London Olympics swimming: Three battles that one shouldn't miss

Whoever said that a swimming pool is the coolest place to be in during summer, will have to take back their words. All the top swimmers of the world are geared up to fight their battles at the London Aquatic Center which will soar the temperature of the water to the maximum. Here is a list of some events that I suggest one should not miss:

1) Legend vs Prodigy: The Legend, Cesar Cielo, will be entering the pool this summer with the sole aim of defending his world record timing and claiming gold medals in the 50 as well as 100 meters freestyle. The Brazilian is the first man to clock under 47 seconds in 100 meters freestyle and under 21 seconds in 50 meters freestyle. But this time around he has to watch out for young Australian James Magnussen, who is tipped to become one of the best Olympian swimmer by former Olympic champion Ian Thorpe. James is currently the 100 meters freestyle world champion with a time of 47.10 and has earned the nickname “The Missile”.

Both these swimmers are going to compete against each other in 50 and 100 meters freestyle in London. My prediction is: Cesar to win the 50 meters and James to win the 100 meters race. Regardless of the result, it is surely going to be one of the best races this summer. The 100 meters freestyle finals is on 1^st August and 50 meters freestyle finals is on 3^rd August.

Suggestion – Don’t blink, they swim really FAST and you don’t want to miss out on the action!

2) Will it be a Threepeat?: Defending Olympic breaststroke champion, Kosuke Kitajima will be eyeing a repeat of what he did at Athens 2004 and Beijing 2008 i.e. winning gold medals with record timings in 100 and 200 meters breaststroke. The Japanese swimmer will be looking to accomplish the rare feat of winning three consecutive gold medals in the same swimming event (Only 2 swimmers have achieved this feat in the history). However, the champ will have to watch out for the two Australians, Christian Sprenger (current world record holder in 200 meters breaststroke) and Brenton Rickard (current world record holder in 100 meters breaststroke). The 100 meters finals will be held on 29^th July and 200 meters finals on 1^st August. Will the champion rise to the occasion again and do a Threepeat? Let’s wait and watch…

3) Ryan Vs Phelps: By far the most awaited face-off this summer in the pool is between Ryan Lochte and Micheal Phelps. The American team mates are all set to face off each other in the 200 and 400 meters Individual Medley. Phelps had clocked world record timings in both these events in Beijing 2008. However his 200 meters time has been bettered by Ryan in last year’s world championship and Phelps has also been beaten by Lochte in 400 meters individual medley in the U.S. trials 2012. Ryan has been little more vocal about the rivalry saying that “Phelps is only human and not a fish or anything like that”. Most of the swimming legends are tipping Ryan to topple Phelps from the throne this summer. However, I would advise them not to doubt the heart of a champion. The 400 meters individual medley finals is on 28^th July and 200 meters individual medley finals is on 2^nd August.

At every Olympics we see new champions being made in the pool and I am sure London is not going to disappoint this year either. All the other events are going to be nail biting finishes too. Watch out for champs like Stephanie Rice, Missy Franklin, Paul Biedermann and Sun Yang battling it out with their rivals, sharing the same dream of winning an Olympic medal. Catch all the action at the London Aquatic Center starting from 28^th July.