Phelps set for big splash

GREATNESS can be hard to define but two words suffice for Olympic swimming — Michael Phelps. Despite a global cast of world record holders, champions and swim sensations preparing to light up the Rio pool, the greatest of all time will again be the centre of attention at his farewell Games.

Phelps, who retired in 2012 before a rethink, may not win the most medals but his fifth Olympics are about more than that.

“I came back because I wanted to,” he said at the US trials. “I wanted to do this for me.” The 31-year-old has three individual events (100 metres butterfly, 200m butterfly and 200m individual medley) plus relays with a younger-looking US team that have rung some changes since London.

However big the splash he makes, Phelps is ratings gold as he seeks to add to his record haul of 18 Olympic titles and 22 medals in total.

Winner of the 100m butterfly and 200m IM at the past three Olympics, Phelps can become the first swimmer to win the same individual event at four Games in a row.

He is not the oldest US swimmer in Rio, however, with former bad boy and 2000 gold medallist Anthony Ervin back at 35. Ryan Lochte, 31 and an 11-time medallist, will be at his fourth Games.

If anyone is going to carry Phelps’ mantle at a meet that will run well past midnight on some days to cater for US viewers, then it is likely to be Katie Ledecky.

The 19-year-old American holds the world record in 400m and 800m freestyle and could complete a golden triple with the 200m as well.

Katie, who won four individual gold medals at last year’s world championships in Kazan, Russia, is the youngest member of the US squad but looking unbeatable in 800m.

Teammate Missy Franklin, who won four gold and a bronze in 2012, will compete in only two individual events and a relay after a disappointing trials.

The rest of the world, and particularly the Australians, sense an opportunity.

London saw the once-mighty swimming nation slump to its lowest Olympic haul in 20 years, with a subsequent review highlighting a ‘toxic culture’, but Rio can expect a fighting comeback.

“I think swimming has got its mojo back which is a great thing,” said head coach Jacco Verhaeren after national trials in April.

Cate Campbell set a 100m freestyle world record in July while sister Bronte is world champion but both face a challenge from Sweden’s Sarah Sjostrom.

On the men’s side, Cameron McEvoy will chase gold

GREATEST: