Just a quick update today. Work to do!
Phelps beats Olympic record but suffers from poor execution
Ok, let’s first congratulate Michael Phelps for becoming the most decorated Olympian of all time. But I don’t think Phelps felt that great after his 200 ‘fly last night. Not only did he drift in to his finish, losing out
on a nailed on gold medal to Chad le Clos of SouthAfrica, but he got his timing wrong into one of his turns. It’s imaginable that Michael Phelps might not be in the condition that he’s been in before, but I never thought he would lose out on race execution. It may be that he’s simply not used to tiring that much in a 200 ‘fly, but that doesn’t explain the turn. That, and his pre-race demeanour (he just didn’t look like his confident self) suggest that Michael Phelps head isn’t in the right place to perform at his best at London 2012. I don’t know why – it might be because his physical prep hasn’t gone to plan, or it might be that Ryan Lochte has punctured the feeling of invincibility that he appeared to have in the past. You’d have to ask him, and once the games are over we might hear more from him.
Jamieson and Willis Qualify 1 & 3 in the 200 Breast
I have to mention Michael Jamieson and Andrew Willis because I have an undeniable bias towards a) breastroke and b) Team GB. 
However, what I’d like to point out is that the way in which Jamieson in particular has approached the event so far. He’s been confidence, assertive and bold. In Scotland, we have a word, “gallus”, which means a bit cheeky and bold. He has a touch of that. Not too much – not arrogant, not flashy, but he seems to be revelling in the environment. That’s going to be more important tonight, because I’ve talked about expectations so much, but Britain’s history in breaststroke is well-known and people will start to look to Jamieson to live up to the legacy of Wilkie, Goodhew, Moorhouse and Gillingham among others, as well as potentially delivering Tam GB’s first gold medal in the pool. I have to say, though, I still don’t think he’s favourite. Jamieson will know that Gyurta is the man to beat, and that he’s still the slight underdog. I think, and hope, that he’ll enjoy that…
Oh, and kudos to Le Clos for letting it all out on the podium, and to his dad for being the proudest man alive!
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