Santa Clara International Invitational this weekend

Ben-Wildman featured above will be there! Isn't that a fitting name for a world class sprinter?

Swimming World has a page devoted to it setting up story-lines and drama to make it more fun. This snippet struck me as the most dramatic of the races for I think any race that has Phelps, Wildman, Schoeman and Eamon Sullivan in it is potential history:

"... The men's 100 freestyle might feature the most-loaded field of the meet, as it includes the likes of Roland Schoeman, Phelps and Eamon Sullivan. Schoeman is well-established as one of the world's elite sprinters while Phelps had the fastest 100 free time at the World Champs, as the leadoff leg of the American 400 freestyle relay. Then there's Sullivan, a rising star from Australia who will be a sprint-free medal contender in Beijing.

The two-lap freestyle is also expected to include South Africa's Ryk Neethling and Lyndon Ferns, who joined Schoeman on the gold-medal winning 400 free relay in Athens. The fourth member of that squad, Darian Townsend, will also be in action. Other big-time names in the race will be Great Britain's Simon Burnett and American Ben Wildman-Tobriner, the reigning world champ in the 50 free. ..." [Link]

Another loaded race on my radar is Leisel Jones, Megan Jendrick and Tara Kirk swimming the 100 breast. Three of the fastest swimmers in this event will go toe-to-toe with Jones as the favorite. (So, where's Amanda?)

This blog endorses Phelps, Hoff, and Megan Jendrick

If you donate time or money to Special Olympics then you are so officially endorsed by this blog. Michael Phelps, Katie Hoff and Megan Jendrick in China to promote Special Olympics:

• Earlier Thursday, Phelps and Hoff took part in a fashion show for garments being sold to benefit the Special Olympics, which Shanghai is hosting this October.
• Asked about similarities between the regular Olympics and the games for the intellectually disabled, Phelps said they were closer than some would think.
• "I think the Special Olympics and the Olympics are actually pretty similar. We all have dreams and we all have goals. And you have to work hard to accomplish your dreams and goals," he said. [Link]