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August 17, 2004 10:31 pm

American swimmers buoyed by upset over Australians

By NORM FRAUENHEIM

The Arizona Republic

ATHENS, Greece — Klete Keller says he likes to run with the bulls. Talks a little bull, too.

But he doesn’t kid around in the water.

Ask the Australians.

Ask Ian Thorpe.

They aren’t laughing.

The Phoenix swimmer, who snow skis when he says he isn’t sky-diving, held off Thorpe and a mounting wave of uncertainty about American fortunes Tuesday in dramatic finish to the 800 freestyle relay.

Four days and a lot more uncharted water await the American men. But without an upset of the Aussies in the 800 freestyle relay, American hopes were sailing straight into a controversial storm of failed expectations.

It was time for somebody to remind the Americans about all of the talent so often trumpeted by their coaches. Keller’s timing was perfect. A few hours after U.S. sprinters failed to get past the preliminaries in the 100 freestyle for the first time, Keller held on against Thorpe for a gold medal that might be as significant as any won by an American at the Olympic pool. If Keller could hold on against the world’s most accomplished swimmer, then maybe his teammates can.

"He’s the reason we won," said Michael Phelps, who can’t match Mark Spitz’s seven golds anymore, yet still won a second and third gold Tuesday for a total of five medals with three events still left on his plate.

Keller made his stand the day after finishing far behind Thorpe in an event, the 200 freestyle, that been called "The Race of the Century." Keller said nothing then. He walked through the chaotic mix zone and past the waiting media without saying a word. As it turned out, he would have plenty to say in his last event at the halfway point of swimming at the 2004 Games. Call it "The Race at Midway." "I just wanted to keep the lead for the guys and the country," said Keller, who finally struck gold after collecting two bronze and a silver over the last two Olympics. "It hurt like hell, but I’m just glad we won." But for a few agonizing seconds, it looked as if there would be no U.S. victory. One wasn’t expected, anyway. The Aussies have dominated the 800 free relay for years. With Thorpe at the anchor, they appeared unbeatable.

"We did feel like we owned that race," Aussie Michael Klim said.

Australian assumption of ownership was evident not long after Thrope hit the water at a body length behind Keller, who followed surprising Peter Vanderkaay, a first-time Olympian from Michigan.

With only about a dozen strokes, Thorpe cut Keller’s margin in half. It looked as if were only a matter of time. Keller had never finished ahead of Thorpe. At the Sydney Games four years ago, Keller was distant third in the 400 free. Just four days ago, Keller finished third to Thorpe all over again.

But there was a difference this time. Keller had the lead and would not surrender it. Thorpe was faster at 1:44.18. Keller went 1:45.53. But within the final meter, the stubborn Keller simply would not yield. It was enough for Phelps, Ryan Lochte and Vanderkaay to then follow Keller to the medal stand’s top pedestal. At 7:07.33, Keller finished a fraction of a single second — .13 — ahead of Thorpe and the Aussies (7:11.83).

Keller said he and his teammates took inspiration from 1984 when the United States beat what appeared to be an unbeatable German relay anchored by Michael Gross, who was called the Albatross for arms that seemed to stretch from coast to coast. In a meeting with the coaches a few hours before the race, Keller learned he would be the anchor instead of Phelps.

"Those guys were smart," Keller said. "They raced, but they didn’t let themselves get overexcited. They were smart."

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