account for a significant number of our medals in these games. With superstars Micheal Phelps, Katie Hoff, Ian Crocker and Dara Torres coverage will be intense and frequent. In fact many races have been scheduled for the morning to allow live coverage in the US during prime time (China is about 12 hours ahead). World records have been falling all year and there’s no reason to think that will be any different at these games.

Michael Phelps — The biggest US superstar of the games is definitely Michael Phelps. Deemed the human fish, his large feet, broad frame and long arms give him the model swimmers’ physique. He took home a whopping 6 gold medals in Athens and is expected to match or up that total this year. Within the first week, he is likely to break the record for the most Olympic medals ever received. Of the 8 Olympic golds he’s shooting for this month, the most elusive will likely be the 100 fly. Teammate Ian Crocker holds the world record in the event, although in head to head matchups Phelps usually wins.

How many world records will Michael Phelps break during the 2008 Olympics?

Dara Torres – The romantics call Dara the best human interest story in these Olympics, the cynics say she’s doping. Beijing will mark Dara’s record 5th Olympics. The 41 year old mother is not only attending the Olympics but has a good shot at medaling. She won both the 50m and the 100m events in the trials. She insists she is clean and has sought after stricter drug testing to prove herself but the rumors continue to swirl.

How many medals will Dara Torres win at the Beijing Olympics?

LZR suits – Speedo is claiming 44 of the last 48 world records because they were all made with its new super tech swimsuit, the LZR Racer. Designed to keep swimmers in perfect form while in the water, its been called ‘technological doping’ (mostly by those who can’t wear it). Its hard to say how much of the records are due to a placebo effect or if these suits really make that big of a difference. Whatever the reason, its clear that swimmers are much faster with them on. Many teams have broken their traditional contracts to switch to Speedo while other sponsors (like Nike) have simply released their athletes to do as they please.

Will all the Gold Medalists in Swimming be wearing Speedo’s new LZR suit?

More swimming questions

More Swimming background

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