Jason Lezak Split

[@AlexODO]

Imagine swimming at world record pace but still being in 5th place

[@alexfolsom3910]

That's the crazy thing.

[@lilyeet4688]

i think it was the suits

[@kaiweeks3132]

@@lilyeet4688 funny that because the world record was set with suits so that point is thrown out the window

[@Shosei_iw]

@@kaiweeks3132 I think he was saying because of the suits, many swimmers are swimming at or faster than previous world record pace

[@kaiweeks3132]

@@Shosei_iw I know I know, I’m just saying that saying they broke the world record because of the suits isn’t that of a reasonable answer to their performance. If it really was because of the suits, no world records would’ve been broken since 2009, when the suits were last used. Theoretically

[@David-km8gl]

one of the best american sports moments of all time

[@bobsudcliffe8214]

Uhhhhh hello? Joey Chesnut winning the ‘Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest’ for the 8th time? Yes it’s a joke

[@23jakesmith23]

One of the best sports moments of all time. Period.

[@kaiweeks3132]

@@23jakesmith23 for America

[@23jakesmith23]

@@kaiweeks3132 Any race with someone coming back from a seemingly insurmountable deficit is an all-time sports moment. Could have been any other country and these feelings would be the same.

[@kaiweeks3132]

@@23jakesmith23 i agree in terms of the significance it has in the sport. However, when we are talking about the importance alongside the significance, this moment isn’t great for the other countries but America

[@ryancrowell9867]

Lezak is a legend. Anchors the fastest split time in Olympic history to chase down the world-record holder to win by a thousandth of a second and get Phelps his 8th. Incredibly clutch.

[@whenisdinner2137]

Olympic history? World history.... Its still the fastest by a lot.

[@evanfisher3016]

So fucking amazing

[@dylanhills3244]

At the age of 33, I believe, no less.

[@L14Mswim]

amazing. also it was his 2nd not 8th lol

[@MaDixieWrecked404]

@@L14Mswim it kept Phelps hopes alive to get 8 in one Olympics which he ended up doing

[@Cain-x]

That was one of the best commentating ever heard on any sport.

[@mikeyriveramusic10]

Was that Gus Johnson?

[@pobsarducttapeproducts8763]

They all like “he’s pulling away” “us should keep the silver” HOW AWESOME

[@RedCard94]

​@@mikeyriveramusic10 Dan Hicks and Rowdy Gaines

[@billny33]

@@pobsarducttapeproducts8763 they are announcers, not prophets. These wrong predictions just underscore how remarkable the comeback was.

[@pobsarducttapeproducts8763]

@@billny33 ok cool

[@ncooty]

I remember watching this live, frustrated with Jones, arguing with the announcers during the last leg. "He can still do it. The last 25 meters is what you trained for! Come on, Lezak! Come on! Come on!" I was _screaming_ at the television... watching him propel himself out of the water with each stroke. The call of "Here comes Lezak!" still gives me chills. That leg--especially the last 20 meters--is still the single greatest sprint I've ever seen.

[@browniehartz]

I still remember watching it live in the middle of the night and just yelling at the TV. What a great memory

[@mannyrivas3054]

You really can't blame Jones though, he had swum an excellent split but looked slow because he was up against the fastest split in history at the time.

[@matthieup.4610]

@@mannyrivas3054 from Freddy Bousquet?

[@elgiacomo]

On my feet, jumping up and down and screaming at the TV. What. A. Moment!!!!!

[@carltontaylor6500]

@@matthieup.4610 Bousquet had record setting split in the prelims, so, yeah before Lezak dove in it was the fastest split in history. Even in this race he went 46.63 which was a faster split than any of the Americans…except Lezak in the final.

[@marting5130]

HERE COMES LEZAK!

[@zottffss]

UNBELIEVABLE AT THE END!

[@shoukatsukai]

HE'S DONE IT!

[@ConnorMiller417]

THE US HAS DONE IT!!!

[@makavelishakur6437]

Those commentators deserve an Oscar son wtf

[@mick2spic]

Yea, It was insane watching it live. The commentators made it so much more thrilling and memorable

[@chickenonanapkin]

It’s television. They’d get an Emmy.

[@josephruben97]

The way they slowly realize Lezak is catching up

[@s_koci02]

Lezak swam a 46,06 that is incredible!

[@sheevys]

Fastest 100 FC relay split to this day. Duncan Scott was very close with his 46.14. Worth checking out that race too.

[@gtgaxiola]

How is the split faster than the WR?

[@larryton09]

​@@gtgaxiola Opening leg is done from a stationary start, whereas later swimmers can lean over in the process of diving as the preceding swimmer is coming in

[@stratonarrow]

@@gtgaxiola because you know when to start in the relay. You can time the jump with the guy in front of you touching the wall because you can see his hand. When starting from the gun in the individual race, you don’t know exactly when the beep will happen so you lose a few tenths from that.

[@ededoo5587]

​@@larryton090.6

[@marlenhilbun3188]

Quite possibly the greatest come back in U.S. Olympic history. When they hit the water anybody knowledgeable of Bernard's ability would have thought this race was 100% over. Lezak was an absolute BEAST in the last twenty meters!

[@thomasdempsey1438]

One hundred percent I’ve been swimming and playing polo my whole life when I saw lezak get in I thought forsure they were 2nd place but lezak said hood my beer 😂

[@MimMdance]

I remember this image at the end when Bernard was still in the pool catching his breath and his huge chest was expanding like the one of a toad. That is how hard they went.

[@markabeyta3718]

That call is equal to the miracle on ice call. Unbelievable!

[@jamespratt2243]

I was 8 months old when the Miracle on Ice happened. This, right here, is my Olympic “Miracle on Ice” moment, in terms of rallying behind the announcers’ energy.

[@m23u23]

As a swimmer I think this was the most exciting sports moment I've ever witnessed live. I particularly remember the French relay talking shit and the announcers really hyped this race. We were totally expecting a loss but my dad and I just about lost it when Lezak won, jumped up from our chairs screaming at the tv lmao. Legendary moment!!!

[@andrewg2032]

Agreed

[@nicholasjchang]

12 years ago today... Doesn't even feel that long ago

[@jamesordner1368]

Ikr, I remember watching all of this when I was in 4th grade.

[@-jackkeith]

Chills whenever I hear “here comes lezak unbelievable at the end!”

[@bobdavis7518]

"Bernard is losing some ground! Here comes Lezak!! Unbelievable at the end!!!" "He did it!!!!" "He did it!!!!!" I still can't believe...he did it! I watched it that night. It was over when I heard "Bernard is pulling away from him.". And then, the announcer's voice changed as he abruptly blurted out, "But Lezak is closing a little on Bernard!" I jumped up and hurried to stare at the screen thinking, "No, he doesn't have time... does he?! Can he ??!!" Every cell in my body was holding it's breath as Lezak seemed to inch closer and closer...and suddenly, everlastingly impossibly..."He did it!! He did it!!!" It was the most electric comeback and call...ever...and forever!!! I have not, and never will forget what I saw that night. Truly, it was ..."UNBELIEVABLE AT THE END!!!!!"

[@bigvic8701]

This commentator is simply amazing. He makes you feel the moment as if your there.

[@elgiacomo]

It's the original NBC broadcast or bust for this moment. That call is legendary. Chills every time!

[@jalenstimes7452]

15 years later, and this remains the comeback of all comebacks.

[@jonathanritter7364]

Man...the intensity brings tears to my eyes. Every. Single. Time.

[@ejerome1664]

I remember watching this in the hotel at the beach. It inspired me to go out in the ocean and swim the next morning. I got about 30 yards out and got got in a rip current. Never swam again.

[@snooziverted]

lmaoooo

[@Savvychee]

🤣🤣🤣

[@stevenasche6050]

Lezak cemented himself as a legend in this sport with this performance! He will be remembered for generations. 46 second split is the best all time. Brings tears to my eyes with the call. So great. I watched it as it happend and was yelling at the TV during the las 25M. Such a great memory.

[@BigRedRIP]

I still watch this and cannot fathom how incredible he was in that last 25 meters. It's like he was shot out of a cannon. I get goosebumps when they both lose their minds after he touches first.

[@kristen6207]

I remember this so vividly... kneeling in front of the living room tv in the dark. Everyone else had gone to bed and my dad was about to as well. I told him to stop and watch one more race with me. I sat there yelling at the TV like I was right there on the deck! My favorite Olympic memory and I'll be surprised if anything tops it. I was a 15 year old swimmer at the time and it was INSANE what Lezak was able to do. Phelps may be the GOAT but Lezak is a pure warrior. USA!

[@christinerogers6928]

Amen.Former competitive swimmer now age 70 and I watch this every day to help rally myself out of depression.Thank s you guys .Love our teams.

[@MimMdance]

Cool story. I didn't catch this one, but I remember waking up at 4am to see Phelps' fly showdown race vs Cavic. It didn't dissapoint. I was performing silent screams of joy and I'm not even American 😂

[@MimMdance]

​@@christinerogers6928stay strong. You got this race 😊

[@benjaminknode6268]

Bernard swam one of the fastest splits in history (especially at that point a sub 47 was great) and still the announcers thought he tightened up, but it wasnt the case....Lezak just swam the greatest split ever.

[@Mitch-wc9zx]

Greatest sports commentary in history. 2nd is Secretariat. Noone else

[@mikeg8375]

I'll never forget the thrill of watching this live.

[@federalisticnewyorkians4470]

Perhaps the greatest anchor in the history of the sport.

[@flyingchimp12]

I just want everyone to know that the last French swimmer swam the 2nd fastest split in history only below what the French swimmer right behind him swam, yet lezak still outpaced him by a body length... he smashed the relay split record more more than half a second, unheard of in 100m freestyle. Truly otherworldly stuff

[@fransiscoscaramanga674]

i'll never forget that night,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,one of the greatest moments in sports, what a leg by Lezak............

[@izzybroome8525]

Man never underestimate the heart of a champion. Lezak always anchored these relay's and you can go back and count how many he came from behind and won for his team it's mind blowing how many. Simply put winners always find a way to win. From College to the Olympics. Some have it some don't. Lezak had it.

[@doctorphrog]

I remember jumping on my bed screaming at the tv when this was happening. It’s the most memorable sports moment I’ve ever seen.

[@user-no8ii7xf5s]

The greatest anchor swim ever

[@davidhunternyc1]

I'm watching "The Greatest Race" on NBC's Peacock Channel now. As a competitive swimmer and water polo player in high school, I love swimming. I live in NYC now but I still dream about being in the pool. There are endless great moments in sports history. There was Secretariat's shattering 1973 Triple Crown records. Then there is perhaps the greatest moment in sports history with Jesse Owens' 1936 win in front of Adolf Hitler. In the world of swimming there is Michael Phelps. 8 golds in 8 days. I still tremble thinking about it. Alain Bernard owned the world record for the 100 meter freestyle. What Jason Lezak did was the "greatest achievement in sports history" in my lifetime. It's scientifically impossible to be a full body length behind the fastest swimmer in the world on the final turn and win the race. Somehow Jason Lezak pulled off the impossible. Every time I watch this race I am gobsmacked. I still can't believe this happened. Till this day, Ceasar Cielo holds the 100m world record with a time of 46.91. Jason's swim of 46.06 doesn't count as a world record because it was on a relay. I bow to Michael Phelps, Garrett Weber-Gale, Cullen Jones, & Jason Lezak. I will never see anything like this again. Also, let's give respect to the French. Smack talk or not it takes defeating the best in the world for history to be written.

[@ConnorMiller417]

This is 16 years old and it still gives me goosebumps. This made everyone in America go absolute apeshit! You had to have watched this live to know what I’m talking about. The last 25 meters is the greatest swimming moment we will ever see in the Olympics. Lezak unleashed everything he had in him and he swam the best split in history. The commentary, Phelps’ reaction, and the intensity was just incredible.

[@les6447]

Everyone thinks of Michael Phelps and Katie Ledecky these days as well they should but this split by Lezak is still the greatest of all time by an American swimmer imo. Both him and Bernard were close to 4 seconds ahead of the World Record at the finish which is just insaaaaaane.

[@willflint46]

been swimming all my life, in highschool last year i got to do a clinic with lezak, and i hadnt heard his name in the past. after a few hours working with him ( with my whole team not 1 on 1) we went to the school cafeteria and he told us the story leading up to this and much more facinating details. very cool guy, he signed my hub cap for me and let us all wear his gold metals

[@joeyjojo5986]

I have this saved so I can watch it whenever I want to get automatic goose bumps. never fails.

[@elgiacomo]

Watching this unfold live, OMG! Watching this all these years later, still OMG! One of the best moments in sports of all time.

[@ncooty]

The outcome of that leg was a combination of Lezak's skill (riding Bernard's wake close to the rope), Lezak's ludicrous effort, yeeeears of training, and a sliver of luck. Bernard was faster when he breathed on his right side (vs. his left or alternating), so he was breathing only to his right, which meant that he couldn't see Lezak well on the final length. On the flip side, Lezak had a little bad luck in that he had to glide his final stroke into the wall. Crazy race; insane performance from Lezak. 0.08 seconds apart.

[@tyleru96]

If I'm not mistaken, Lezak absolutely shattered the world record for a 4x100 split by .6 seconds. I think that record still stands but the current second fastest split is only .08 seconds slower than Lezak's. So many things had to go right for him to make up the ground he needed to on Bernard. Unbelievable.

[@ahjort100]

That commentary was almost as good as the Miracle on Ice commentary! :)

[@mikephillips1043]

Id say better the US was up and winning during that call this was a huuuuuge comeback

[@joecoolberry911]

Nothing beats Al Michaels and the miracle on ice. No comparison at all. Literally a miracle beating a Russian team during the Cold War, a team that beat them and NHL players earlier in the year

[@ja1720]

Yup… still gives me goosebumps. I’ll check back next year

[@matt4787]

I didn’t realize when I was watching this live how iconic of a moment it was going to be. Truly incredible. To do that in the clutch is simply incredible. I remember how excited I was because we were all hoping for Michael Phelps to break the record for most golds in a single Olympics.

[@lawrencewood289]

Probably the greatest Olympic swim in history!!!!! And there are a lot of great swims.

[@spacehead1au936]

Legendary Split, great swimmer- his ability to close in the last 25m was just great.

[@ftsjr]

Shortly later on, one of the commentators yelled, "the French are stunned!"

[@raiden7358]

I remember watching this live. Best race of those games definitely

[@DapoopMang]

Lezak had so much will that he was lifting himself way out of the water for that push. It really is one of the greatest moments in sport

[@femomenal001]

I rewatched it and saw exactly what you meant: he was literally lifting himself out of the water...something only experience can teach you; you don't get taught that...can be explained with physics, air resistance is lower than water resistance so you can reach higher speed with the same impulse (push)

[@ryanlong820]

My favorite moment in Olympics history

[@lunoo]

15 year anniversary of the greatest race in swimming history

[@jordanputz8331]

By far 1 of the Greatest Comebacks of All-Time in ANY Sport!!!

[@elgiacomo]

Still to this day, feel blessed to experience this live

[@brandonm2828]

I met that guy at a swim camp once. He was freaking huge, man.

[@nukbincanfly7560]

Lezak or the Bernard? Haha

@@nukbincanfly7560 probably Bernard. Lezak is not that big, but Bernard really is.

[@jordan3851]

That’s crazy, I met him too. It was lezak, and Aaron Piersol, also for a swim camp in Tyler Texas, it was awesome! I was young, but lezak was HUGE, this was like 2-3 years after this event and he definitely put on some size

[@ericknopik2852]

This was the most unbelievable race I have ever seen, and it’s not even close. It was one of those moments in sport where you almost couldn’t believe what you just witnessed. That entire Olympics was so awesome!

[@agentfourtytwo]

Im not even into swimming but i remember seeing this and was one of the best sports moments I ever watched..

[@timstradley5819]

Man still gives me chills. If this big of a comeback happened in any major sport it would be the best of all time.

[@johnsully7649]

This moment in the 4x100 free relay was amazing, there won't be another moment like this

[@mylonavery9942]

Still gives me chills

[@lgarcia67]

I think Jason talks about that relay every day :) ... what an awesome performance

[@EricAKATheBelgianGuy]

"Well, there's no doubt that he's tightening up!"

[@ragex2636]

Just crazy what he did, in most sports when u are at that level, to make up that much ground in that short of time is virtually impossible. But somehow he did it and on the biggest stage in the world.

[@harryballz329]

Watching it live around midnight was insane. Them 08’ olympics were somethin else

[@yakoo7]

La mejor carrera de la historia de la natación..... increible!

[@mystdragon8530]

One of the best parts of a legendary victory like this is when the experts(commentators here) have counted out the team/person that is behind and begin talking g like it’s already over…..then The incredulity of the victory.

[@sissyj9463]

Wow! What a moment. Jason Lezak wow! Don't underestimate the underdog.

[@MANHATTANBEEFMAN]

Absolute #Beastmode by Lezak!

[@jonah.mccarthy]

One of my favorite parts is seeing Cullen Jones at the bottom of the screen jump up and down celebrating when he realizes that Lezak pulled off the miracle

[@Sean-gw6el]

Gives me goosebumps to this day

[@giveabighand]

I have watched this so many times - - he is a HERO

[@daverohrich8518]

Adrenaline is such a wild thing. You had 4 or 5 TEAMS all swimming faster than any human beings had ever swam before, including themselves in prior heats.... all pushing eachother to go faster

[@keezyjames9499]

Goosebumps. Every single time

[@boybawang1981]

Announcers: I don't think US can win...Jason Lezak: HOLD MY M_F_ing BEER!!

[@Howlingburd19]

I don’t know why, but this makes me burn up with my American pride

[@charlesmcneill9172]

One of the greatest moments in sports, I could watch over and over, one word to describe,Excellence

[@briantneary2248]

We've had a lot of great moments on the world stage in the U.S, but this is as great as any of them

[@elgiacomo]

I'll never forget this moment.

[@dansmith4861]

“Australia is in bronze territory RIGHT NOW BUT LEZAK IS CLOSING A LITTLE BIT ON BERNARD” Chills

[@dontthrowtheslant1236]

As a proud born and raised American: this was my “do you believe in miracles moment”. I wasn’t born when the US hockey team defeated Russia. I will never forget where I was on this August night when the Frenchman couldn’t handle the pressure and the American who swam the greatest relay split ever.

[@ohlaloh1295]

Everything about this moment is amazing! Wow

[@tylerbell6796]

Thank you for actually showing the race instead of just Phelps’ reaction.

[@lukeo2982]

0:36 love this moment when the dude was like "oh shit they could pull this off" lol

[@ulphil08]

46.06 split time by Lezak. Incredible

[@Esonar]

This commentary call is great; but theres another of NON american announcers calling this event that I cannot find anymore online. They were in disbelief, outwardly shouting "NO!" at the end just before Lezak touches the wall... The bias was SUPER apparent in that moment, and there was silence for a brief second as Lezak registered as the winner before the announcers started talking again. I wish I could find that. HOOOOLY crap it was SO satisfying; the announcers were livid inside.

[@lethrneck4]

nearly 6 racers broke the world record in this race!

[@drewhendley]

“simply the best” 🏊‍♀️

[@WTDProductions]

Just revisiting this after Bobby Finke’s split

[@antonioromano9963]

UNBELIEVABLE A TRUE HUMAN MIRACLE , HUMM , DIVINE MIRACLE !

[@suburbanhobbyist2752]

Can we just take a moment and appreciate the announcers. Fantastic job.

[@tom95521]

Dave Wottle's 800 meter race and Jason Lezak's race are both amazing.

[@danieldobrosky8378]

the greatest collection of swimmers in a pool..

[@Kaywade79]

The influx on "there's no doubt he's tiGHTENING UP!"

[@mcmuf3808]

i met him in a swim camp 6 years ago, jason lezak could still go a 23 for the 50m free when he was retired.

[@handleunavailable]

What a FUCKING moment dude

[@terimunoz6276]

CHILLS! Every time!

[@rodrigovitordeandrademelo3467]

Sobrenatural Jason Lezak!

[@joshuahollar9880]

Love watching this!

[@FanaticForFanta]

Bro that was clutch asf

[@calabamian]

Still the greatest swim in history 14 years later. 46.06 is just stupid.

[@brycep2187]

“The US is just trying to hold on to second” Bald Eagle: CAWWWWW

[@harshilpatel8217]

One of the greatest splits of all time

[@yuvalganim]

best swimming race ever, top 5 broke the old world record that day. and the commentating? perfect.

[@blessd24]

Love the call by the announcer. His voice couldnt take the excitement.