Olympic Swimming 2012: Why Allison Schmitt Is Top US Swimmer at London Olympics

With all the attention surrounding Michael Phelps and his medal pursuit, Allison Schmitt has been overshadowed.  Make no mistake about it, though; at this year's Olympic Games, Schmitt is clearly the best swimmer that the U.S. has.

Phelps and Schmitt are training partners.  They both have two gold medals as well.  However, Schmitt has been even more dominating than Phelps or any other US swimmer so far in the London Olympics.

Gearing Up For London

When Schmitt was in the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, she helped the US women's swimming team earn a bronze medal.

Going into the London Olympics though, Schmitt was already far above her level back in 2008.  She managed to set an American record at the U.S. Olympic trials in the 200-meter freestyle.  She ended up qualifying for the 200-meter freestyle, 400-meter freestyle, the 400-meter freestyle relay and the 800-meter freestyle relay.

Her record trial run for the 200-meter freestyle would transition into the Olympics.

Schmitt was a dominate competitor even before the Games began.

Record Breaking

Allison Schmitt has won two gold, a silver and a bronze medal.  Her gold medal wins were more than just medals—she managed to set new Olympic records with her performances.

The first gold medal she won was on Tuesday night in the 200-meter freestyle.  She set an Olympic-record time with 1:53.61.  Phelps won his 15th gold medal of his career that night as well, overshadowing Schmitt's stellar performance.

The second gold medal that Schmitt earned at this year's Olympics came during the women's 4x200 relay on Wednesday.  Her performance was impressive, to say the least.  The United States was trailing Australia by half a second entering the final part of the race.  Schmitt was able to out-perform rival Alicia Coutts by more than two seconds and not only achieved another gold medal for the U.S., but she also helped in setting a new Olympic record of 7:42.92.

"I knew it was close, neck and neck the whole race," Schmitt said over at ESPN.com. "I just wanted to swim my own race. I swam a great 200 last night, and I just wanted to keep up the energy and bring home the gold for the U.S."

Schmitt was able to accomplish what she wanted—bringing home a gold medal for the U.S.  She also ended up proving just how good of a swimmer she really is.  To come from being behind and not only win the gold but to set a new Olympic record is a feat unto itself.

Not the Center of Attention

Schmitt has clearly been getting overshadowed by some of her fellow teammates, which is why she has been slightly under the radar.

The U.S. women's swimming team as a whole has been dominate throughout the Olympic Games.  With Rebecca Soni setting a world-record time in the 200 backstroke semifinals on Wednesday and all the attention that Missy Franklin has been getting, it's easy to see why Schmitt has been relatively low-key.

Bob Bowman, Schmitt's coach, believes that the lack of attention has helped her.

"That actually has helped in her development because she doesn't have the pressure and expectations," Bowman said over at ESPN.com. "Now, she can't really play that game anymore."

Not being the focus of the media has clearly paid off for Schmitt.  Managing to win a medal in every event that she has been in so far, Schmitt is the swimmer who should be the center of attention.

While Michael Phelps has earned himself several medals in this year's Olympic Games, his training partner Allison Schmitt has done equally well for herself.  With a dominating comeback in the women's 4x200 relay and a new Olympic record set for her impressive 200-meter freestyle victory, Schmitt should be considered the top U.S. swimmer.