Jason Lezak: A Swim for the Ages
The relay is a team sport but Jason Lezak made it an incredible personal moment. It was the men’s 4 X 100 freestyle relay with Michael Phelps on the team. The race would be part of Michael Phelps’ attempt at eight Olympic gold medals for the American team. However, the French team had vowed to “smash” the American team. It was the swimming equivalent of “trash talking”.
The French team was anchored by Alain Bernard, one of the fastest men in freestyle. His talent and speed are well known. He has been a world record holder. At the turn for the last fifty meters, Jason Lezak trailed. The outcome looked inevitable. The task looked impossible - to catch one of the fastest men in the world.
Incredibly, Jason Lezak did it. With Jason Lezak closing the distance, it still looked impossible. But… he did not quit. Jason Lezak touched the wall ahead of Alain Bernard:
“…He then out-touched Bernard at the wall by eight one-hundredths of a second, giving the Americans, and Phelps, the leadoff swimmer, the victory and the world record. In setting the new standard by nearly four seconds, Lezak swam 46.06, the fastest split in history by almost three-quarters of a second and faster than Bernard’s by two-thirds of a second.”
link: Lezak’s swim is one for the ages
It was American gold. It was a race for the ages. Kudos to the American men’s relay team. - This is a race that will be replayed - and even the replay is absolutely thrilling.
Catherine Forsythe
Tags: Beijing, Jason Lezak, kudos, Michael Phelps, Olympics, relay, swimming
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