America’s strong suit

More than three decades since he became the first athlete to win seven gold medals in a single Olympic Games, Mark Spitz is envious.

Specifically, he wants one of the snazzy Speedo suits swimmers will be wearing at the 2008 Olympics, a suit that makes its wearer look like a superhero and that was designed to significantly reduce drag.

Of course, Michael Phelps, the 23-year-old superstar who four years ago at the Athens Games claimed eight medals, will wear the suit. He tied a record for medals at a single Olympics.

Phelps has qualified for five individual events and three relays at the Beijing Games, creating the opportunity to surpass the six gold medals he won in Athens. Speaking at the Olympic trials in early July, about a month before the start of the Games, Phelps took a grounded approach to his goals.

“I think everyone tries to compete for an Olympic year,” he said. “You get that experience once every four years. You have world championships every other year, you have nationals every year, but this is the Olympic Games. You get the chance to really go out there and represent your country, and I think everyone is trying to prepare themselves the best way they can.

“I think having gone through everything I went through from 2003-04 leading up to the Olympics, I think I am more relaxed now than I was four years ago. That is good for me. I think the more relaxed I am, the better I am.”

Phelps spoke with Spitz during the July events in Omaha, Neb., and called having Spitz’s support “pretty special.” Spitz – after laughing and saying his first impression of the trials left him coveting one of those Speedo LZR Racer suits – spoke highly of Phelps’ chances to be weighed down by gold in Beijing.

“I would say that he has a great chance of doing it,” Spitz said. “Maybe even a better chance (than four years ago), let’s put it that way.”

In addition to Phelps, the U.S. men’s team is also headlined by Phelps’ friend, Ryan Lochte, who is poised to threaten Phelps’ bid for gold in the 200 individual medley.

While Phelps is expected to dominate the story lines from the pool at Beijing, plenty of eyes will be trained on Dara Torres, 41.

She is the feel-good story for the 40-and-older crowd, proof that perseverance and dedication can shine at any age.

She is set to become the first U.S. swimmer to compete in five Olympics (previously 1984, 1988, 1992, 2000), having qualified for the 50-meter freestyle.

“I don’t think it’s a surprise that she is doing so well,” said former champion Jenny Thompson, who swam with Torres in the 1992 and 2000 Olympics. “She’s a tremendously hard worker and very talented and compulsive about training and nutrition and sleep and doing all the right things. Age is sort of irrelevant.”

Amanda Beard will be appearing in her fourth Summer Games, seeking to add to her medal stash of two gold, four silver and one bronze, and Natalie Coughlin is also back for another Olympics – in 2004 she claimed two gold medals, along with two silver and one bronze.

•Nike will allow its swimmers to wear Speedo’s sleek LZR Racer instead of its own suit at the Beijing Olympics.

Nike spokesman Dean Stoyer said the company felt it was fair to extend the offer it made in June allowing its swimmers to wear Speedo’s suit at the U.S. Olympic Trials.