Giaan Rooney goes public with eye-opening 'rumour' around American swimmers at Olympics

Australian great Giaan Rooney has revealed 'rumours' the Americans will extend the swimming program at the LA Olympics in 2028 to give their athletes more rest and a better chance to win gold. The swimming program at the Olympics traditionally goes for eight days, but has been extended by one in Paris to nine.

The longer program is believed to be designed around accommodating French superstar Leon Marchand, who is attempting to win four gold medals at his home Games. On Wednesday night, Marchand won his third gold of the meet with victory over Aussie Zac Stubblety-Cook in the 200m breaststroke - adding it to his 200m butterfly and 400m individual medley titles.

And he can make it four gold medals at the one Games if he wins the 200m individual medley. With such a packed schedule, local organisers made the unprecedented move of extending the swimming program to nine days so Marchand has more rest and a better chance to perform.

'Rumours' USA will make swimming program even longer in 2028

Aussie greats Rooney and Ian Thorpe have made mention of the move a number of times in commentary for Channel 9 throughout the first week of the Olympics. But on Wednesday night, Rooney went public with reports the Americans will follow suit in four years' time.

"The thing to consider is Leon Marchand had the star power to make this Olympic program nine days," Rooney said after his win over Stubblety-Cook. "There's a rumour the swimming component of LA could be a lot longer."

Thorpe responded: "I have heard that, Giaan. Who is that for?" To which she said: "Well, stretching it out for all of the American athletes. The US loves swimming."

America make underwhelming start to Paris Olympics

Rooney's claim came after Katie Ledecky won the 1500m freestyle gold to make more swimming history for America. But the US wouldn't be happy with the three gold medals they're won in the pool so far - one less than Australia.

The US have won the most overall medals at the Games so far, but only five gold. Australia, the US and China are always neck-and-neck to claim the most gold in the pool, but after four days of competition it's Australia leading the way.

Aussie Olympian James Magnussen reckons the underwhelming performance from the Yanks is part of the reason they're complaining about the depth of the pool in Paris. The much shallower pool means it's choppier and harder to swim in, which has resulted in just one world record being broken so far.

“Not only is Australia winning races, but America are losing events they would’ve been banking on for gold medals. So this rivalry is at fever pitch at the midway point of this swimming meet," Magnussen said in Paris on Tuesday.

“A lot of complaints about this pool, most of those complaints are being aimed from our friends in America. They’re not happy with the depth of the pool, they’re saying there’s too many cameras in the pool, it’s causing waves for the swimmers. Is that a coincidence that they’ve only got two gold medals and they’re complaining about the pool depth.”

Extending the swimming program to accommodate American athletes will certainly raise a few eyebrows if it comes to fruition in four years time in LA. There's no doubt the US will be desperate to top the medal tally (overall and gold) at their home Olympics in 2028, with China their main threat. It would be a national embarrassment if Australia manage to outdo America in their home pool.

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The US and China finished 1-2 in overall and gold medals in Tokyo in 2021, and an America triumph in Paris would be the eighth-consecutive time they've won the most overall medals at the Summer Olympics. But the gold total is the one that matters most, and it won't go down well if they don't perform in front of their home fans in LA.