ATHENS – Gary Hall goes for gold in the 50-meter freestyle today but he hasn’t been able to put to rest his disappointment over being left off the U.S. 4×100 relay team that took a disappointing third Sunday night.
Hall wanted to make it clear that he has no animosity toward Michael Phelps, who swam the second leg, or Ian Crocker, who swam a horrible leadoff leg because he was on antibiotics with a sore throat. Hall’s beef is with coach Eddie Reese.
“[Eddie] knew Michael was going to be part of the relay team and he didn’t [practice] one relay exchange,” said Hall, who has established a reputation as being one of America’s best anchor leg swimmers. “It’s important to me not to come across as bitter. But I think Eddie made poor decisions.”
Amanda Beard won gold in the 200-meter breaststroke in an Olympic record time of 2:23.37. Natalie Coughlin took a bronze in the 100-meter freestyle. Ryan Lochte finished second behind Michael Phelps in the 200-meter individual medley.