One has to ask how culpable USADA/USA Swimming are for this Olympic team mess-up!

I spoke with someone close to this situation by email this morning and they filled me into the missed details by the two organizations that are suppose to serve the athletes.

On July 21st the IOC required an Olympic team roster from USA Swimming. Yesterday, three days past that deadline it was leaked that Jessica Hardy had tested positive for a banned substance. (Newsweek reported that it may have been a stimulant which could be as simple as an antihistamine or something more insidious as meth.)

The United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) performed the test and obviously notified USA Swimming before the July 21st deadline. One would think that either USA Swimming would have pushed USADA to deliver results well before they had to declare a de facto team or that USA Swimming would have scheduled Olympic Trials earlier enough to ensure that all their athletes rights would be respected.

In project management textbooks they talk of deliverables and milestones that should signed off and closely managed. I didn't see that here.

From USA Swimming's perceived "secret deals" with the Wasserman Media Group (WMG), the accusations from TYR that USA Swimming is engaging in anti-trust tactics with Speedo, and the bullying of Floswimming. One has to wonder who is running the shop there!

Katie Hoff's 400 IM world record detroyed by Stephanie Rice by a full body length

I love the verbal reaction from the 17-year-old when she sees the clock: "F*CK!"

The Australian women's team is collectively a "Michael Phelps superpower;" and most of them are all teens too. An emotional interview follows.

Here is a link to a higher-rez version: [Link]

15-year-old Emily Seebohm set this world record yesterday in the 50 backstroke, however 24 hours later Sophie Edington has set a new one!

This race is full of girls 15 and 16-years of age. More proof that Australia's swimming program is producing vast amounts of talent. An interview takes place after the swim.

Here is a link to a higher-rez version at You Tube: [Link]

2008 Australian Olympic Trials - Men's 400 LCM Freestyle

Lot's of underwater viewing time of Grant Hackett's stroke. Note how his hands never pull near his center line but rather catch directly in front of his shoulders and he pulls water from there. He looks good!

For better viewing clarity, goto "You Tube" and type &fmt=18 after the URL and then reload. Or, you can click this link where I have all ready included the extension: [Link]

Leisel Jones introduces the Australia's Channel 9's coverage of the 2008 Australian Swimming Olympic Trials

Loving the the motion graphics, the homage to Ian Thorpe and that hard vowel accent of hers: "Austr-A-lian Olym-peak tr-III-als." Just loving it.