USA vs France: The most epic Swim Relay Finish - Beijing 2008
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- čas přidán 20. 11. 2018
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Led by anchor Jason Lezak, the USA 4x100m free relay team, including Michael Phelps, swam one the greatest come-from-behind races in history of the Olympic Games against the French team. Frédéric Bousquet and Alain Bernard tell us more about their experience from the Olympic Games 2008 in Beijing.
The inside story on the unknown, overlooked, and unforgettable moments from swimming, alpine skiing, and athletics’ iconic 100m final: bit.do/OnTheLineENGL
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Jason Lezak had the most insane swim of his life to add on to Phelps legacy 8 gold medals. He was totally possessed.
Possessed is the perfect word. Man performed on another level than everyone else
Yeah Colin jones almost gave it away
Don Waltz No. In the Bud Greenspan documentary, Lezak talks about how Cullen Jones kept his poise as the French swimmer passed him and did not “over swim” his race.
Lezac is a God .... he almost walked on water to win that .... I must have watched that race 1000 times and it Never fails to give me goos bumps !
@@michaelback9516 still to this day
Lezak's performance was one of the greatest athletic achievements ever. Sheer force of will, combined with skill.
If Bernard swam on the right side it would have been différents
@@jacquessowhat3680 He's not wrong though... Lezak rode the perfect wake while behind Bernard to conserve energy. It was amazing. But the best swimmer in that pool was Bernard. Lezak doesn't even hold a record in 100m free. Mind you I was cheering for the Americans, but it was a miracle they won.
@@austinsutton27 it was amazing.
@@austinsutton27 I wouldn't call it a miracle. Using an opponent's mistake to win is something that veterans often do in sports. Lezak saw the mistake Bernard made and used it to his advantage to conserve energy giving him the needed energy to overtake Bernard at the end of the race. That is a veteran move.
@@Lunzatis_Palemoon That's not true. Not all wakes make It over the ropes. I swam for many years so I have some knowledge coming into this. The wake generated was a "perfect storm" to take advantage of but that time nonetheless will be the fastest time swum for a very long time. And like I said, Lezak doesn't even hold a record ever in 100 free.
One of the most exciting swim relays in Olympic history. That last half-lap by Lezak was unbelievable.
This race was epic, even the 4th place broke the world record. Amazing 👏 🙀
Brent Hayden!
Your team breaks the world record !!! And finishes 4th. That is not fair. Give them a tin medal at keas
@@shawnyoung8752why ? While they were beating the WR, 3 teams were ahead of them doing even better
@@shawnyoung8752 breaking the world record isn't the aim ;)
Technically they didn’t break the record because the U.S. finished before they and that was the new record
If Alain Bernard had been swimming in the middle of his lane like he should have, Lezak probably doesn't catch him.
Lezak undoubtedly used the wake coming off Bernard to conserve energy until the final 15 meters, then poured it on to win.
Smart, savvy move by a veteran swimmer in Lezak and a huge tactical mistake by Bernard.
I completely agree with this. Lezak used his experience as a veteran to take advantage of a tactical mistake by an opponent.
@@jay1373 ikr. He thinks nobody else watched the video with subtitles on 😂 he basically repeated what the French he guy said word for word.
Bousquet wanted Bernard to go 2nd becoz he was inexperienced and young at the time and was prone to making mistakes due to pressure but the French higher ups changed their order in order to sell the story of the youngster winning gold for France. Pretty pathetic lol.
Winners just find a way to win.
Lezak swam 46 flat. That's not luck that's the fastest swim in history. if you add in 0.6 - 07 reaction time, his time is still better than the current world record today by at least 10 tenths of a second.
This should be forever known as LEZAK'S greatest race!!! What a stud
OMG! The editing is so weird and creepy. It feels like watching a tragic documentary.
For France yeah
hahahahahahahah
🤣🤣
it is
Les misérables 😂😂😂
video editing is very strange
Lol yea
Yeah ikr
Exactly.
I watch this live long time 2008
vezmike no cap i liked it
I don't know why everyone hates the editing but I really liked it, it gave me that rivalry feels between two great teams.
For one, he has the announcers yelling that he's done it before he even touched the wall. That's not how it went down.
I love how everyone's commenting about the editing and not how that was one crazy swim relay 😂👌
It really was because they were way ahead
Why did a 3 year old edit this
because the 4 year old was busy doing nursery school homework...
@@georgepronto7653 rofl
22134567980poiuyrrwasdfghjkllnvzxz
This was so epic, I have to watch it at least once a year. The call by Dan Hicks and Rowdy Gaines is legendary.
Very enlightening to hear the views of the French swimmers. It was such a letdown for them. As an American, I was elated with Jason Lezak's phenomenal performance.
anything you can share? What did they think of Lezak's sprint? Did they say maybe they shouldn't have been talking smack before the race, "The Americans,? We're going to smash them" I believe was the sentiment
@@camillep3631 they have said in press releases that they never said sentiments like that, that it was coaches and media that were hyping it up. I'm not sure what the truth is, but I could believe either side
Me too. This is why you don't get cocky and talk smack before a race. What a thrilling upset! I got to hold Lezak's gold medal from this race when he came to do a swim clinic. He was very humble about it.
Best race I ever saw. True example of team spirit.
Video editing is more painfull than watching france loose
Tashi Gyaltsen your spelling of a simple word is more painful to read than watching the video
You can relieve your pain watching london olympics
@Space QuackHD seriously? lame
They were to cocky and got pounded hahahahahahah
GSA USA all the way 🇺🇸 💪🏼💪🏼
Lezak's performance was awesome. His outstanding time, of 46.06 s, is explained by the use of a swim suit, the reaction time and mostly because of Bernard's draft. Bernard failed in swimming next to his lane and Lezak was very intelligent in taking advantage of it.
Everyone was using a swim suit.
why couldn’t you guys just upload the regular clip
amber z the regular clip is on their channel in a different video. the point of this video is to show the french side of this race
Where is it??
@@bwadehra Notice that it doesn't mention that at all in the video title or description. Oh, and both are in English, but the French that occupies 60% of this video has no subtitles, no translation. A lot of French speakers understand English, but not many English speakers understand French.
Its like telling someone you're serving them vanilla ice cream then acting surprised when they get upset that its coconut with raisins. English speakers clicked on this video to rewatch an epic match in ENGLISH.
@@ryanthomas82 Did you enable the English subtitles?
It's on Vimeo now. Full broadcast with no bullshit editing.
Jason Lezak, with this race, cemented himself as one of the greatest, if not the greatest sprinter of all time!! Olympic history was made twice here in the same event!!
He’s not even close to being one of the best sprinters of all time, which is why this relay performance is so incredible. Especially to do it against Bernard, who went on to win the Gold in the 100 Fr
I bet the relay order change messed with the French swimmers heads they’d been practicing the order of the exchanges for weeks. The more fatal mistake was Frances anchor letting lezak draft off of him. The Americans were undoubtedly filled with a wild energy. From Phelps who wanted 8, Webber-Gale whose first Olympic final was this event, Jones who had fought hard to earn that relay spot, to lezak who was possessed and went 46.06. At the end of the day nothing matters except how you swim. The French got their dub 4 years later so I don’t see this as a sad ending for them.
note: the next Olympics it was the French who rode the wake on the way in. After 3 finishes like this, I think the anchoer leg will learn to not swim near the lane line to give up a wake ride
Without a doubt, 🇺🇸 & 🇫🇷 were & still among the 2 best countries when it comes to Swimming.
Jason Lestak had the swim of a lifetime. One of the best of all time.
Still the fastest ever.
And Lezak’s split of 46.06 is still .85 ahead of the current world record, so even accounting for reaction time, he would have the world record by a pretty big margin
Wrong. He would not achieve close to that time if he swam on his own without draft from Bernard for 75 out of the 100 meters.
Lezak is one helluva Beast
@@Hmkls ...and the suit. He's the body type that the '08 and '09 suit helped most. But Bernard also has that body type so... Anyway Lezak is the hero of heroes. if I see him I will bow. So please don't take my comment wrong.
That costumes made you swim faster
Alyssa Frizzo it doesn't work like that, it is a relay start, gives more advantage than just taking away the reaction time. you also don't get the draft and the motivation of a chase down.
I remember meeting Lezak such an inspiration. Great guy. I was so young and he came to be a speak at our team banquet. Truly one of the greatest.
46.06 for Jason Lezak.
Amazing Relay i've ever seen 😱😱😱😱😱
I'll never forget watching this when it was first aired. I've never been more excited about sports in my life.
Me too! i was screaming yelling jumping up and down like crazy!!! lol
The last 15 meters was just amazing from Jason!!
The French don't have anything to be ashamed about. Lezak just found some superhuman strength and pulled off the fastest split in history. I still watch this race whenever I want to feel motivated and think something is a done deal. Most incredible sport upset I have ever seen, knowing how impossible making up that gap is in the sport of swimming.
Seriously, they went 3.91 seconds faster than the previous world record. That is completely obliterating the record. The bad news was that the US relay went 3.99 seconds faster.
Certainly one of the Greatest Sports Moments in history.
Was like watching making a murderer
OMG you're right HAHA
What an incredible effort. Never watched swimming, but this is one of my favorite Olympic replays
Why is the editing so weird?
cause documentary shows how french swimmers have beeen spoiled by french tvs and french papers...
Isso só prova que nunca se deve cantar vitória antes de ganhar !!!! Os USA sempre serão as lendas da Natação !!!!!
These graphics are wack
wack?
Gien Bot wAcK
don't undersatand. Repeating it doesn't explain it.
Gien Bot wack means bad
@@gienbot7954 sorry that you can't take 5 seconds out of your day and look it up
I still remember!what a epic race .the best..... i ever seen.. period! Go usa ! Still watching after 12 years .
Haha, I STILL remember this! Our Olympic athletes makes me so proud to be an American 🇺🇸
This never gets old!!!
I remember this like it was yesterday, its one of my favourite races of all time with the back story and buildup. Its nice to hear what the thoughts of the french team were at the time as Bernard is one of my favourite swimmers!
Gosh the video editing is strangely annoying though haha!
I was 11 when i watched this live in 2008, i too can remember it and it gave me such a feeling to not give up when it looks like you’re behind. What a great moment in history it will be
Yeah bro! I was 14 and i remember i went to training like 11 times/week for the next month after watching this because i was so motivated! haha... I wish kids these days looked up to Olympians like most of us did back then!
this video is STUPID all it is is the FRENCH making excuses!!!!
You’re the only comment that hasn’t complained about the editing
@@deborahporter9731 dude stfu these are RAESONS not excuses, Alain had made a lot of mistakes wich makes it why they lost it. And the whole point of the vid is trying to understand the emotions of the french when they lost the biggest moment of their lives
Lezak is like almost out of the water during the comeback 50m LMAO so much power
Alain Bernard was a great champion. He should never be negative about getting beat by Lezak’s once in a lifetime miracle.
He got his revenge shortly after. Nice that everyone had their spot in the lime light.
Running and swimming relays are perhaps the most iconic and exciting sport events.
This relay race and 100m butterfly demonstrate how difficult is to win 8 gold olympic medals!
Phelps once in a lifetime champion.
Yeah, hopefully it's not done again soon because of the added events. Swimming is already mocked a bit by talking heads because there's more medals to be won than any other sport. I don't mind the addition of the 800/1500 for men/women at all because sprinters already get all the glory but mixed relays.... Smh..
Why give Phelps even more motivation by talking smack. That was the first huge mistake.
Let's be honest, in this race Jason Lezak saved the whole team. France have done it better until Lezak came in, I mean, he swam a 46.06!!!! Still in 2019 that's the fastest 100 free EVER. He saved Phelps and his team
@@RigoOXx Very true
Phelps was getting whipped in his leg, if it was a one of 100m he got slammed
@@jessefolpp6972 Not really, he was second after his leg and the only reason he wasn't first was cause Eamon Sullivan broke the existing world record in his swim. He beat the French guy Leveaux too.
@@Lukithunder correct. Lezak did the race of his life, but Weber-Gail race was also amazing (won) and crucial for the victory. And also Phelps beat Leveaux.
LEZAK= INTELLIGENCE, TECHNIQUE, STAMINA, LUCIDITY & CLARITY OF MIND , SELF CONFIDENCE AND .....
I can’t wait to see the 2022 Beijing china winter Olympic Games events and the 2024 Paris France 🇫🇷 summer Olympic Games events
Proverbs 29:23- A man’s pride will bring him low, But a humble spirit will obtain honor.
Greatest swim in Olympic history from the greatest relay swimmer in US history.
Greatest live sporting event I have ever watched!
I need my American brother to watch this every day. I have never felt more American that on this day watching in a bar downtown, America being the underdog, but actually winning gold. I dapped up White, black, Asian, and Hispanic Americans on this day. It was just awesome. That feeling carried on throughout the rest of the night. Only good vibes. That night was awesome.
What is even more impressive is that bernard's split also was a super quick 46.73 and lezak did it
it is not so impressive for bernard don't forget he is the world record holder in the 4 100 athen 2009 he swam 46.35
Jason Lezak, just amazing.
One of the best Olympics events I’ve ever seen!
Lezak and Bernard: tied in the final strokes
Audio edit (two seconds too early): He's done it! The U.S. has done it!
Change title to France vs USA “How we almost got away with gold”. But all jokes aside they put in some incredible splits, they just had one problem Lezak went full Beast mode!
That literally is the title.
Still stands as the best relay split ever
Thankfully they got their revenge in 2012 and 2013. Pretty unlucky for Bernard to manage a perfectly fine time only to fall on someone who pulls off a 46 sec...
It's like Jason Lezak had one Mario Kart Mushroom boost and used it at the last second.
I was in high school when this happened. My mom made me leave the room to do homework but then backed up the DVR and made me come back in to watch the race, so awesome!
As as American it is quite interesting to hear the perspective of the French and how all these years later it still is difficult for him talk about. The coaching decision, while many will argue is a fluke of an excuse, is definitely something to consider. Anyone who's played team sports knows that most times you have a role and stepping outside that comfort zone can throw you for a loop. Even the greatest in the world can sometimes blow nearly a second lead on a 50m swim. But man, 12 years later and I still get goosebumps watching that race. Iconic moment in American Olympic Sports History.
Horrible excuse. Maybe if there was no change they win, but equally likely they lose by more. Just because one strategy lead to a loss, doesn't mean the opposite strategy would've won. Horrible excuse and toxic mindset.
France smashed the WR, USA just swam faster.
as a swimmer, i just realize now that waves made from the other swimmer can make you go faster.
what the heck!!
Is this a joke? If not haven't you ever been leading the lane with someone on your feet? So you make them lead and now you're on their feet.. Especially someone as big and fast as Bernard will leave a huge wave and current.
After watching Simone's two big wins it makes me think Dressel should completely chill the first 50 and drop the hammer coming home. Imagine how easy he would be going that first lap with his start. He'd almost be able to truly negative split a 100 meter freestyle.
Ok, only a question (from someone who can't swim and, oblivious, know nothing about the wave in swimming) But if you look the American athlete stay near the border, not in the center of his space... But the French one do the same. He is near the border (the same border) too. And if the French guy stay here by change... Why we can't say the same for the American one?
Yes you see that also and lezak rode him all the way
I watch this video multiple times a year. We all do.
I was watching the race in Taiwan. Couldn’t believe what I was seeing. The newspaper headlines that night and next morning were insane.
what a beast Jason Lezak
USA WORLD FAVORITE IN SWIMMING 🏊♀️
Thank you for the translation. I always wondered why Bernard swam so close to the lane line. That was a beginner's mistake that cost them the gold. The fact that the coaches changed the relay order at the last minute is inexcusable.
I guess Rowdy is correct after all. Which way Bernard was breathing played an extremely important role in one of swimming's all time historic races.
Amen! Someone say it, finally!
If Bernard don't swan so close to the lane line none can "Ride the wave"...
Experience teach Lezak to do that and (still) don't to Bernard.
This race was insane. At one point, half the field was ahead of the world record split.
Amazing video, thanks😍
when you were so close to victory, it kills you, it's heartbreaking
It was never about revenge, it was about the "talking" before the race. If the french didn't start talking big, no one would care.
Jason Lezak shined! He's a hero of the highest order!
Gracias por subtitularlo al español hay mucha gente hispana que quiere ver estos videos
The NBC coverage made this more dramatic, honestly. I loved every bit of the race.............
thanks for uploading
I came here to see the victory of Michael Phelps and the USA, not hear whining and crying from France.
Well youre in luck. No french seems to watching
The guy who edited this video was probably french
I understand, but so many accounts of this race are from the former point of view and not the latter. If Bousquet had led off as he usually did, he probably would have been closer to Phelps (that 47.51 leg was his career best 100M) than Levaux. On the other hand Bousquet crushed Jones in the third leg. I saw this race live, and I thought with Bernard anchoring they had it. Lezak seemed to rise out of the water the last 15M.
This editing was actually insane.
C'est l'une des plus beaux relai si c'est le plus des relais en natation de l'histoire des jeux olympiques. Mais la France tant bien que les États-Unis. L'une des plus belles rivalités au relai 4×100m nage libre aux JO 2008 ,2012,2016.
I actually loved the editing of this video. It make it a lot more dramatic.
Thoughtful context and human scale to an extraordinary race. Really enjoyable, the editing albeit peculiarly haunting, brought forward well-timed facets to the story.
You cant be real with this video edit
I love the deeper look into the thoughts of the swimmers on the other side :) just some of the editing was odd but the dialogue and storytelling was incredible
Look at Lezak's technique around 4:20 when he catches up with Bernard. He waits for his second arm to come into the water before the pulling with his 1st arm. It's like both his arms are pulling quickly one after the other.
Great video! Congrats.
The announcer makes it epic.
you are legends and this is the most important thing
I remember watching this on tv, it was totally engaging and exciting. Two great relay teams. Congrats to both, although the disappointment for the French was huge.
This guy Michael Phelps. Well he is just
OUTSTANDING !! Just keep swimming !!
someone, come get your three year old. He's uploading olympic swimming videos and editing the awfully
In 2016 Rio Olympics the TEAM USA won de 4 X 100 Free Style relay against France, so now is 2 to 1 for USA
Well this happened in 2008 and in London the French won so I guess they're tied? Who won in Rio?
@@marshajulessa2995 LOL, it's plainly stated in the comment that the US won in 2016 Rio.
One of the all time best relay races ever....smack down from smack talk...USA CLOWNED AND CROWNED
Bernard didn't have a bad split. It's just that Lezak had freakin' wings in the final 50.
It is the American spirit. Winning mentality is the reason they got back and won. "Keep Fighting" is the keyword.
Im in love with the editing 😍
Can't wait for Tokyo next year!!
Chasing down a guy who's just recently set the world record, and has a half body length head start on you... UNBELIEVABLE...this swim by Lezak is as impressive a feat as the entire eight gold medals Michael Phelps won, IMO. Unbelievable team player.
100% of the comments - Editing
No one - Phelps scream and flex😭😂
Phelps debía lograr su cometido histórico a través de su equipo sólo en ese instante. No hay lugar a comparar uno a uno o equipo a equipo en carreras posteriores.
That is LITTERLY LEGENDARY
Fiquei totalmente dividida. Sempre torço pros norte americanos. Mas nesse caso, os franceses estavam muito melhores. Alain Bernard foi tão bacana com nosso César Cielo. Acontece que Jason Lezak não foi humano. Ele simplesmente foi um super humano. Ele foi o vencedor dessa prova.
Idc...still one of the best swimming races I've ever seen
Oh yes I remember that race very well indeed
Can never get over this win 🤯
Muy buen video, felicidades para quienes trabajaron en ello y un abrazo a los atletas.
Interesting to see another side of the greatest relay ever. Nothing to scoff at getting getting silver medal.