Jones, Phelps and Takeuchi:
A Video Comparison

Cullen Jones became the first African-American swimmer to hold a long course world record as part of the U.S. 4x100m free relay in 2006. He will also swim on that relay in Beijing as a result of finishing third in the 100m Free at the US Olympic Trials. The relay will take place this Saturday, August 9th and will be one of the most competitive races in Beijing, with the world-record-holding U.S. team not necessarily favored to win. The U.S. team is looking to take back the gold after consecutive losses (to Australia in 2000 and South Africa in 2004) that ended an undefeated streak for the U.S. at the Olympics in that race. Jones also swam the 50m free at Trials, finishing third. Jones had set the American record in prelims, but his record was broken in the final by Garrett Weber-Gale. Jones has been one of the world's best sprinters for the past two years. He finished second in the 50m freestyle at the 2007 World Championships and won gold as part of the 4x100m free relay there. In Beijing, Jones could become the second African-American Olympic gold medalist; Anthony Ervin won the 50m free (in a tie with Gary Hall Jr.) in 2000. Cullen is 24 years old and 6'5" tall.

Michael Phelps is…Michael Phelps, the most decorated and versatile swimmer in history and favored to break Mark Spitz's record of 7 Olympic gold medals. Among his many world records is the 200 freestyle, which he is favored to win in Beijing. He will join Cullen Jones on the 4x100 free relay and swim on the 4x200 free relay. Michael is 23 years old and 6'4"tall.

Shinji Takeuchi is a TI coach and father of two who began swimming "purposefully" in 2003. Shinji is 43 years old and 5'8" tall.

Compare their strokes here