U.S., Australia Make It an Event

The chemistry and charisma created by the high level of competition between the U.S. and Australian Olympic swimming teams at Sydney in 2000 did not go unnoticed.

Thus, a new event has been created by USA Swimming to take advantage of the natural rivalry between the two countries: On April 6, 2003, the U.S. will take on Australia in the “Duel in the Pool,” a dual-meet format at the Natatorium in Indianapolis. It will be broadcast by NBC.

“There is no better rivalry in Olympic sports today than the U.S.A. vs. Australia in swimming,” said Chuck Wielgus, executive director of USA Swimming.

At the last two Olympics, the U.S. led the overall and gold medal count. Of the 34 long course world records, 19 are held by either Americans or Australians. Australia boasts the best-known swimmer in the world, multiple-world record holder Ian Thorpe, and the U.S. counters with world-record holders Lenny Krayzelburg, Aaron Peirsol, Michael Phelps and Tom Dolan.

The special event follows the U.S. Spring Nationals by one day, which is also scheduled for Indianapolis.

World-record swims at this one-day meet will earn a payday of $25,000, and Krayzelburg believes the head-to-head format between the two countries will bring out the best in the swimmers.

“Most definitely,” said Krayzelburg, who won three gold medals in Sydney and is nearly recovered from shoulder surgery. “We’re always fighting for the No. 1 spot. To bring a meet like this to this country is very exciting.”

Qualification for American swimmers will come from, in part, the Summer Nationals in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., Aug. 12-17. Each country’s entry list will be a minimum of 26 men and 26 women, featuring 2003 World Championship qualifiers and other discretionary selections.