Missy Franklin, 20, USA
Events 100m, 200m backstroke; 100m, 200m freestyle
A superstar at 16 after winning three golds at the 2011 championships, Franklin appeared unstoppable at the Olympics and in Barcelona, winning the swimmer of the year title in consecutive years. Last year was subdued in comparison as she focused on her studies but Franklin turned professional this spring after closing her NCAA career with three national titles. Like Ryan Lochte, she has dabbled in TV, with guest appearances in reality shows, and recently signed a deal to become the face of Speedo.
Adam Peaty, 20, Great Britain
Events 50m, 100m, 200m breaststroke
Swimming to a world record three months before a world championships is unusual in that the aim is not to peak early but there is hope that Peaty’s performance in the 100m in April was a sign of things to come. When his competitors glance along the starting blocks, he may feel a newfound pressure, having arrived suddenly on the scene with a 50m world record, four European gold medals and two Commonwealth titles last year – but Peaty insists he is out to prove he is not a flash in the pan.
Ryan Lochte, 30, USA
Events 200m freestyle; 200m IM
Still a formidable force, despite entering the twilight of his career, the 2013 world swimmer of the year has more than 50 gold medals in major championships but is adamant his hunger has not diminished. Scheduled to compete in five separate events, the highlight could be his butterfly collision with Chad le Clos, which both will be confident of winning. A holder of three world records and three former records, there is an air of celebrity about Lochte; he has patented his self-explanatory catchphrase “Jeah” and had a reality show on E! cancelled after five weeks.
Ruta Meilutyte, 18, Lithuania
Events 50m, 100m breaststroke
An Olympic champion at 15, Meilutyte also broke three world records in 2013 – in the 50m, 100m long course and 50m short. Last year was quieter for Meilutyte, who trains in Plymouth, having moved there from Kaunas five years ago to live with her father and brother – her mother died in a car accident in 2001 – but she is expected to prosper in Kazan. Her most impressive asset is her astounding ability to gain an advantage from the starting blocks.
Siobhan-Marie O’Connor, 19, Great Britain
Events 200m IM; 200m freestyle
Although she competed at London 2012, O’Connor remains Great Britain’s next big hope after winning six medals at the Commonwealth Games, her first podium finishes at a major competition. Four of those six were silver, with only Chad le Clos having more of a return by winning seven medals in Glasgow. O’Connor cited lifting weights and additional training as the key to her success last year and is going to Kazan with genuine shots at a medal.
Christian Sprenger, 29, Australia
Events 50m, 100m breaststroke
The leading contender on the men’s side of the Australia team because of James Magnussen’s decision to have shoulder surgery in an attempt to be at full strength for the 2016 Olympics, Sprenger will arrive in Kazan to defend his 100m breaststroke title, while aiming to improve on his bronze finish in the sprint. He is a former world record holder at 200m, too. Rio will likely be his final Olympics and having won silvers in Beijing and London, his form here will be worth monitoring a year out from the biggest stage.
Katie Ledecky, 18, USA
Events 200m, 400m, 800m, 1500m freestyle
Even at this early stage of her career, it would not be an exaggeration to say Ledecky could go down as the greatest swimmer of all. The youngest member of Team USA at the London Games, at 15, she arrived with a bang when winning the 800m freestyle. That was followed by four golds in Barcelona, five at last year’s Pan-Am games and she will be aiming to maintain her perfect streak at the majors here. Ledecky has set seven world records, breaking her 1500m time twice and should run those times close again, where the longer the distance the wider the gulf in class.
Chad le Clos, 23, South Africa
Events 200m freestyle; 50m, 100m, 200m butterfly
Unique in that to the passing observer his father, Bert, is perhaps more recognisable following those memorable interviews in 2012, Le Clos arrives in Russia after an impressive medal haul last season – six golds, one silver, four bronze – which led to him deservedly being named the world swimmer of the year. It makes him an overwhelming favourite across the butterfly divisions and he will be looking to add more world records to his short-course times over 100m and 200m.
Cate Campbell, 23, Australia
Events 50m, 100m freestyle
The 2012 Olympic 4x100m freestyle champion cleaned up at last summer’s Commonwealth Games and Pan Asian games, winning seven golds and a silver, and will be expected to set the tone here in advance of Rio. Heralded as Australia’s next “darling of the pool” before the Beijing Games, things did not initially turn out as planned for Campbell but last season she built on her impressive form in the 2013 world championships in Barcelona and is widely expected to progress further again this season. Will also be competing in the same events as her younger sister Bronte.
Yuliya Efimova, 23, Russia
Events 50m, 100m, 200m breaststroke
This will be Efimova’s first major competition since the completion of a doping ban in February but she will enter as the top ranked swimmer in her races this year over 50m and 100m following the Russian national championships and represents the host nation’s greatest medal chance. Holds the world record for the 50m short course but her long-course records in 50m, 100m and 200m have been beaten since testing positive for the prescription steroid DHEA. Out to make amends.
