2016 US Olympic Swimming Trials: What to Watch for on Day 7

Day 7 of the Olympic swim trials will be the penultimate day of what has been one of the most exciting and anticipated events of the Olympic trials.

While much of the team has taken shape, there are still some questions remaining and room for some upsets.

Fans have seen the return of some familiar faces, such as veteran Olympians Michael Phelps and Missy Franklin, as well as the arrival of some rising stars, such as Conor Dwyer, who have been dominant forces in the trials. Franklin told USA Swimming that even though she has numerous medals on her shelf, she is still feeling the Olympic pressure. 

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I think I am feeling more pressure than I ever have before, but that’s all part of the process, learning how to deal with it and move forward. All I can do is the best I can do. I had a race strategy, and I went out and did it. It just wasn’t good enough this time.

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The biggest story on Friday was the showdown between Phelps and Ryan Lochte. Every sport is defined by a great rivalry—horse racing had Affirmed and Alydar, baseball has the Red Sox and the Yankees and swimming has Lochte and Phelps. 

They did not disappoint. Phelps prevailed in the 200-meter individual medley in 1:55.91, while Lochte finished in 1:56.22. 

There was a lot of action on Friday for Day 6, and Day 7 is promising to be equally thrilling. Let's see what the highlights of Day 7 are shaping up to be on Saturday.

Will Saturday Be a Competition Between the Past and the Future?

There has been no shortage of star power at the Olympic trials and with so many new faces, it looks as though Team USA could be a dominant force in swimming for years to come. On Saturday, fans will get treated to a showdown between veteran Franklin, who took gold in the 200-meter backstroke at the 2012 Olympic Games, and Maya DiRado, a star on the rise.

Nati Harnik/Associated Press

Both women have already qualified for Rio and will be shooting for additional events. It is worth noting, however, that Franklin could lose this battle and still win the war. DiRado is retiring from competition in September of this year.

DiRado turned in a stellar performance on Friday to take her heat in the 200-meter backstroke in 2:08.14 with a comfortable margin. She will coast into Saturday's finals with confidence.

Not to be outdone, Franklin took her heat in 2:08.63, proving that she is still a major force to be reckoned with. 

Can Phelps Regain Some of His Olympic Glory?

Mention the men’s butterfly event and one name comes to mind: Michael Phelps.

Phelps has made history and will head to Rio as the first male swimmer to compete in five Olympics. Much of his remarkable success has come in the butterfly at various distances. Of his 22 Olympic medals, six of them come in either the 100-meter or 200-meter.

He has already stamped his ticket to Rio in the 200-meter butterfly and will be looking to add even more accolades at the end of an already legendary career.

Can Leah Smith Defeat Katie Ledecky in the 800-Meter Freestyle?

Katie Ledecky and Leah Smith turned in one of the most impressive and thrilling performances of the trials on Monday in the 400-meter freestyle. While the veteran Ledecky got the better of her rival, both women turned in sizzling times—Ledecky completed in 3:58.59 and Smith was a hair behind in 4:00.65. Their budding rivalry, however, is a friendly one, as she told Steve Beideck of UPI.com. 

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I'm probably more pumped about her race than mine. She pushed me there, and I know I need that, and I know after this week we're going to have to get back to work and we'll get to train together.

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Al Bello/Getty Images

Ledecky, known for her stunning upset gold medal performance in the 800-meter freestyle at the London Games, will be back on Saturday in her strongest event: the 800-meter freestyle. Smith, her new friend and rival, will be there as well.

While the action may be wrapping up for the Olympic swimming trials, Saturday will be a day of excitement not to be missed. Tune in on Saturday and get a glimpse of the future Rio Olympic team.