Pan Am Open Water Swimming: Exciting!

The race setting could not have been more beautiful, with the course stretching along the world famous Copacabana beach. The weather was perfect. The seas were a little rough. Make that really rough. In the distance the surfers looked on, missing barreling sets to see the Xtreme swimming.

Two US men summit the medal podium to kick off what is sure to be a great meet for the US team in swimming. The talented Fran Crippen won the 10K open water event today in a time of two hours 2 minutes, and 24 seconds. Chip Peterson finished just five seconds behind in what can be considered a photo finish for open water swimming. The two battled it out the entire race with Chip leading until Fran "Madman" Crippen pulled ahead at the end in a gutsy finish. Third place was Brazilian Allan Carmo in two hours 3 minutes and 53 seconds.

Chloe Sutton also held off a charging Brazilian, Poliana Okimoto, to win the gold medal in the women's open water event. Brazilian fans along the beach waving flags rushed into the waters screaming like the Beatles had just landed, cheering Poliana on. The Brazilian strategy was to stay with the US swimmers and take them in the end. Poliana made a valiant push, no doubt fueled by the cheers of countless fans, but it was not enough. Chloe Sutton, gold, by .8 seconds! Chloe's time: two hours 13 minutes, and 47.8 seconds. Poliana's: two hours 13 minutes, and 48.4. Kalyn Keller finished fourth for the US in two hours 20 minutes.

Never before in the history of open water swimming has a race been so close and if there has been it wasn't as exciting. All of Rio turned out for the race and even Christ the Redeemer (the famous statue of Jesus recently named a wonder of the world) looked on from the hills. According to one witness there were "tons" of fans, going "crazy".

The Brazilian's have shown that they intend to do more than just host a fantastic Pan American Games. They are in it to win.

The swimmers from all of the other countries have arrived and the competition pool is getting more crowded for warm ups. I am impressed with this facility. It must be the deepest pool that I have swum in. We practiced our relay exchanges yesterday and for those of us that could be swimming on the relays we wait anxiously for the coaching staff to make their relay selections.

Our team is excited by the news of our open water teammates but in these final days before the competition begins for us the attitude is mostly relaxed with swimmers lounging by the community pool in the village alongside the athletes from other countries and sports.

We'll all have our chance to race soon enough.

Gary Hall Jr.