Six must-watch Paris Olympic pool rivalries

Swimming Showdown in Paris

The Paris Olympics promises a thrilling underwater spectacle. Adam Peaty, the reigning king of the 100m breaststroke, seeks a historic three-peat, aiming to join Michael Phelps’ elite club. But the rise of China’s Qin Haiyang, a world champion with blistering speed, threatens Peaty’s dominance.

The women’s 400m freestyle is another epic battle brewing. Katie Ledecky, the American legend, faces stiff competition from Australia’s Ariarne Titmus, who dethroned her in Tokyo, and the rising Canadian star, Summer McIntosh.

Team GB hopes to surpass their Tokyo medal tally, with the men’s 4x200m freestyle relay a strong contender. The quartet, including Olympic champions Tom Dean and Duncan Scott, aims to break the world record.

Leon Marchand, the French sensation dubbed “the new monster,” is a force to be reckoned with. The 200m medley will see him clash with Scott and Dean, while the women’s 200m medley promises a thrilling showdown between McIntosh, McKeown, Douglass, and Walsh.

Finally, the 50m freestyle, the “splash and dash,” will crown the fastest swimmers. Britain’s Ben Proud seeks Olympic glory, while the return of American superstar Caeleb Dressel adds excitement to the event.

These races are set to be the highlights of the swimming competition, with world-class athletes vying for gold.

Re-reported from the article originally published in BBC.