Beijing Olympic Games

Updated: 2008-07-07

(BEIJING, July 7) — The 2008 US swimming trials came to a close Sunday night in Omaha, Nebraska. The week was full of headlines with 9 world and 21 American records rewritten over the course of the eight-day competition.

In the final round of the women’s 50m freestyle, 41-year-old Dara Torres broke the American record for the second time in two days, lowering her previous time by .13 seconds to 24.25. Jessica Hardy finished second with a time of 24.82.

In the men’s 1500m freestyle final third seed Peter Vanderkaay took first-place clocking 14:45.54. American record-holder Larsen Jensen came in second at 14:50.80. Top seed Erik Vendt placed fourth with a time of 15:07.78.

The complete roster for the 2008 US Olympic swim team was announced shortly after the conclusion of Sunday’s competition. In addition to 43 athletes named to the team, the Olympic coaching staff was also finalized. The entire US Olympics team and coaching staff will travel to Palo Alto, California on July 7 for training prior to departure for Beijing.

The Olympic swimming competition will take place on August 9 through August 17 at the Beijing National Aquatic Center (Water Cube). The men’s and women’s 10K Olympic marathon swim will take place on August 20 and 21 at the Shunyi Olympic Rowing-Canoeing Park in Beijing.

New World Records

2008 US Swimming Trials, June 29- July 6

Swimmer

Event

New Record

Former Record

Michael Phelps

400m IM (F)

4:05.25

4:06.22 (Michael Phelps USA) 1 Apr 2007

Katie Hoff

400m IM (F)

4:31.12

4:31.46 (Stephanie Rice AUS) 22 Mar 2008

Hayley McGregory

100m Back (P)

59.15

59.21 (Natalie Coughlin USA) 17 Feb 2008

Natalie Coughlin

100m Back (P)

59.03

59.15 (Hayley McGregory USA) 30 Jun 2008

Natalie Coughlin

100m Back (F)

58.97

59.03 (Natalie Coughlin USA) 30 Jun 2008

Aaron Peirsol

100m Back (F)

52.89

52.98 (Aaron Peirsol USA) 27 Mar 2007

Aaron Peirsol

200m Back (F)

1:54.32

1:54.32 (Ryan Lochte USA) 30 Mar 2007

Michael Phelps

200m IM (F)

1:54.80

1:54.98 (Michael Phelps USA) 29 Mar 2007

Margaret Hoelzer

200m Back (F)

2:06.09

2:06.39 (Kristy Coventry ZIM) 16 Feb 2008

P = preliminary SF = semifinal F = final