Tom's take

Despite third-place finish, Phelps deserves credit for terrific effort

Athlete Analysis Tom Dolan Ian Thorpe celebrates his huge victory in the 200-meter freestyle. AP

Two-time U.S. Olympian Tom Dolan, who took back-to-back gold medals in the 400 IM at Atlanta and Sydney, will analyze races for SI.com throughout the Games.

Men's 200 freestyle final

The biggest surprise to me was how fast Ian Thorpe was able to get out. I knew Pieter van den Hoogenband would get out quick but at 100 meters I was surprised that Thorpe was that close to him. At 150 meters I knew Thorpe kind of had it because he was right with Pieter and Pieter really struggled the last five to 10 meters.

You have to credit Thorpe. He did not look good in the 400. Even someone who doesn't know much about swimming wouldn't argue with that statement. But he came through here and did what he had to do. Give credit to Pieter for having the guts to take the race out and challenge people.

At the same time, Michael Phelps swam a great race, setting an American record. If he's honest with himself, that's as good a swim as he can do right now.

I honestly thought the race lived up to the hype and I would be the first one to tell you if it didn't. All the guys showed up. All three of them swam the race they were capable of swimming in that they let us see the kind of skill and talent that they have. That's not always a guarantee and it's a huge thing because it's good for fans to see. Those were some huge names on the medal stand. It's really as big a set of names as you can have up there. All three of them in their own way swam great races, and I think all three of them at the end of the day would say they were happy with what happened.

Men's 100 backstroke final

My first thought is to throw out the times for the races Sunday and Monday night. The conditions have not been conducive for records. It was windy again Monday and you could see the swimmers went much faster than the times indicated. Everybody needs to realize there would be a lot more records falling if the conditions were like they were the first night.

I'm happy for Aaron Peirsol. He swam a great race and swam the way he would normally swim. He let people go out in front and then the last 15 meters he was the better swimmer. It was a supertight race, amazing to see about five guys all within striking distance. Look at Lenny Krayzelburg, who I'm good friends with. He was just a hundredth of a second out of third. That's the joy and pain of the Olympics. It was hard for him. He was definitely in good spirits afterward but obviously not extremely happy with what happened. He just got touched out and there's not a whole lot you can do about that. As a team, this was a big race for the U.S. We would have loved two medals but winning gold was big.

Women's 100 backstroke final

Zimbabwe's Kirsty Coventry [who swam for Auburn and got silver] swam out of her suit. That's an African record for her. But I was so happy to see Natalie Coughlin win because it was a huge must-win for the U.S. If we had not won this race it would have been tough in terms of team attitude; a tough one to swallow. This race was a perfect example of time not mattering because I think on any single day I would put money on Nat breaking a minute. The fact that she didn't [Coughlin swam 1:00.37] tells you what the wind does to you. I'm sure she was pretty nervous but the gold medal could not have gone to a better person. I think it's great for her to get this under her belt and she'll probably be much more relieved and relaxed for the rest of the meet.

Women's 100 breaststroke final

It was a great race. You have to give China's Luo Xuejuan credit. She was out in Lane 1 and basically won the thing by herself. She was very aggressive up front and got in front of the field. I honestly don't think anyone in the pool saw her because it's very tough to see anyone in the breaststroke when they have a lead like that. She kind of snuck by, won the first 50, and then held on. Australia's Leisel Jones [who took bronze] is probably disappointed because she's posted faster multiple times before this. She looked a little flat in the beginning. She did have a great second 50 but in the 100 there are very few mistakes that you can get away with. Still, for Australia, I'm sure they are happy with two medals [Brooke Hanson won silver].

Women's 200 IM final

The Ukraine's Yana Klochkova has a ton of experience over the last four years and she's dominated both IM races. You have to favor her because of that. But in her 400 IM, she almost lost to Kaitlin Sandeno and that probably helps Amanda Beard and the other girls here. Yana still won, but not by a lot and barely touched out Kaitlin. I'd make Yana the favorite going in but Amanda has been hot in the last year and half. She kind of came out of nowhere.I don't think a lot of people realized she could do the 200 IM and she looked great at Trials. You also have to keep in mind Katie Hoff from the U.S. With a 15-year-old girl, you just never know. I wish I could tell you how she's going to do but she has a lot of talent and if she steps up and puts together a good swim, I would not be surprised to see her post a good time.

Men's 4 x200 freestyle relay final

[In 2000, Australia beat the U.S. by 5:59 seconds to take gold.]

For Australia it'll be Thorpe and Grant Hackett for sure and maybe Michael Klim. The U.S has a shot at this and much more so than at the beginning at the meet. It's huge that Klete Keller beat Hackett in the 200 free final. That's big mentally for the U.S. and for Klete. That's the lost story of tonight. He didn't win a medal but to swim 1:46.13 and get fourth just a little behind Phelps (1:45.32) was tremendous. He had a great race and that's huge for the relay.

Obviously, Michael will be right there and will not want to lose the relay. But you have to give Thorpe credit. He looked good Monday and you figure he's fired up now and will look good in the relay. But if Klete can stay with Hackett and either equal his split or beat his split, that's a big gun you get out of the way for Australia. Then you're down to Phelps and Thorpe and the other two guys. And we have a ton of depth. And as opposed to 2000, I think our guys really do believe that they can hang with the Aussies and give it a run. I don't think Australia will run away with the gold this time.