Seven Years Later, USA 400 Medley Relay Stalking Tough-To-Reach World Record

By nature, world records are not easy to come by. Typically, we’ll see a handful each year, and to establish one is a pinnacle achievement, a pronouncement of unique status in that athlete’s chosen profession. For this reason, it remains satisfying to see global standards from the shiny suit days get the whiteout treatment.

Sure, some records from the artificial era will remain for quite some time. It’s difficult to foresee Liu Zige’s mark of 2:01.81 in the 200 butterfly or Paul Biedermann’s 1:42.00 in the 200 freestyle going anytime soon. Yet, the rapidly approaching Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro will likely bring at least a few world records, and one under pressure is the men’s 400 medley relay.

When the American collection of Aaron Peirsol, Eric Shanteau, Michael Phelps and David Walters stormed to a clocking of 3:27.28 at the 2009 World Championships, more than two seconds were clipped from the previous standard. More, the performance figured to last in the books for quite a lengthy time, such was the aggregate effort put forth. Seven years after it was established, the medley relay standard is attainable.

For starters, anything less than a gold medal in the 400 medley relay would be a surprise for Team USA. While other nations have the ability to match a portion of the American arsenal, no country can bring the accumulated power of the United States. Although Great Britain has Adam Peaty on breaststroke, his superiority on the second leg is not enough to offset the Stars and Stripes. Other squads, too, have stalwart legs, but also feature glaring weaknesses – Australia and France, to name a pair. The United States? Strong across the board.

Ryan Murphy [Patrick B. Kraemer]

Each member of the presumable U.S. entry for the medley relay is considered a medal favorite in the 100 distance of his specialty stroke. As the Olympics beckon, Ryan Murphy is considered the co-favorite for gold in the 100 backstroke (alongside Aussie Mitch Larkin) while Phelps is the top choice for victory in the 100 butterfly, an event he’s captured at the past three Olympics. In Kevin …

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