The Duel in the Pool is a swimming event that took place bi-annually from 2003 to 2015.[1] In 2022, the event was reintroduced with an edition between the United States and Australia and co-organized by Swimming Australia and USA Swimming.[2][3] From 2003 to 2015, the competition was organized by USA Swimming, and sponsored by Mutual of Omaha, the event was a made-for-television competition pitting the stars from the United States against another team, accumulating points across a series of individual and team-relay events.
The original concept (2003–2015) focused on the rivalry between the world's then two powerhouse swimming nations, Australia and the United States, who together would shutout all other nations for the top two spots of the medals tables at ever major all-nation competition for a decade, including the FINA World Championships (1998–2007) and the Summer Olympics (2000–2008).
The reintroduction concept (2022) expanded the event line-up from the original concept to include para swimming and open water swimming events.[2][3]
Following three consecutive American victories (2003, 2005, 2007), where they averaged nearly double the points of the Australians, the Australians were replaced by an all-star team with members from various European nations. The Europeans did no better than the Australians, with the Americans winning all four of their meetings (2009, 2011, 2013, 2015), again averaging nearly double their opponents' scores in three of the events, and scoring a one-point victory — via a tie-breaker race — in 2013, the one competitive tournament in the series. After the 2015 event, a reporter noted the futility of the competition, stating: "The score was hardly relevant: by a whitewash – for a 7th consecutive win".[4] In 2017, swimming news website SwimSwam claimed the event could never be held again, as USA Swimming was unable to renew a television sponsorship deal after 2015.[1]
While reports in The Guardian[5] and NBC Sports[6] compared the later USA-vs-Europe versions of the Duel in the Pool to golf's USA-vs-Europe Ryder Cup, it was noted that a number of stars were missing from both swim teams,[6][7] unlike the participation of the most elite golfers in the Ryder Cup.
^ abKeith, Braden (11 November 2017). "No Duel In The Pool in 2017; "Could Return in the Future"". SwimSwam. Retrieved 2 December 2020.
^ abCite error: The named reference SA19Apr2022 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ abCite error: The named reference USAS20Apr2022 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^Lord, Craig (12 December 2015). "Duel in the Pool Over Before Over: WRS for Grevers, Kromowidjojo; USA Keeps Crown". SwimVortex. Archived from the original on 22 December 2015. Retrieved 13 December 2015. The score was hardly relevant: by a whitewash – for a 7th consecutive win
^"British Swimming plans 'Ryder Cup' duel in the pool". The Guardian. 13 March 2009. Retrieved 19 September 2013.
^ abZaccardi, Nick (17 September 2013). "Duel in the Pool swimming competition set for December". NBC Sports. Retrieved 19 September 2013.
^Burke, Keaton (6 May 2020). "Cody Miller Reflects on the History of 'Duel in the Pool'". SwimSwam. Retrieved 2 December 2020.
faster time at the 2009 DuelinthePool (1:51.67); however, the time has not been recognized as a record by USA Swimming. [g]^ For the SCM women's 400 IM...
The 2009 DuelinthePool was a swimming competition between a team from the United States and a combined British, German and Italian "E-Stars" team held...
The 2011 DuelinthePool was a swimming meet held December 16 and 17, 2011 at the Georgia Tech Aquatics Center in Atlanta. It was a short course (25m)...
(December 11, 2015). "2015 DuelInThePool: Day 1 Live Recap". SwimSwam. Retrieved April 4, 2022. Sica, James (December 21, 2015). "The Week That Was: Fast...
January 2010. Franklin's second world record came at the 2011 DuelinthePoolin December. Inthe 4×100-meter medley relay, Franklin combined with Natalie...
"Americans roll to DuelinthePool victory over Europe". The Augusta Chronicle. Retrieved October 9, 2021. "Mutual of Omaha DUELINTHEPOOL: Men's 100m Butterfly...
notably been the venue for the annual CAS Swimming Championships. It is also scheduled to be the site of the 2022 DuelinthePool. The SOPAC also includes...
2008-04-13. Archived from the original on 2008-06-03. Retrieved 2008-04-20. Lord, Craig (December 12, 2015). "DuelInThePool Over Before Over: WRS For...
roster member for the 2022 DuelinthePool to be held in August. Nine days later, he won the national title inthe 100-meter butterfly at the 2022 US National...
championship. At the 2003 DuelinthePool, a meet that pits swimming stars from Australia and the United States, Phelps broke the world record inthe 400-meter...
conducted inpool and open water environments. Pool competitions include long course metres (50 metre pool), short course metres (25 metre pool), and short...
the USA team that defeated Australia inthe resumption of theDuelinthePool series in 2022. Ress competed as a member of the Cali Condors of the International...
was announced to the USA Swimming roster for the 2022 DuelinthePool, which was held starting August 19 in Sydney, Australia. As of 30 April 2022 r =...
she was named to the 2022 DuelinthePool roster for the United States. Ten days later, she won the gold medal and national title inthe 100-meter breaststroke...
The Americas records in swimming are the fastest times ever by a swimmer representing a country from the Americas, which are recognised and ratified by...
holder inthe 400m medley relay, set at the 2009 MOO DuelinthePool Former WR holder in 200m BK, set at 2008 Olympic Trials Former WR holder in 400m MED-...
total for the meet second only to Phelps. Within a week of the world championships, Lochte competed inthe annual Mutual of Omaha DuelinthePool where he...
timing system and the length of thepool, satisfaction of FINA rules regarding swimwear and a negative doping test by the swimmer(s) involved. Records can...
the silver medal. On 10 August, following her medal-winning performances at the 2022 Commonwealth Games, Jack was named to the 2022 DuelinthePool roster...
the 2022 DuelinthePool roster. Day two of the 2022 U.S. Open Swimming Championships, held in Greensboro in November and December, Kalisz won the gold...
15, 2021. The Associated Press (August 7, 2019). "Months after beating cancer, Bremerton's Nathan Adrian back to beating people inpool". The Seattle Times...
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