Another FAB article from the J.Lo of Sports Reporting

By JOHN LOHN
jlohn@delcotimes.com

The road to Beijing is miles long and days away, but routes to the 2008 Olympics are already being mapped out. Although Athens remains a fresh memory, the nature of sports is to look ahead.

What's next? Who's next? These are questions that are constantly asked in the swimming world. As in, how low can times go? Which youngsters are the next American stars?

Brendan Hansen hears the questions, often from himself. A been-there, done-that athlete, Hansen has nothing left to prove in the pool. If he walked away tomorrow, he'd be revered as one of the greatest breaststrokers in history.

But, Hansen has a unique approach to his many accomplishments. Rather than focus on the past, he is motivated by curiosity and an insatiable hunger. The chance to relive history will always be there. The chance to make more, however, will not.

So, beginning Friday, Hansen will address the next phase of his career. Competing at the United States World Championship Trials in Indianapolis, the Haverford High graduate is chasing invitations to Montreal. If successful in the 100 and 200 breaststroke events, Hansen will compete in his third World Championships, slated for North of the Border in July.

As important, a successful meet will begin his journey toward China in positive fashion. Sure, the next Olympiad is years away. Nonetheless, Beijing is a long-term focal point.

"There are a lot of things that drive me," Hansen said. "It's not so much one thing or one individual. I've raised the bar and now it's time to look higher and see what I can do. It's time to put a stamp that I'm not going anywhere."

Last year was nothing short of magical for Hansen, who concluded 2004 with a pair of individual world records from the Olympic Trials and a rainbow of medal

Then again, Hansen is the last person to place limitations on himself. For that reason, he is confident he can get faster and add a few more achievements to the resume.

In two previous World Championships — in Japan and Spain — the University of Texas product has collected four medals. There's good reason to believe that total could reach eight. Of course, for that scenario to unfold, Hansen must take care of business in Indianapolis.

"It's been a little weird because I haven't raced as much as past years," said Hansen, referring to his first season away from the collegiate scene. "But I've been feeling better every day and I'm looking forward to things. I feel fast. This is the first time I won't be coming off the NCAA Championships for Spring Nationals, so that's good."

When Hansen steps onto the blocks in Indy, he's unlikely to be challenged by his American competition. Such is the gap he has created within the borders of the United States. The clock, though, is the ultimate indicator for a swimmer and has the potential to send riptides through the swimming community.

Yes, a couple of sizzling times would make for a major statement, most notably to Japan's Kosuke Kitajima, the Olympic champ in both breast events. There's no denying the rivalry that has brewed between Hansen and Kitajima.

Although Kitajima won double-gold in Athens, his victory in the 100 breast was saturated with controversy. Off the start and turn, underwater cameras showed Kitajima using an illegal dolphin kick for extra propulsion.

Then, a few months ago, Fumihiko Iwahara questioned whether Hansen could improve his world-record times. A researcher with the Japan Institute of Sports Sciences, Iwahara suggested that Hansen produced the perfect race during his 100 breast world record, mainly because he wasn't pressured. That sentiment was reiterated by Kitajima's coach, Norimasa Hirai.

Of course, anyone familiar with the United States Olympic Trials knows the intense level of pressure that is present at the event. And, considering the tactics employed by Kitajima in Athens, it took some serious audacity for his camp to publicly question Hansen's skills.

In tune only with his objectives, Hansen has paid little mind to Kitajima. From Hansen's viewpoint, producing his best is all he can ask. As for the perfect race, Hansen has long declared that there is no such thing. It's that mentality that has proven beneficial over the years.

"I don't know much about it and I can't worry about it anyway," Hansen said of the comments from Kitajima's corner. "It's not me against him. For me, the big thing is to go out and set a world record on an international stage. I'm worried about what I'm doing. There's more to prove."

Since walking away from the World Short Course Championships in October with four gold medals and Swimmer of the Meet accolades, Hansen has adjusted to a different lifestyle. Less hectic in some ways, his daily routine is more jam-packed in other aspects.

Without collegiate swimming, Hansen's racing schedule has been greatly reduced. No dual meets. No Big 12 Championships. No NCAA Champs. Instead, just a handful of forays, including the American Short Course Championships earlier this month. There, Hansen clocked a couple of speedy in-season times.

While his competition schedule has been condensed, his out-of-water appointment book has been full. Not only is Hansen taking 17 credit hours at Texas, he's serving as a teaching assistant for a pair of, what else, swim classes. When time permits, clinics and speaking engagements also dot the calendar.

Recently, Hansen appeared on VH1's 100 Most Wanted Bodies, a five-part series that included the four-time All-Delco critiquing a number of celebrities, often in humorous fashion.

"That was a nice thing to do," he said. "I had a good time and I think it showed that the small kid from Havertown has made it. I guess it was another stepping stone."

In terms of Beijing, this week also falls into that category.