Laure Manaudou photo shoot!

She looks strong; she must be swimming!

Phelps, Kobe, Tony Hawk and A-Rod "pimping" the video game 'Guitar Hero!'

Not that I like the commercial or the product, I am just finding it amusing how talented people can be leased no matter what the product or the service is. This is includes Dara Torres promoting a "supplement" for $3.5 million or Phelps promoting everything from fast-food to video games.

Example: Gunthy Renker, the Proactiv distributor, makes 1-billion a year on all their products put together. They do so via celebrity endorsements because people want to believe that celebrities and athletes really wear, use, or ingest whatever product it is that that they paid to say is responsible for their talents, good looks or abilities! [Link]

Europe is not immune either. See Laure Manaudou below promoting European company EDF:

"Eurosport" rumor denied! - Laure Manadou will not return to her former swim coach, Philippe Lucas!

Here is a Babelfish translation of the French text from JDD.fr: "...Then, Philippe Lucas, intervening on Internet site of the Point, contradicted any interview with Laure Manaudou and stated that it will not involve the Olympic champion left estrangement Beijing 2008: “They are conneries”, declared the technician laid off in US Melun, before putting completely fine at these rumours: “I will not take again Laure. It is not topicality. It is clear!”. ..." [Link]

I like Babelfish, the translations are so sketchy it is almost stream of consciousness!

If she needs a coach, and she was willing to work hard and enjoy complete anonymity, she should consider swimming at the University of Southern California in my hometown of Los Angeles!

Manaudou sings her swan song!

The phrase "swan song" is a reference to a false belief that a particular species of swan, Cygnus olor, is mute it's entire life till the time of it's death whereas it blurts a final, beautiful "swan song."

In my opinion Laure Manaudou has summarily given up and is singing her swan song and it sounds just like Ian Thorpe's did in 2005.

From ABC in Australia: "..."I don't know exactly what I am going to do (after the Olympics) but I am going to take a long break and think about something else," said Manaudou, who has endured a torrid year both in and out of the pool."For how long, I don't know. It could be one month, six months, a year. But I am definitely going to think about something else and spend more time with my family and friends, especially Esther (Baron, a swimmer who didn't qualify for the Games), who is not here.

She added: "I really want to see all those who are close to me and weren't able to be here with me."

Manaudou, who admitted she gave up in the 400m freestyle final, has seen her private life become a staple of French gossip columns. ..." [Link]

From the San Diego Union Tribune: The French compare her to Marie Jose Perec, the track star who won two golds at the 1996 Olympics and then crumbled under the pressure to repeat in 2000. She arrived in Sydney, freaked out and got on the first plane home. “Mademoiselle La Chicken,” one Australian paper called her.

At least Manaudou stayed in Beijing to accept her fate, but she questioned that wisdom in the aftermath of the 100 backstroke last night.

“I wonder whether it's worth the effort to continue,” said Manaudou, who has the 200 backstroke left. “I do not even want to swim any more. I don't know . . . It's just difficult to keep finishing seventh or eighth. We'll see.”

In the meantime, she is enjoying her relative anonymity in Beijing, where few people outside the pool recognize her or know her story, where Internet pornography is blocked by Chinese authorities.

“It's great,” Manaudou said, “to be invisible.” [Link]

More nude photos of Manaudou leaked - The timing is obviously to strategically hurt her!

"... now her ex-boyfriend has been accused of posting naked photos and a video of her on the Internet. [Duh!]

The former champion cannot find solace in the water or on land. After two disappointing defeats in two days, Manaudou says, "I'm asking myself if it's worth continuing. I don't even have the desire to swim anymore."

It is difficult enough to rebound after finishing last. The scandalous photo incident is a further additional burden and demotivating factor for the young Olympian during this important period in her swimming career. ..." [Link]

The guy who leaked these photos should be jailed.

Tearful Manaudou ponders future BBC Sport
Pellegrini sets world record in 400IM Los Angeles Times
Manaudou considering quitting International Herald Tribune

Laure Manaudou wearing a 'TYR' suit that looks nothing like the 'TYR Tracer Light' that you can pre-order at the TYR website!

In the picture to the right, Laure Manaudou is wearing a TYR that looks a lot like the Speedo LZR yet this is not the TYR Tracer Light we see at the TYR website that you can pre-order. Apparently this is a prototype TYR completely off the radar much like the revised Arena R-Evolution Mark II that Flippo Magnini wore at the European Championships. Obviously both suits are an improvised rebuttal to the Speedo LZR. Laure Manaudou wore this TYR in her 3rd place finish this past weekend in the 400m. Her quote soon thereafter is she wants the new Arena suit.

In this article at SMH.au.com: "...

DUNKIRK, France, - Swimming diva Laure Manaudou's Olympic campaign has hit choppy waters with the world record holder ruled out of the 200m freestyle in Beijing.

Manaudou, who lost her first 400 metres freestyle race in four years on Monday, did not wear the Arena suit of her sponsor on Tuesday, but the latest suit from rival swimwear company, TYR.

Co-founder of TYR, Steve Furniss an Olympic medalist from 1972, told the New York Times that "We're kind of flattered [about Manaudou's decision] since it's such a big and important event."..."

The article also covers the numerous distractions she has had these past 12 months as well suggesting that the suit may not be the problem. [Link]

Laure Manaudou interview subtitled in English on why she competed at Eindhoven this weekend

There is a new Sheriff in town and her name is Kate Ziegler?

Laure Manaudou and Kate Ziegler have become the new Ian Thorpe and Michael Phelps rivalry. Like Ian Thorpe, who was appearing to be on the ropes a year before he retired, Laure Manaudou is looking a bit beat up as well. Despite that Kate Ziegler owns both the 800m and the 1500m world records, Manaudou still gets top billing in that rivalry and apparently Kate Ziegler does not want to wait till Beijing to change that.

Kate Ziegler is now in Europe, (if the website Swim News is accurate), to challenge Manaudou's SCM records at the "... Essen International next week with her sights set on the global standards achieved by her French rival. ..." If she does that, then there is a new sheriff in town and her name is Kate Ziegler. [Link]

Above is a YouTube of Kate Ziegler racing Laure Manaudou at Worlds.

I don't know why I didn't figure this out before.

I guess it was to obvious. If you go to flickr.com/search, type in your favorite swimmers, you will see photos taken of these individuals from different perspectives. Here is are link to just a few swimmers:

Kate Ziegler
Laure Manaudou
Michael Phelps
Ian Crocker
Filippo Magnini
Natalie Coughlin - Check out her start dives

The above photo is of our patron saint, Natalie Coughlin, who isn't afraid to race in a bikini! (Loving that floral print.) This photo uploaded to Flickr by guyomedw who as an amazing set worth looking at.

Hey, Craig Lord, of Swim News! You're in the dog house!

Craig Lord is a writer over at Swim News and he has an article over there called Manaudou off to Mexico but he only spends two sentences on that particular topic. (Hey, Laure, Denver, Colorado is better. Go ask Kate Ziegler.)

The majority of the article is about an 18 day vacation she will take on 'fancy-schmancy' yacht with her new Italian coach and friends where 'dubious' and 'mysterious' things could happen... You know, such as...doping? (Dramatic look here: [Link] )

However, in his own words, he claims he isn't insinuating anything untoward but suggests FINA, WADA, France, and her boyfriend would just like to know where she is 24/7 in case they would like to surprise her with a drug test. You, know, all for "peace of mind" of course.

Here is a snippet:

"... Second, if Manaudou is out at sea for 18 days on a yacht, how will she record her movements on the anti-doping control form? How, precisely, would testers be able to spring a surprise? Before this is misunderstood, I am not suggesting anything untoward, simply that the issue of where a swimmer is at any particular moment surely becomes a far more complex affair when the athlete is not at a set point on dry land. ..." [Link]

He suggests that FINA anti-doping ninjas; (Who I actually admire), have access to charts, mooring locations, perhaps ship manifests etc. He does not include that Manaudou did very well at French Nationals, that she will definitely test clean and misses that if a swimmer is going to dope, they would dope before a race, not after.

So, Craig, you are in the dog house! Bad dog, bad dog!

If you have no kick and no hope of ever getting one then this is how you want to swim

The rotation of her turnover is amazingly symmetrical and maintains momentum so well. If you look at Ziegler or Manaudou you will see a similar stroke.

Laure Manaudou swims a 4:03.13 for the 400m Free

WOW! A mere second-and-a-half off her world record. Kate Ziegler's best is a 4:05.75 which she swam last summer at Nationals.

So, Italy has been good to Laure Manaudou. [Link]

(During Kate Ziegler's world record 1500m race at the TYR Swim Meet of Champions, Ziegler held 31s during her 1500m swim. Can she hold 30.5s if she swims the 400 against Manaudou?)

Manaudou reveals her swim program for French Nationals

That's not Laure Manaudou to the right but rather Jack Klugman in a pork pie hat! More on that later but now, regarding Manaudou's swim program for French Nationals:

"...The swimmer confirmed that she will race 200, 400, 800 and 1,500m free, 50 and 100m back, 200m medley and 200m butterfly at the French nationals at Saint-Raphaël from Sunday to Thursday next week. The 200m backstroke clashes with the 400m freestyle and will therefore not be part of Manaudou's marathon, one which includes the fascinating chemistry of relays for her French club Canet...."

On Kate Ziegler's 1500m WR:

"...One time she knew she would not do right now was Kate Ziegler's new world record of 15:42.54 over 1,500m. But the time would "encourage me to work harder"...."

I suspect Manaudou will have nothing to do with 1500m free till after Beijing. She may swim it but her comment to me seems like a capitulation at least for this year. [Link]

Tangent sidenote: There is this Twilight Zone episode called "A Game of Pool" where actor Jack Klugman portrays a pool shark who wishes he could prove he was the greatest pool player of them all if only he could play the late, Fats Brown, who is played by Jonathan Winters.

Suddenly, out of nowhere, he gets that chance and the ensuing 20 minutes is more about philosophy than it is about playing pool. Winters is the philosopher here as he chides his challenger to go outside more, care about real things, don't take the game so seriously.

I feel that Janet Evans has become that character. Though she adores swimming, has something to do with WADA and philanthropic swim programs, I suspect she feels somewhat emancipated now that her 18-year reign over the 1500m free has ended.

When in doubt, post a story about Laure Manaudou

UPDATE: Manaudou: I Can Win The Italian Way

From Swim news:

"In Italy I will show that I can win another way, by training another way. I'm used to pressure: over the year, I've become the only winning Frenchwoman." We assume she means in a pool, and we assume she's forgotten the European crowns won by the likes of her former teammate with Lucas, Esther Baron, and Alena Popchanka, coached by Fred Vergnoux in Edinburgh.

...

"Luca Marin will be there," he told the Italian and French press, adding that he would call French technical director Claude Fauquet today to talk about Manaudou's form. Her new coach Paolo Penso was reported as being "90 per cent" sure that she would also race at the French nationals.

Well, that's nice. Perhaps France would like to make that 100 per cent, if only to draw in the crowds." [Link]

-- • --

Laure Manaudou has significantly changed her training after spliting from her former coach. Though the type of workouts are not mentioned she alludes primarily to emotional and diet changes. In an interview with an Italian newspaper, the Gazzetta dello Sport, Manaudou stated the following:

• While maturing, I learned more things and I opened the eyes, even if I do not disavow the past", said the world champion.

• "I had to be only a machine, whereas I have also a heart and a head. I often cried and I was not able to eat correctly", said Manaudou about her trainings in Canet-in-Roussillon (southern of France): [Link]
  

I think coaches have to be quasi-psychologists or diplomats I suppose to ensure both the athlete and the coach have a mutual understanding of what needs to be accomplished. Manaudou in this interview is summarily accusing this coach of abuse. Maybe it is a misunderstanding, maybe it is not. Results with tell.

"Mare Nostrum" is not a shopping mall but a swim meet tour in France

Laure Manaudou swam for a team called Canet when she was training in France. Her coach, Philippe Lucas, is credited for coaching her to the "Janet Evans" level and took pride in her accomplishments. Manaudou even lived with both he and his wife. Manaudou recently split with her coach and team and has now moved to Italy to train and to be near her boyfriend, Luca Marin.

Both Lucas and her Canet team were seemingly humiliated and subsequently had harsh words for both Manaudou and her new Italian coach, Paolo Penso, which Manaudou and the Italians took the high ground and replied back politely.

Now, a swim meet tour in France called the Mare Nostrum is about to take place at the Canet pool in which Manaudou was scheduled to race. Manaudou won't or can't race due to a fractured foot. It appears that she fractured the foot after being thrown into the water by her adopted teammates. But Canet is demanding that she come anyway and watch.

This is how acrimonious it has become:

• "Good for them. "If she's injured, she can't race, obviously, said the man at the helm of Canet, Jean-Marie Portes, in reference to news that Manaudou will not now race at the meet organised annually by her former home club in southern France after injuring a foot during celebrations for her new club in Turin in the wake of Italy's club championships in Rome last weekend."

• "But we demand her presence in the name of the moral contract she has signed up to. It's a simple matter of honouring her word. Her presence here will suffice," said Portes. [Link]

As nationalistic as America is accused to be, you would never see this sort of drama in America.

Laure Manaudou's two beat kick in Athens 2004

Manaudou versus France and Italy

An European eccentricity I don't understand: The Laure Manaudou controversy.

Laure Manaudou falls deeply in love with an Italian swimmer name Luca Marin. She decides to leave her French coach who states that she left because she is lazy and feels that he is working her to hard. Well, Is it love or coaching? Who cares, she jets off to Italia to train and be with her lover.

The coach feeling jilted flames her new Italian coach and his training methods by insinuating how "fearful" he is that they will turn her into a "Frankenstein-like pharmaceutical experiment." The Italians look the other way and take the political high ground.

The Italian Swim Federation is worried that the French Federation will feel a French Olympian training in Italy is unacceptable and could lead to bad blood. They say, we won't train her unless the French agree or she changes her nationality! [Link]

Blam! Drama! Drama! Drama! Some negotiation , some wine, maybe a little French cheese and all is good. Laure will swim under the French flag and race for her [former] French club Canet-en-Roussillon! [Link] [More]

In America, American swimmers can train wherever they want. The "patron saint" of this blog, Natalie Coughlin, who we often make fun of but appreciate greatly trains in Australia from time-to-time. Ian Thorpe trained in America briefly. German Olympian, Erik Hochstein, trained at USC. We currently have Chinese swimmers, Turkish, South African, British, Brazilian swimmers training in the United States and USA swimming has no problem with an American swimmer interchanging ideas with coaches from other countries.

The exchanging of information and knowledge for benevolent purposes should have no border, boundary or law preventing it. The French and Italians should realize this and embrace it.

Philippe Lucas, Laure Manaudou's former coach, insults Italy, Manaudou, and a Dutch football team in one breath

Philippe Lucas coached Manaudou and made her the champion that she is. He deserves that credit utterly and completely. However, his histrionic rants regarding Laure Manaudou's integrity and the ethical nature of Italian doctors borders upon the irrational. Snippet from Swim News:

• In comments that will go down like a lead balloon in Turin, Lucas, asked by L'Equipe if he was worried for his former charge, he said: "Frankly? It drives me mad. I'm worried for one sole reason: ethics. Laure has always been a self-conscious girl. And there (in Turin), at the medical level, there's an air of danger when ... you see the doctors who will be watching over her (the French newspaper then places in parenthesis the words 'the old medicine of the football club Juventus'). The structure is unclear. We can't tell where this will lead her. She doesn't even know herself who will coach her. That's alarming!" [Link]

Manaudou's comments were more measured reassuring the public she wasweight training and swimming and that all was good.

My money is still on Kate Ziegler due to all of this drama surrounding her.

Kates Ziegler breaks water

Kate Ziegler will be both the new Laure Manadou and Grant Hackett in Beijing. I think she is unbeatable in the 1500, and the 400. I don't know what her third event is; the 800?

I found out today after asking a coach who knew Janet Evans as to how much yardage she put in. He replied 10k a workout. Then he clarified that she did doubles. That's right, 20k a day. Laure was asked to do 15 to 17 a day and she felt that was to much. (I do too.)

Meet the new Laure Manaudou, the one in the middle standing next to the old Laure Manaudou

Her name is Kate Ziegler and she is the new Laure Manaudou. Laure Manaudou will zero out her aerobic ability to that of an average mortal in three months time if she doesn't keep swimming. I suspect it would take weeks for her move her stuff, get the coach she wants, a pool she likes, and a routine that is as productive as it needs to be to perform at that level.

If she didn't move for love, then she should have come to Los Angeles and trained with me... err, or Dave Salo at USC. No one would have cared who she was and the focus could have been more centered.

For now the new number one women's distance swimmer is Kate Ziegler. Here is her bio from US Swimming: [Link]