Hubert Kos Adopting Heavy (and Intriguing) Program for European Championships
Frequently, entry lists for major competitions must be viewed through a skeptical lens. They are not always meant to reflect the actual program an athlete is adopting for the meet ahead, but instead reveal the options on the table. Yet, they can also offer intrigue, and serve as discussion points. How many of the entries will a swimmer contest? Oh look, a new event is being considered.
The event potential for Hubert Kos at next week’s European Championships qualifies as compelling.
The initial psych sheets for Euros list Kos, the Hungarian star and reigning Olympic champion in the 200-meter backstroke, in six events in Paris. In addition to entries in all three backstroke disciplines, Kos is entered in the 100 butterfly, 200 butterfly and 200 individual medley. There are multiple conflicts on the schedule with Kos’ entries, so the likelihood of the University of Texas product racing each event is slim.
At last year’s World Championships in Singapore, Kos was superb. In addition to claiming a second world title in the 200 backstroke, while moving into the all-time top five with a swim of 1:53.19, he was the bronze medalist in the 200 medley, going a career best of 1:55.34. There was also a fourth-place finish in the 100 backstroke, where Kos set a national record of 52.20.
Whether all three of those events remain on the program has already been determined between Kos and his coach, Bob Bowman, and soon will become public knowledge. Also soon to be revealed is whether Kos will race the 100 butterfly and 200 fly, events in which he owns respective personal-best marks of 50.55 and 1:56.01. If the Hungarian sees both events through, he’s expected to be in the medals mix.
The 200 fly time was recorded at last December’s U.S. Open, and there is little doubt Kos has something much faster in his arsenal. His butterfly skill has developed over the past few years, evident in his runnerup finish in the 100 fly at the NCAA Championships last March. Sure, that was a short-course race, but Kos has flashed brilliance in all formats during his career, and his 200-meter talent has been proven between his work in the 200 backstroke and 200 IM.
At the European Champs, the semifinals of the men’s 200 butterfly comes just two races before the final of the 50 backstroke, making for a challenging double. Meanwhile, Kos is also facing a difficult double on the last night of action, with the finals of the 200 IM and 100 backstroke separated by only the women’s 200 butterfly.
As Kos prepares for his return to Paris, which landed him the highlight of his career at the 2024 Olympic Games, decisions must be made (or have already been settled). If nothing else, the 23-year-old’s program is full of intrigue, some newer events potentially offering the chance to see his rare range.
