The greatest swimming comeback of all time? | Throwback Thursday

[@Olympics]

What is your favorite Olympic moment of all time? Let us know below and it might be featured in the next #ThrowbackThursday!

[@MuhammadMaulana94]

Full Match of all Final Badminton Beijing 2008 please.. upload full

[@janzuzok2369]

london 2012 michael phepls 200 metres fly

[@football-bulls9535]

Michael Phelps first race

[@smontalvo210]

All of them

[@adventurehero5729]

Can the next video be the men's basketball 2004 match between China vs Serbia and Montenegro

[@HondaSnowblowerEnthusiasts311]

Lezak's finally 50 was SUPER human. Words really can not describe this.The most exciting race i have seen in 65 years.I have watched this dozens of times.

[@sarkaprokopova7726]

Best race ever. Wow wow wow. Lezak - what a beast...

[@anveshm5397]

And yesterday’s Bobby Finke’s last 25m is insane and outrageous !! Best comebacks !

[@triple7marc]

@@anveshm5397 I watched that live. Just insane!

[@iluvdissheet]

Great race but It's the reaction for me. And HEARING the crowd 🥲 Epic!

[@thammar1990]

Check out finke's comeback in the 800. Even crazier than this

[@woundedh1ppo]

It’s actually crazy that 5 teams beat the world record in that race. Insane

[@user-em4wh5ji3w]

Super suits

[@BlueHopi144]

the Us team from 2021 World champs came close to this US WR .....

[@PikaRyan]

The suit technology allowed back then was insane. Wish I got to try one out when I was still swimming.

[@denzelgamboa]

on the other hand, imagine breaking the world record and placing 5th lmao

[@Noisy_Cricket]

It has to have been the greatest aquatic race of all time.

[@beaujarkko]

Over a dozen years on, and Lezak's 46.06 split is still the fastest in history!

[@artemkorchagin652]

A whole bunch of records from pre-2009 will stand for a while.

[@Daniel_Bradford]

There is a reason they banned those suits. Gave people such an advantage it wasn't right for the sport.

[@auntkaz422]

Lezak was a beast!

[@mosaic94]

I'd say Duncan Scott's 46.14 split in textile from the 2019 WCs is a greater achievement, even though it's 0.08 slower than Lezak's.

[@ogrocky3759]

@@mosaic94 it’s really close. From a physical standpoint, probably yeah. But when you put in the context of what this 46.06 meant to Michael Phelps and the sport of swimming, I would say it’s still a greater accomplishment. Although I have to say, especially after watching British Trials, I am blown away with how versatile Duncan Scott is. That dude is crazy fast

[@swimfan752]

I was 12 when this happened and it was probably the most inspiring swimming moment of my life. This motivated an entire generation of American swimmers

[@swimmer8585]

I was the same age. I’m not a swimmer anymore, but this moment still lives in my memory

[@Alaxinskywalker]

Finally, the whole race without weird edits and strange music😍😍😍

[@ordinarypersonable]

Yeeah.. I feel the same too...

[@Natasha-lx8ko]

yuhhhh

[@campbellderrico]

LMFAOOAOOAOA

[@Stryker093]

Ahahah yes😂💚♾👑💍

[@jenniferemmert4163]

Yes but commentators make it more exciting

[@gugy68]

Phelps own Lezak eternal gratitude for breaking Spitz 7 gold medals record. That last leg was incredible recovery by Lezak

[@lexieluu9341]

He owned that s$&t. It was beyond impressive

[@shazaza1]

1000%

[@CHPH-bDL]

I can't explain why and what happened with French team here, but on paper they should have been huge favorites to win this. Was it climate, time zone, inability to stand pressure, combination of factors, no idea. But it's not only Lezak swimming like there's no tomorrow, French did something wrong too.

[@cyathoris7530]

@@CHPH-bDLAlain Bernard only just lost. 46.06 even from a relay start is a monstrous time. Given that the French had a half second head I would say Bernard went like a 46.7~ ish which is still incredibly fast. Nothing to sniff at

[@CHPH-bDL]

@@cyathoris7530 it might be that he just looked slow a compared to Lezak. But all four French swimmers were freestyle specialists. They should have had two body lengths advantage before Bernard even started. 🤣 Also, Phelps did an adequate job. He finished his part ahead of French guy, so we can't simply say that the team carried him. 👍 Maybe we can say that not many countries have such huge population and training infrastructure, so it definitely helped Phelps being an American to win two relays, but he properly executed his parts.

[@andrewfurtado4427]

One of the greatest comebacks in swimming history. Absolutely unreal.

[@Fuzcapp]

Nah - Thorpe on Gary Hall Jr in the Sydney 4 x 100. A 400m specialist mows down a 100m medallist. When it happened I couldn't believe my eyes. A middle distance swimmer takes 2 seconds off a flying sprinter in the last lap - THAT'S a comeback. Smashed him like a guitar ... :-)

[@bluefamily3937]

@@Fuzcapp I remember that race it WAS awesome!

[@Fuzcapp]

@@bluefamily3937 Yeah - it's my favourite swimming race of all time.

[@TheHomelessDreamer]

@@Fuzcapp - Andrew said ONE of the greatest, not THE greatest. I agree with his point. No reason to be dismissive with that "Nah" -- "I think Thorpe's leg makes that list and might even be more impressive" would have been a better way to lead that off, and I would not have felt compelled to reply.

[@Fuzcapp]

@@TheHomelessDreamer Yeah - fair enough. These comments always read a lot more arrogant and dismissive than they are meant. Sometimes vernacular language can sound "shouty" in digital communications. Fair call.

[@tradzz5313]

Lezak was in straight God-mode. My favorite Olympic moment ever.

[@321ssteeeeeve]

Delivered into his hands a 46.06

[@timothytuannguyen]

This whole event was insane. Three teams in WR territory is freaking nuts

[@zeldasama]

Actually there was 5 at the end lol. Just 3 of them more than a second ahead. Insane

[@alessiorappa2081]

Those suits were nuts

[@lilikaramirez1848]

Almost all of them shattered the wr..thats crazy

[@bmrm2004]

suits.

[@sarvagyaupadhyay7607]

Actually there were 5

[@KenWAnderson]

Lezak was the hero there - what awesome heart! What an incredible swimmer (together with his team mates).

[@wisemang73]

I will never forget watching this live. Celebrating then. Crying now rewatching it

[@planck10-43]

I love how the crowd gets louder as the race goes on, truly amazing stuff

[@ryanhuisman5381]

Unless shown otherwise, I believe Lezak's 46.06 split in this race to be the single greatest performance in Olympic swimming history.

[@erintoney7137]

Yep he still holds the record by .08. The next fastest is 46.14.

[@lexsoft3969]

@@erintoney7137 Duncan Scott got his 46.14 in textile suit. So, for me, that was awesome.

[@jordanlevitt1638]

He rode the French guy's wave

[@toenjoyer]

@@jordanlevitt1638 I know where you saw that lmao

[@ldhd0090]

Using a full body suit over a 46 second race is supposed to give you a ~1.1s advantage (using the accepted scientific formula, [time] x 0.025 = [drop time]) so this split it equivalent to about 47.1 today, which is still crazy fast. The full body suit was banned in 2010, and particularly helped front crawl (FC) more than other strokes, that’s why the ONLY 7 (long course) world records still standing pre-2010 are ALL FC, and only 1 FC world record has been beaten since 2009 (sun yangs 1500 in 2012, controversial, possibly doping). Many relay splits since faster than 47.1 have been swam since 2009, notably Duncan Scott’s 46.14, followed by Kyle Chalmers’ 46.44, that’s a 0.3 second lead on the current 100 free short course world record holder, and on any other legal swim in history. Saying this Lezak swim is the best of all time is kind of like allowing a doping world record, except we can accurately measure the timed advantage of full body suits. Unlike doping though, it’s no fault of his own, it was legal at the time, just an significant and unfair advantage over other more recent swims.

[@reaganspomer]

Made all the better by the fact that Phelps needed to win this to break the record for most medals in one Olympic Games.

[@djm9524]

Such a shame the Croatian guy muffed his finish in the 100m butterfly.

[@kjsciacca]

Been watching sports for over 30 years. I watched this event live, and despite not even being a swimming fan it’s one of the greatest and most exciting sports moments I’ve ever seen. Didn’t even realize I’d hopped off the couch and was jumping up and down screaming my head off 😂

[@ge009]

"The United States should get the silver medal, Australia is in bronze territory right now but Lezak is closing a little bit on Bernard! Can the veteran chase him down and pull off a shocker here?" "Well there's no doubt that he's tightening up!" "Bernard is losing some ground, HERE COMES LEZAK, UNBELIEVABLE AT THE END! HE'S DONE IT! THE US HAS DONE IT!"

[@ericvansickle4305]

That looks like the U.S. call, Rowdy Gaines and Dan Hicks.

[@obamagaming6642]

the swimming equivalent of "is that glock?"

[@karina07228]

Yeah that’s called excited Rowdy Gaines 😂

[@breckr1121]

@@obamagaming6642 Yes

[@dynasty0019]

"Phelps's hopes ALIVE!!"

[@MinkyMinks24]

I always wondered where Cullen Jones went because I thought he was disappointed in his swim (even tho he was above WR pace) but you can see him at 6:19 watching from the side to see who touches first!

[@g-dub5272]

Still get goosebumps and I’m not even American

[@daviscook2904]

watch the bobby fink race bro

[@janetlovelyns8661]

Yesss!!! Me tooo🔥🙌🏽💯🤣

[@claudedottin1312]

Didn’t matter cool is cool

[@matimus100]

Strange comment slightly weird

[@sebastianwolffvlogs]

I like the US version better. It’s just something about how Rowdy Gaines says, “I don’t think Lesak can catch him” that can’t be beat

[@okzygin7756]

At least the full race is up. Baby steps.

[@ghdjpm01]

One of the most exciting Finals ever!!!! Unforgettable

[@Fuzcapp]

Maybe - almost as good as Thorpe mowing down Gary Hall Jr in the same race at Sydney.

[@lexsoft3969]

@@Fuzcapp Thorpe vs Hoogenband vs Phelps in 200m free at 2004 Olympic. Some said it was a race of the Century, because three superstars were at the same race.

[@dwilliams02]

Everyone talks about Lezak's incredible anchor, and rightfully so, but this is an underrated swim by Phelps as well. The 100 free wasn't even one of his best events, but he broke the U.S. record leading off this relay, and as we see at the end, every tenth of a second mattered.

[@rainer.zufall747]

By far the most epic comeback of the century.

[@Patrick61804]

Tough one to say, there is this, 28-3, Tiger Woods, so many comebacks this century as opposed to last one, but this is one of if not the best

[@world2349]

@@Patrick61804 not to mention warriors blowing a 3-1 lead and the Indians doing the same in the World Series.

[@rainerreczek7217]

Ayyyyyyyyy same name

[@amosstarkey485]

Barcelona-6, PSG-1

[@lamontmelrose7640]

Very close to what USA did to USSR on ice!

[@davesmith2194]

I was 8 years old watching my first olympics. I woke up early to watch the olympics as I was off school the next day. This race and event made me fall in love with swimming.

[@Howlingburd19]

Haha, I STILL remember this! Our Olympic athletes makes me so proud to be an American 🇺🇸

[@casparvoncampenhausen5249]

Imagine beating the world record, but still not getting a medal

[@mgway4661]

yes. but eamon sullivans lead-off was a WR

[@rebecacollins5220]

I would be pissed if that happened to me

[@hasheensheen]

@Tony he wouldn't be

[@MimMdance]

Sullivan did get It, right? The world record.

[@Bananaman11309]

He did get a medal tho

[@lexsoft3969]

There were only 3 guys here who had under 47 secs : 1. Jason Lezak : 46.09 2. Frederic Bosquet : 46.63 3. Alain Bernard : 46.73 So, Bernard was actually excellent as an anchor. However, Lezak was on special mission to save Michael Phelps's own mission to get 8 golds.

[@Bananaman11309]

Kind of insulting to insinuate Lezak's mission as an olympian was to help another olympian reach his goal.

[@williamwchuang]

He said he had to win for his country.

[@rectorragies540]

@@Bananaman11309 It was.

[@Bananaman11309]

@@rectorragies540 oh really did he tell you that personally?

[@rectorragies540]

@@Bananaman11309 Ok Kevin.

[@JamieK348]

This race brings tears of joy to my eyes..one of the most epic races I have ever watched. I remember it vividly..

[@LifeOdysseyMotivation]

me too

[@lordsangone]

Finally, the whole race without weird editing and music. But where is the actual broadcast commentary? Why take it down in the first place? KZbin is a weird place.

[@lordsangone]

"Catch that mthrfckr, catch that mthrfckr" - The moment when Phelps realized Lezak was going to catch that mthrfckr and win.

[@spencerking2655]

It'll be hard to top this moment, my favorite Olympic moment and it still gives me chills watching it several years later.

[@cNatTravels]

I’m so glad you provided this without commentary. Listening to the crowd’s excitement build and swell in the last 25 meters of the race was perfection. Thank you!

[@xtop23]

Ty for not editing this into the ground !! Lezak drafting that last leg on the French guys wave is such a clutch veteran move. Absolutely epic. Still blows me away.

[@godyoutuber23]

SPLITS FOR LEZAK: First 50: 21.5 Last 50: 24.56 Final time / split: 46.06 fastest split in history

[@jonathonholliday9021]

13 years later, and I still get just as fired up watching this race. Unbelievable win for the US

[@bobolson7610]

I've watched this race so many times, and I never get tired of watching it!!! JASON LEZAK!!!!

[@jalenstimes7452]

15 years later, I can still hear Rowdy and Dan screaming at the end of Lezak's leg.

[@BrandonKohout]

Michael Phelps has made a perfect 8 to win Olympic gold medals in swimming.

[@susannavuoristo-linnermo6557]

13 years ago...

[@ayejayrulez9]

Love the pfp

[@michaelceasar]

Jason Lezak was the true hero of the race

[@erwannbroccoli2734]

The match between USA and FRANCE in the 4x100 is always astonishing, look at the finals 2008, 2012, 2016 🇫🇷🇺🇸🔥

[@matimus100]

apparently your countries is better than any other countries in the world 🌎 What bad Teaching is this children

[@erintoney7137]

The way the crowd goes crazy when Lezak starts catching up… I was screaming in my room like “LETS GOOO JASON!!!”

[@ddahstan6876]

Absolutely a beasty victory!! Lezak gave every fiber is his being for this race. SO emotionally insane and satisfying!!

[@fabby2010ful]

This is really insane and incridible come back by the team USA. That's why I love USA team. I followed them in every Olympic.

[@jkuyama4162]

this is the greatest relay ever in human history

[@Fuzcapp]

Naaaaaah. Thorpe on Gary Hall Jr in the same race at Sydney.

[@ThePinguPenguin]

@@Fuzcapp or maybe the Athletics 4x100m in Tokyo 2020. Both are so similar...

[@wb8359]

Sorry, Montreal, 1976 Women's 4x 100 freestyle relay. USA comeback over DOPED (jacked to the gills) East German women.

[@Jamezy316]

Lezak is a genius, on his last 50 notice how he get as close as possible to the barrier so ride the french guys wave(dont know the technical term lol).

[@carltontaylor6500]

Drafting

[@NDTexan]

Jason Lezak...what a legend

[@patrickl.2303]

HEARING THE COMMENTATORS TALKING BEFORE, DURING AND AFTER THIS EVENT: "WHO'S TALKING NOW?!", and "STUNNED" and "HE DID IT!" and "THEY'RE GOING TO NEED ANOTHER WORD" referring the French and their commentating on the aftermath of the swim by LIzek.. 46.06. WE WANT THE VIDEO OF THIS AS IT WAS PUT OUT FOR US WATCHING IT ON TV. "WITH COMMENTARY"!

[@tekashinoodle6130]

Don’t forget the best one “IT LOOKS LIKE HES TIGHTENING UP”

[@nannaberyl897]

I couldn’t believe the first 5 teams broke the world record!!!!!

[@Bananaman11309]

I had the opportunity of meeting Jason Lezak with my swim team in the Hamptons as a kid, I wish I wish I would have seen this video beforehand... he showed us all the video and we including parents were all astonished. He even chuckled when the part of Michael Phelps going crazy came on 😂. At least I have his autograph lol

[@testmarshall]

Why am I still viewing this? Oh, I don't know how many times I've looked at the same videos, with or without the commentators. This is definitely the best for me. And I'll still view this in the future. I'm crazy. 😅

[@baoluan1288]

Jason Lezak is my hero. What an ending, Wow!

[@nanabanana7618]

I would give anything to watch this live again

[@nicholasrewey305]

6:00 got chills when the crowd stood up

[@daveanthonypublico2448]

I’ve watch this video a gazillion times already. Still in awe with what happened.

[@LilLilac]

I love that the teammates hold and raise their hands together!

[@kaiiiiii3934]

Jason Lezak 46.06 record still unbeatable , Amazing Hero

[@1funsun1]

6:19 None of the teams are watching their own teammates, they're all fixated on USA vs. France lmao

[@joshct9426]

Watching this live overnight it was unbelievable and it's still unbelievable today. This stuff really chokes you up as a proud American

[@laurafinkelstein9181]

This race, with Jason's comeback was certainly one of the most exciting!

[@speckofdust272]

Literally a fingertip finish plus they smashed the world record...Lezak was majestic... never giving up 🙏👍👏🏻

[@shadowcyborg5092]

5 teams broke the record...SHEESH

[@artimanya]

Its called tech suit doping. And their usage its now banned since 2010

[@shadowcyborg5092]

@@artimanya Still cool tho

[@breckr1121]

@@artimanya Ironic because many records before the 09' ban have been broken.

[@fermorac]

I would call it "The Phelps Effect", I don't have exact numbers but since MP started competing and breaking records, all the other swimmers improve their performance. The same thing happened when Usain Bolt was at his prime, those two guys were so amazing that they pull all the other athletes to a much better level in a shorter time period than decades ago

[@swordiexd]

The pool at Beijing was 1.5 metres deeper than the international standard pool at the time, and if you know your physics, you'll know why so many world records specifically got broken in 2008 and by such big margins.

[@path3218]

Finally the whole unedited version... but this still gives me goosebumps!

[@aitorarotzena2550]

I love Phelps' enthusiasm celebrating this win!

[@LifeOdysseyMotivation]

because he surpassed and broke Mark Spitz's 7 gold medals record in a single olympic games. and it happened to Phelps in Beijing 2008. He won 8 olympic gold. what a beast!

[@Laura22_new]

Unbelievable, Lezak. Unbelievable and just so inspiring.

[@aqualynx5341]

YES, this is the greatest swimming comeback of all time. Lezak wow !!!

[@Fuzcapp]

Naaaaaah. Thorpe on Gary Hall Jr in the same race at Sydney.

[@Goliath691975]

Best 4 X 100 freestyle relay ever. I never get tired of watching it.

[@andreahunter6052]

My heart still races when I watch this, even knowing the epic end result

[@hbfs4182]

Listen to that crowd...just amazing.

[@ottoasche7309]

46.06 for Jason Lezak...

[@lamontmelrose7640]

that is ridiculous. I couldn't swim that fast with a shark chasing me!

[@mgway4661]

he went super saiyan

[@pearlbernard7999]

Jason Lezak the legend.🇺🇸

[@UpTheDown7]

The crowd noise that starts to build at 6:11 and continues until the end of the race is absolutely insane. Amazing to hear without the announcers.

[@allennixon4745]

I wish I could’ve seen this on live tv but watching this again seeing Phelps reaction really amazing comeback from team USA.

[@itsvittle]

I come back and watch this video every year or two when it pops up on my feed and it has never failed to give me goosebumps. All credit to Lezak and his amazing performance here that ultimately enabled Phelps to go onto win 8 golds.

[@azntimewizard]

7:58 for the underwater camera view of that wall touch that can’t be denied about 16 years later

[@yuxc]

Anyone else from the US enjoying this video without commentary lol 😂

[@JohnKnees]

Imagine the pressure on Lezak as he stood waiting on the blocks to dive in. How he managed to chase down Bernard is incredible.

[@grandohuckabee]

Shows you it ain't over till it's over

[@BattleTested]

💯

[@jimellenw]

Sometimes somebody does something he should not be able to do. Lezak's last 50 was truly remarkable.

[@SuperHello64]

This race still gives me chills and I love it

[@sallydaniel1023]

Sixteen years later, this still gives me chills. An iconic Olympic race 🇺🇸

[@fernandocanchucaja5118]

The greatest comeback of all time without a doubt. Lezak is a monster and Phelps, what else can be said about him? legends

[@SgtPrice1000]

46.06. A time and a 100m split that may stand forever. Simply. Legendary.

[@matthieup.4610]

Freddy Bousquet’s freestyle is so beautiful to watch

[@alberto-hm6em]

My mother is friends with Jason Lezaks sister and I’ve met Jason he’s a really nice dude I have great respect for him ✊🏽

[@alberto-hm6em]

@Tony what i’m telling the truth

[@alberto-hm6em]

@Tony my mom and his sister are friends from work and we see him sometimes at meets

[@Jshaggy515]

This race will forever give me chills 😅

[@RedCard94]

I stand by what I always have since 2008, this was the greatest relay swim I've ever seen. The drama, the suspense, and a close finish. And it was only a few days into the games.

[@Ozefan2580]

I miss the version with Rowdy Gaines (it was him, right?) going nuts. Great commentator.

[@daviddemaria3982]

Yes, and Dan Hicks

[@courtaevans]

I would like to thank my kinfolk for losing the lead to set up one of the greatest comebacks and moments in Olympic history! My comment is in great humor y'all!

[@bobjonsun4201]

The arena erupted when USA came back to win! So inspiring and so happy for Usa6

[@zona999]

I will NEVER forget watching this live

[@divinesoul2148]

Lezak and Phelps look so identical in caps before the race

[@1PlainOne]

Lesak stole my heart when he poured out his....my husband and I were so astonished

[@liberalegypt]

Gratest French team ever Bernard Bousquet Leveaux .. deserve to be the world record holder for a century

[@matimurray5078]

This has been the most significant medal for the American team, this was personal between the France and USA swimming team.

[@KeithHiew]

This swim gives me goosebumps every time I watch it. And at the end, 5 out of the 8 were UNDER WR.

[@LifeOdysseyMotivation]

imagine breaking the world record but still didn't get the medal. tsk tsk tsk!

[@nolwaziluthuli1771]

Nothing will ever hype me up more than this event😢❤

[@danieldobrosky8378]

No it is in fact the greatest collection of swimmers to ever hit the pool at the same time...

[@BeautifulMorning-dl6nl]

Gives me chills, so breathtaking

[@jacobspaulding4366]

This is the greatest comeback in swimming of all time. No doubt

[@user-ok4tv5pe7]

Jason lezack is not a human, he is a monster shark

[@MultiGreatescape]

I always think Lezak deserves more credit; overshadowed by Phelps' glorious medal haul.

[@mht4908]

He really was crucial to Phelps achieving his 8 gold medals goal, and him riding on Bernard's wave for the first 50m really shows his level of experience and intelligence

[@lajohnson1ly]

IDK - no one ever forgets that last 15 meters, or that his 46.06 split is still the fastest all-time. What I had forgotten was Eamonn Sullivan's 47.24 WR leading off for Oz.