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Emerging superstar Ryan Lochte will form a key part of the US swim team's assault in London. Picture: Getty Images
THE message from the US swim team to Australia and the rest of the world could not be any clearer: Catch us if you can.
The world's most dominant swim team completed a remarkable Olympic trials yesterday with an astonishing 12 swimmers ranked No.1 out of 26 individual events going into the London Games in less than a month.
In comparison Australia's once mighty outfit are languishing in fifth place on a projected medal table, with just two gold medals, one silver and two bronze medals for individual events based upon times swum in 2012.
"Right now the rest of the world has to wonder if they can get there again," US men's head coach Gregg Troy said.
"We know where we are at. Our athletes are in a good spot. We have 21 great days planned for them (in a training camp).
"I think we're going to respond really well. It's competition, and we like to compete."
Australia are red-hot favourites to win the men's 4x100m freestyle relay, and may yet defend the women's 4x200m freestyle title too, but the signs are ominous that they are headed towards a London mauling if they haven't made significant improvements since trials last March.
Japan has emerged as the new threat to USA while Great Britain would take great delight in the fact they have six individuals currently ranked for podium finishes, one more than Australia.
Australia could yet claim more medals in London, with six swimmers currently ranked fourth for events in 2012 and within reach of a podium result if they produce on the day.
US women's head coach Teri McKeever warned the best was yet to come when the Olympics start on July 28.
"It doesn't mean anything as far as the gold medal, but it's (a good indication of where we stand)," McKeever said.
"I think we have an opportunity to do better than that. Time will tell."
US superstar Michael Phelps confirmed he would race seven events in London, opting to withdraw from the 200m freestyle because it conflicts with the 4x100m freestyle relay he hopes can upset the Australians.
It means Phelps will head to London as the No.1 in the 200m medley, 100m butterfly and 200m butterfly and the world No.2 in the 400m medley behind US rival Ryan Lochte who also has four individual and three relay swims planned.
Phelps' coach Bob Bowman said it was impossible to expect his star racer to reproduce the record eight Olympic gold medals he won in Beijing four years ago.
"No-one should be expected to do that twice," Bowman said. "Once was more than enough."
PROJECTED OLYMPIC SWIM MEDAL TABLE:
1. USA: 12 gold - 8 silver - 8 bronze
2. Japan: 4 gold - 4 silver - 3 bronze
3. China: 2 gold - 2 silver - 2 bronze
4. France: 2 gold - 2 silver - 1 bronze
5. Australia: 2 gold - 1 silver - 2 bronze
6. Netherlands: 2 gold - 0 silver - 1 bronze
7. Great Britain: 1 gold - 3 silver - 2 bronze
8. Brazil: 1 gold - 0 silver - 1 bronze
(Note: Based on 2012 times. Does not include relays)
Australia's predicted medals:
Gold: James Magnussen (100m freestyle), Stephanie Rice (200m medley)
Silver: James Roberts (100m freestyle)
Bronze: Belinda Hocking (200m backstroke), Nick D'Arcy (200m butterfly)
Fourths: Chris Wright (100m butterfly), Bronte Barratt (200m freestyle), Kylie Palmer (400m freestyle), Leiston Pickett (100m breaststroke), Alicia Coutts (200m medley), Stephanie Rice (400m medley).
