USA World Champ Swimmers - Sprinting Back to Form

While the U.S. women have enjoyed success at the past few Worlds and Olympics in the 800m freestyle relay, they have come up short in the 400m freestyle relay. But this summer at the ConocoPhillips USA Swimming National Championships and then again at Mutual of Omaha Pan Pacific Championships, individual sprint performances from Amanda Weir and Natalie Coughlin have helped return the American women to form, and they are looking to get back to the top of the podium at Worlds. Weir set the American record in the 100 freestyle at Nationals (53.58), and Coughlin swam the fastest 100 of her career (53.83) in winning gold at Pan Pacs.

“I'm encouraged to see Natalie swim so well so early in the season (in January at the Toyota Grand Prix Series meet) in Long Beach,” said John Collins, head coach of the U.S. women’s team. “Natalie and Amanda's swims last summer give us a legitimate shot in the sprint relays. I'm optimistic.”

More on the 2007 FINA World Championships - Melbourne, 17 March - 1 April 2007 - Including links to full results.

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