AFP, Rio De Janeiro :
Once again Michael Phelps leads the mighty United States into battle in the Olympic competition pool, where traditional rivals Australia are just one country with the Americans in their sights.
Phelps, whose record 22 Olympic medals include 18 gold, caps his career with a fifth Games appearance in Rio.
But just as he’s far from invulnerable at 31, so the United States could find itself hard-pressed to match their 2012 haul of 16 gold medals, nine silver and six bronze.
Australia, in particular, are aiming to rebound from a shocking London Games-their first since 1976 without an individual gold.
Australian coach Jacco Verhaeren, however, said the 2016 squad’s mission has nothing to do with atonement.
“I don’t think we’re here to make up for any disappointment,” he said.
“Nobody is busy with what happened or what might happen.”
Australia’s Cate Campbell arrives in Rio on a high after breaking the long-standing women’s 100m freestyle world record in July, while Cameron McEvoy is a gold medal contender in the men’s 50m and 100m free.
Once again Michael Phelps leads the mighty United States into battle in the Olympic competition pool, where traditional rivals Australia are just one country with the Americans in their sights.
Phelps, whose record 22 Olympic medals include 18 gold, caps his career with a fifth Games appearance in Rio.
But just as he’s far from invulnerable at 31, so the United States could find itself hard-pressed to match their 2012 haul of 16 gold medals, nine silver and six bronze.
Australia, in particular, are aiming to rebound from a shocking London Games-their first since 1976 without an individual gold.
Australian coach Jacco Verhaeren, however, said the 2016 squad’s mission has nothing to do with atonement.
“I don’t think we’re here to make up for any disappointment,” he said.
“Nobody is busy with what happened or what might happen.”
Australia’s Cate Campbell arrives in Rio on a high after breaking the long-standing women’s 100m freestyle world record in July, while Cameron McEvoy is a gold medal contender in the men’s 50m and 100m free.
