Optimal_Adrian wrote:
Well we know now what the plan is for the men 400 free: https://swimswam.com/...0th-place-finishers/
This plan seems very odd and they should have had better contingency plans before trials. To me this is very unfair to Grothe who doesn't get a chance to improve his time the same way 9th and 10th place finishers do. It also leaves out a chance for Bobby Finke who is probably capable of going under the A cut and who only didn't swim the 400 free so he could swim the 400 IM (and was 4th). This plan is half-assedly trying to keep the Trials finish order but really only helps those for whom this time trial doesn't screw with the rest of their events; they should just open it up and say 'fastest American in the 400 free (under Olympic A cut) before June 27 can be considered for this spot' with a preference to those who already are on the team for another event.
I think you do not understand what this is:
The standing from the contested event cannot be changed. So nothing Groethe does can put his selection ahead of Jake Mitchell (who finished 2nd place). The only thing Groethe can "hope" for is no one else meets the eligibility standard of 3:46.78
Lets say 2 swimmer in the time trial make the cut. Mitchel goes 3:46.6 and Dant (who got 3rd on Sunday night) goes a surprising 3:43 surpassing EVERYONE. Even with that: Dant does not get the spot . That is because of the (then) 4 eligible swimmers for the 400 free at the Olympics - Smith, Mitchel, Dant and Groethe - Smith and Mitchel placed highest at the trials.
Step 1: who is eligible
Step 2: who placed highest at trials?
Groethe is already eligible, Groethe - nor anyone else - cannot move up or down from 11th at trials.