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Unless there is a disaster, it is not a question of winning a medal for Michael Phelps. It is a question of how many medals. Michael is aiming for 8 Gold medals, and if he does it, he will be considered the greatest single-game Olympic swimmer in history.
Natalie Coughlin - Backstroke, Freestyle, Butterfly
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Natalie Coughlin is the top US contender for a backstroke medal. Don't count her out for a shot at a medal in other events - like the 200 IM - she is that good. She will also be a strong relay member, possibly swimming butterfly instead of backstroke on the medley relay. Coughlin may be small, but other swimmers say that, pound for pound, she is the strongest swimmer in the water.
Katie Hoff - Freestyle, IM
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Katie Hoff is a contender for freestyle medals at 200, 400, and 800 meters as well as in the IM's. She is mature and ready to go for gold in 5 different events, quite a feat! Assuming she finals in all of her events, she will race over 5,000 meters.
Ryan Lochte - Backstroke, IM
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Ryan is fast. Ryan is good. Ryan is GREAT at the most important events, like an Olympic Games. He can race with anyone in the IM's and backstroke events, and on the right day, will beat anyone. He is the most liekly swimmer to upset Michael Phelps goal of 8 Gold medals; the IM races will be amazing!
Brendan Hansen - Breaststroke
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Although failing to make the team in the 200 breast, Brendan Hansen is the 2008 Olympic favorite for gold in the 100 breaststroke. Will someone step up and keep that medal out of his hands? The only one that ought ot be able to do it is Japan's Kitajima.
Aaron Piersol - Backstroke
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Aaron Piersol is the #1 backstroker at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. He holds the world record in both the 100 and 200, but he has teammates in both races - Grevers in the 100, Lochte in the 200 - that want Gold medals, too. And Lochte is tied with Aaron for that world record in the 200 back.
Rebecca Soni - Breaststroke
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Rebecca is among those that will challenge Australia's Breaststroke queen, Leisel Jones, for a medal in Beijing. It is a long shot, but on the right day you can never be sure who will win, and Soni has the skill and drive to be in the race in the 200 Breaststroke. Now taht she is in the 100, she may make a play for a medal there as well.
Kate Ziegler - Freestyle
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Kate has a shot at an 800 Freestyle medal - maybe the gold one! She may have to swim a little different type of race than she did at Olympic trials, possibly start the race a little slower and try to run down people in the middle of the race.
Margaret Hoelzer - Backstroke
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