Monday’s news that MIchael Phelps would be swimming seven events at the 2012 Summer Olympics -- choosing to drop the 200-meter free in favor of focusing on the Team USA relays -- came a surprise to some. After all, he won the event at the trials just a few days ago in Omaha. But perhaps no one was more shocked by the tweet from Bob Bowman, Phelps’ coach, than Ricky Berens:
How Ricky Berens Learned He Qualified For The Olympics Is Fantastic
WAIT WHAT!!!! RT @coach_bowman: @MichaelPhelps will be removing the individual 200 freestyle from his Olympic program.
— Ricky Berens (@RickyBerens) July 2, 2012
Yes, much like the ancient Greeks first envisioned, an athlete learned he was headed to the Olympics on Twitter.
Berens finished third in the finals of the men’s 200m free, and since only the top two go to London -- in this case, Phelps and Ryan Lochte -- it meant Berens had missed a spot in the Olympics by just 0.81 seconds. But with Phelps opting not to swim the event, it opened the door for the first alternate ... Berens.
Words can't describe how I am feeling right now. If Twitter is right, I am swimming the 200 free at the Olympics!!!!! This is nuts!!!
— Ricky Berens (@RickyBerens) July 2, 2012
Happy Monday!! RT @RickyBerens: Words can't describe how I am feeling right now. If Twitter is (cont) tl.gd/i4oogs
— Bob Bowman (@coach_bowman) July 2, 2012
Learning about Olympic berths is basically the best kind of authentic human interest story strat.
See More:
