Coughlin can still earn medal with team

Published Jul. 28, 2012 7:28 p.m. ET

foxsports

Natalie Coughlin will not be swimming for the U.S. in the final of the 4x100-meter freestyle relay.

Coughlin still has a chance to win her 12th career medal since she competed in the morning preliminaries. But the U.S. coaches decided not to go with her in the final, keeping Lia Neal and Allison Schmitt from the morning quartet. Amanda Weir also was dropped.

Jessica Hardy and Missy Franklin are also taking part in the relay final after getting the morning off to rest up. They earned their spots by finishing 1-2 in the 100 free at the U.S. Olympic trials.

If the Americans can take a medal, Coughlin will equal Dara Torres and Jenny Thompson as the most decorated U.S. female Olympians.