Will Laure Manaudou's former coach Philippe Lucas coach Federica Pellegrini?

The first video is Laure Manaudou in Athens 2004. Isn't her two beat kick so very symmetrical and her bend-at-the-elbow catch so thoroughly boss?

The second video is Federica Pellegrini at 2009 World Championships in Italy. Note the stall in her kick when she breathes. Note how long her reach is?

Dana Volmer is next to her and she kicks throughout the race. Could these two girls be faster if they had a six beat kick or is this laconic use of their kick keeping them more oxygenated for the back half?

Technique-wise I have to give it Manadou but technique dies not matter when you hold the WR!

French coach, Phillipe Lucas, the coach who helped Laure Manaudou reach her full potential has reportedly been approached by "masterless samurai," Federica Pellegrini, to make her even greater.

This is large!

From Le' Equipe with a Google translation:

"...And among the contenders: Philippe Lucas . La Gazzetta dello Sport revealed that the coach of Amaury Leveaux and Benjamin Stasilius would swell the ranks of potential coaches of former rival Laure Manaudou. (To be read in Team Friday) ..."

[Link]

In a undisclosed location; (Auburn University with Brett Hawke), Laure Manaudou is in training with Batman. Let's see who wins, shall we?

I am going to be reviewing 'blueseventy warmups' next week - Here are my first impressions!

I received two pairs, a womens pair and and mens pair. I gave the womens pair to Diane to "beta test" and she went on long walk in 42-degree weather just before a storm was about to roll in. She called me later and said, "I am not giving you these back, thanks for the Christmas present!" So it looks like I am buying them.

When I put on the hoodie, I was stoked, no wind sneaking in yet it felt breathable. I wore the sweats for only a short time and I am thoroughly impress as to how light they feel and how warm you stay. It was then that I realized what blueseventy is really best at and it is so obvious too yet you never see it in their branding message: Their stuff keeps you warm and comfortable.

Even when they made real techsuits instead of jammers, the suits kept you warm in between swims. I remember Joel telling me that when I was freezing at UCLA Masters meet wearing a textile techsuit while he looked composed. (That is a photo of Joel at the top of this post. Note the timers wearing sweaters and vests.)

When I finally got a blueseventy nero comp, I remember feeling warm and relaxed during a breezy meet in Long Beach between heats. Function is senior to form when it comes to comfort and blueseventy is good at both so far.

'New York Times' Blog 'Freakonomics' intrigue by the dark arts of setting up a Masters 400 IM relay!

Dan Hamermesh, a professor of economics at the University of Texas in Austin submits a post in the Freaknomics Blog at the New York Times regarding masters swimming. He seems befuddled or amazed how masters swimmers can game a 400 IM relay with age group mixes and individual times based on age.

I can't quote very much of the post since I would reveal the heart of the article which could be a copyright problem; (I am not sure). Instead, here is one sentence where he notes some complexity:

"... The programming problem becomes even more complex because each swimmer’s time slows at a different rate in different events. ..."

[Link]

Above are SCAQ members Dan and Chris who swim in two different age groups but swim numerous IM relays together.

One "Polar Bear" to rule them all - Rob Dumochel of Rob Aquatics!

Blogger, Rob Dumouchel, of RobAquatics.com swims and completes an Avila Beach, Pier-to-Pier, swim at Pismo Beach without a wetsuit in middle 50-degree water.

This was an epic test of endurance and ability. Hypothermia charts predict exhaustion or unconsciousness can take only one-to-two hours, expected time of survival is 1-6 hours. Rob completed the marathon swim in about 4-hours.

Could this become a premier "polar bear event?"

More 'Polar Bear Swim' photos starting to roll in!

Long Lake near Lacy, Washington: Air temp 30, water temp 35-degrees. Well, at least the water was warmer than the air but in my opinion those temps sounds more like lousy ice skating weather than a suitable swim.

[Link]


Polar Bears Toronto at a place called Ashbridge's Bay. If a Polar Bear Swim takes place in Canada on the first of January, you know the temperature is obscene. Several photos and a slide show too.

[Link]

Atlantic City Polar Bear frolicking in 50-degree air and water hovering around a toasty 37-degrees.

[Link]

Polar Bear Swims 2011 - mixing madness with the bliss to bring in the new year.

Welcome to Harding Bay, Nova Scotia: "200-jumpers" took the leap but look at the faces on the gentleman above. They seemingly appear to suddenly realize what they are about to commit to.

[Link]

Luckily there was any not ice to break through at Charlottetown harbor, located somewhere in the UK where it snows. (Wait, it now snows everywhere there.) At the Charlottetown event. 100-people sprinted into the drink and some went in for a second dunk. My personal DNA prevents me from such frivolity and I draw the line at 65-degrees ABOVE zero without a wetsuit.

[Link]

20-minutes north of me, at Hansen Dam, a small group of people braved 68-degree air temps and decided to take a dip into some 45-degree chlorinated water. OH! the humanity!

[Link]

More tomorrow qwhen the photos come in.Welcome to Coney, Island, New York - Lovin' that that FINA approved tech suit! - This quote says it all: "..."I don't know of any definitive medical studies that have been done to measure the health benefits of cold-water swimming," Dr. Alan Steinman, one of the country's foremost experts on hypothermia and cold-water survival told MSNBC.com. "

He finishes up saying that for some a quick plunge into ridiculously cold water can KILL YOU and that you should enter the water slowly and gracefully. For me that means I put my feet into the water in early June and then fully submerged by July.

[Link]


More Polar Bear swims tomorrow once more photos are posted.

'Rio 2016' logo revealed and the only thing nice I can say about is that it is nicer than the 'London 2012' logo.

The Rio 2016 Olympic Games logo looks like a hospital or health care logo rather than resonating anything remotely connected to sports or Brazil.

If the London logo gets an "F", this one gets a low "D"

Sean Hutchison resigns Fullerton Aquatic Sports Team (FAST) - Bill Jewel: "I didn't ask him to leave. I asked him to solve this problem. . . . "

Wow! A relationship with a swimmer? Bill Jewel confronted Hutchison about it and he apparently resigned.

Right now at Colorado Springs - USA Swimming headquarters, I bet the majority of execs there are flipping out right now as you read this - in fact they may have been the last to know.

Sean Hutchinson denies any relationship with a swimmer so we must give him the benefit of the doubt, but Bill Jewel... What does he think?

From Amy Shipley at the Washington Post:

"...Hutchison acknowledged that his decision to leave came shortly after a club official confronted him about rumors that he was having a relationship with one of his female swimmers, but he said the rumors were untrue and did not compel his departure. ..."

[Link]

UPDATE: From USA Today:

"... Jewell insisted Hutchison wasn't fired, though he did acknowledge "rumors surfaced that made me feel really uncomfortable."

"I brought these issues to Sean's attention, and Sean denied these things," Jewell said. "I, in turn, was relieved with his denial. But still, I'm a guy running this club and I've got rumors flying around out there. I've got parents saying, 'Is my child safe in your place?' I have to address these kind of issues." ..."

[Link]

I don't know if it is me but both the Washington Post and USA Today keep alluding to Ariana Kukors and Katie Hoff in a "dog whistle" sort of way.

Unusually cold water off Florida has caused manatees to huddle near a power plant outlet for warmth!

I remember surfing near an electrical plant ocean outlet in Seal Beach one summer and the water was 75-degrees plus. The downside is that the heat generated more bacterial growth in the water than average.

From the BBC via AP:

Manatees cope poorly with cold conditions, which can affect their immune systems and lead to death.

'Cold stress' killed large numbers of the gentle sea creatures in 2010.

The waters of the Tampa Electric plant are "like a warm bathtub for them," Wendy Anastasiou, an environmental specialist who has been watching the mammals loll about there, told the Associated Press agency.

[Link]

Shane Gould: "Apex Freestyle Swimmer" - The greatest the world has ever seen.

"Apex predator" is a term used to describe an animal that is the dominant predator throughout their territory and has no known predator. Killer whales are apex predators within their ocean space. Dogs, when working with humans, become a food chain unparalleled apex predator. The Arctic fox is an apex predator, so is the bald eagle, the osprey and American alligator too.

There is no freestyle swimmer who has ever matched Shane Gould's extraordinary accomplishments. Not Michael Phelps nor Ian Thorpe. After retiring at the age of 16-years-old Shane Gould had held a world record in every single freestyle category of the day. From the 100 to the 1500-LCM, Shane Gould was an apex predator in the pool; ergo, she is the greatest apex freestyle swimmer ever.

Denki Groove's music video for the song, "Fake it! - The video features hundreds of Japanese divers in an endless high diving spectacle!

A diving loop of Japanese divers, one after the other, seemingly hundreds of them in all in a non-stop, high-diving, spectacle. Think lemmings and you get the idea.

But wait, there is more, it's a music video by Denki Groove for a techno beat song called, "Fake it."

This video won the Japan Media Aerts Festival Award for Excellence.

Found originally at: Denki Groove via friandises's YouTube via Hiburo via Ze Frank via Laughing Squid via The Submitterator via Amy Gee

Massive airship hangar converted into massive water park hang out!

The "beast" of a hangar cost $110-million to build, could house a fleet of 747s but instead of over-sized jets, the hangar housed an airship capable of lifting of 60-tons. When the airship crashed in a storm, the company that owned both the hangar and the ravaged airship, CargoLifter, lost the building in bankruptcy to a Malaysian company, Tanjong, for $24-million.

Tanjong converted the hangar into a water-park. The water-park: Tropical Islands Resort, host some 900,000 people a year mainly from northern & eastern Europe, features a 3,000-square-yard pool, an indoor rain forest with 50,000 trees in 600-varieties, a "bajillion" deck chairs, and best of all: a nine story slide that can propel users up to speeds of 44-miles-an-hour. That is a seriously awesome thing to experience I bet.

From Then and Now:

The Bali Lagoon has a grotto and waterfall, as well as the world’s largest indoor rain forest, with 50,000 trees in 600 varieties—from palm to papaya—that thrive in natural light. Its most popular attraction is a nine-story waterslide that propels sliders to 44 mph.

[Link]

London open water sprint cancelled after the lake froze!

The 100-yard lake sprint held in London's Hyde Park was introduced in 1864 - by 1904 the creator of Peter Pan, James Barrie, awarded the winner with a "Peter Pan Cup" which has carried on to the present.

From AP:

He added: "It was disappointing as it's obviously a big event. We have races every Saturday morning but this is the one everybody wants to win."

The winner is awarded the Peter Pan Cup, which was introduced in 1904 by novelist James Barrie, the creator of Peter Pan, the boy who never grew up.

Meanwhile on England's south coast, members of the Brighton Swimming Club took part in their annual Christmas dip in the English Channel, where the temperature was a refreshing 3.3 degrees Celsius.

[Link]

TMZ reports Michael Phelps at the Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa coming out ahead in a poker game!

Three days ago TMZ reports that Michael Phelps was spotted in a high stakes poker game finishing the game by coming out ahead. [Link]

TYR renews their contract with the French Swimming Federation!

France will be a formidable competitor for the US come London 2012. Their freestyle relays on paper look unstoppable.

With this renewed deal it will essentially be TYR & Arena versus Speedo&Lochte. (Let's wait and see if Michael Phelps decides to participate in FINA World Champs next year let alone the Olympics. I have my doubts for I feel who has moved on in his life to newer and fresher pursuits.

s for the "TYR/Arena/Speedo Showdown" Where people see flags at the Olympics, I see both brands and flags. If next years Olympics has no Michael Phelps, I think this will be the first Olympics where Speedo is considered a brand name and not an icon.

Huntington Beach, Calif. – December 9, 2010 – TYR Sport, Inc. is proud to announce a renewed agreement as the official sponsor of the French Swimming Federation (FFN) for swimming, diving, open water swimming, and synchronized swimming, through the year 2012. TYR has held a successful partnership with the FFN since 2002.

One of the top federations in the world, the French dominated the 2010 European Championships this past August and were named European Champions in swimming for the first time in history. Over the course of the competition, the French delegation earned medals in both the pool and the open water, for a total of 23 medals. Eight gold medals were won, which included performances from champions Alain Bernard (100m freestyle), Frédérick Bousquet (50m freestyle and 50m butterfly), Camille Lacourt (100m backstroke and 50m backstroke), and Yannick Agnel (400m freestyle).

Three French swimmers currently hold the fastest recorded times in 2010 in their respective events: Bousquet (50m freestyle), Lacourt (100m backstroke and 50m backstroke), and Sebastien Rouault (800m freestyle). The world’s top ranking for 2010 in the 4×100m medley relay also belongs the French team consisting of Lacourt, Bousquet, Hugues Duboscq, and Fabien Gilot.

“I am thrilled to have TYR continue its alliance with our national team,” said Francis Luyce, president of the FFN and former world record holder. “In our time together, the FFN has developed and transformed into one of the best contingents in the world. TYR has always been recognized in Europe for its expertise in technology and we’re looking forward to their support for many years to come.”

TYR has a storied past with the FFN. In December 2008, at the European SC Championships in Croatia, Amaury Leveaux set the world record in the 100m freestyle. Leveaux’s time of 44.94, while wearing TYR Tracer™ Technology, still stands today.

“This renewal, along with TYR’s substantial growth and advanced technology development, will allow us to continue our progression in Europe through the support of swimming federations and their athletes,” stated Franck Horter, TYR’s European General Manager. “I am excited to work with the federation as we focus on the London Games.”

The French Federation boasts a nationwide team registration of more than 295,000 participants with more than 1,300 affiliated clubs. TYR will receive exclusive rights to develop an authentic FFN Collection available through the federation’s online store.

In addition to the FFN, TYR expanded its European commitment earlier this year by signing a sponsorship agreement with the German Swimming Federation (DSV) and also continues its partnership with the Danish Swimming Federation. 
Other key relationships include sponsorship of U.S.A Triathlon and the Italian Triathlon Federation, as well as partnerships with Ironman® and U.S. Masters Swimming.

USA Swimming sex abuse debacle wins ABC News an Award: ABC News 20/20 Wins duPont Award for 'The Coach's Secret'

The media, the press, and finally us "peons"; (pee-ons?), the news bloggers are suppose to be a "quality control" mechanism for the public. Most of the above news media sources; (except for me), profit by uncovering screw-ups, malfeasance, and corruption.

With that preface in mind, the best press or media is a non-profit media. Once a media outlet accepts advertising and any other monetary compensation, then, in my humble opinion, that media becomes biased! NBC News would have never run this story since they profit from the Olympic Games and swimming is a big part of that profit. ABC was able to do this story since they had no direct or indirect monetary ties to the IOC.

I congratulate Megan and the other contributors who received the duPont award, it was so well deserved and it created a tsunami-like shift within USA Swimming and how children are protected. I would like to say that USA Swimming has all the right policies in place now and all is perfect; (it is not), but I can say that the parents are closely "watching the watchmen" and for that I sincerely thank you for making the sport better.

Congratulations Megan - it was nice speaking with you! :-)

From ABC News:

An ABC News 20/20 investigation that uncovered a sex abuse scandal involving dozens of male swim coaches of teen female swimmers today received one of journalism's most prestigious awards -- the duPont Silver Baton from Columbia University. The report by ABC News Chief Investigative Correspondent Brian Ross and producers Megan Chuchmach and Avni Patel found some 36 coaches for USA Swimming, the sport's national governing body, had been quietly banned from the sport for sexual abuse of young female team members.

[Link]

Follow Megan on Twitter: [Link]

Spotted on You Tube: 'USA Swimming presents - Swim Fast Butterfly with Michael Phelps and Bob Bowman'

Segment One:



Segment Two:



Segment Three:

USA Swimming event: EVENT MANAGEMENT & MARKETING SYMPOSIUM SET FOR JANUARY 26-27, 2011

Swim meets and international competitions are hard to put on. Think about it: each race is an historical artifact and consider the what it takes to get the timing right, the officiating, the scheduling of the talent, the contracts, the venue, the posting of the results in real time and all of the other details to make a successful meet?

Why not learn from the best?

What USA Swimming does better than 99% of for profit entertainment organizations around; (this includes music festivals and even special events like the Oscars and Emmy Awards), is event planning!

When I saw this, I really wanted to go but I am located on the wrong side of the country; but if you can go, think what you can learn.

From the USA Swimming website:

The USA Swimming Event Management and Marketing Symposium will take place January 26-27 in Sarasota, Fla. The two-day symposium is designed for meet hosts, club business managers, and anyone with an interest in improving their events.

The symposium features a particular focus on event operations, risk management, sponsor relations, facility improvements, marketing and promotions, and financial opportunities. This symposium provides an excellent opportunity to meet and network with other event directors and staffs from around the country.

For more on the symposium, click here.

The photo above was taken by me at my most favorite swim meet, the TYR Swim Meet of Champions. An event that is put on quite well. I will be there next year.

Deborah Hambly can swim butterfly farther and longer than you can - She "beasted" 3.3-kilometers worth in an open water race!

So, I am sitting down with world famous photographer Mark Savage and I am telling him that for me to get back into the pool racing again without a tech-suit, "I gotta swim some off events." I would still swim the 50-free since I can still swim on top of my tech-suit time but the 100-free, 200-free and 100 IM are sidelined.

So, I would do something crazy again like swim a 200-fly LCM and the 400IM LCM. Events that are so ridiculously punishing that even if you make it out of the water without a DQ it's like you finished the Ironman and nobody cares how how you placed.

So, taking this insanity a bit more further, New Zealand swimmer Deborah Hambly transcended all my goals, she swam 3.3 kilometer, open water swim, butterfly.

From the Northern Advocate in New Zealand:

"... She has done it again - Dargaville swimmer Deborah Hambly, 38, has swum herself into another record by butterflying the Russell to Paihia ocean race - the first swimmer to do so.

Last month Ms Hambly was the first swimmer to complete Auckland's 2.8km Harbour Crossing Race using the butterfly stroke.

It is not favoured by distance or ocean swimmers because it is an intense and energy-burning stroke. Last Saturday's 3.3km swim, in what Ms Hambly describes as very choppy conditions, took her one hour 21 minutes. ..."

[Link]

If you know someone with fibromyalgia, encourage them to swim: New study suggest swimming as potential treatment.

The study below was a collaborative effort between fibromyalgia researchers in both Spain and Portugal. The results were extracted form the journal, Arthritis Research & Therapy.

Essentially, they put these people into a Masters Swimming program from the sound of it... From the Environmental Illness Report:

"... Narcís Gusi and Pablo Tomas-Carus, both experts in sports science, conducted a randomized controlled trial which involved a thirty-three women with fibromyalgia. Their aim was to find an alternative aporoach to the treatment of the disabling condition based on their knowledge of sports science. patients to find an alternative approach.

The participants were split into two groups with seventeen then taking part in a swimming pool exercise program with the remaining sixteen living as they normally would.

The supervised training exercises took place in a heated swimming pool and each session lasted for an hour. During each session the women stood in waist-high water while an instructor guided them through a warm-up, strength exercises, aerobics, and a cool-down period. The participants attended the pool for these exercise sessions three times per week over a period of 8 months. ..."

[Link]

So, if you know any fibromyalgia suffers, hook them up with swim coach.

USA Today: "Lochte looking like an 8-medal threat for London"

Ryan Lochte had an impressive SCM World Championship. I was very surprised that he was able to capture 6-gold medals in all. Even USA Today is pronouncing that Lochte is an "...8-medal threat for London" come 2012, which after such an amazing SCM World Championship, is not hyperbole nor exaggeration, but... BUT.... Yeah, BUT! Some forget that the eighth gold medal that Phelps won in Beijing was hand delivered to him by Jason Lezak and the rest of the great swims put forth in the 4x100 relay. He is going to need fellow world record holders in all the relays he swims to match or beat Phelps gold medal haul.

"If he brings his A-game to the Olympics I don't have a chance," said Austrian rival Markus Rogan, who handed Lochte a couple losses at a recent short-course meet.

Rogan, Hungary's Laszlo Cseh and Clary are shaping up as the top challengers to Lochte in the medley events, where Phelps' status is in question.

"He has nothing to prove, that's the problem," said Rogan, who is not even sure Lochte's performance in Dubai will motivate Phelps. "He needs a little bit of a bigger jolt." (Adrian) that are eager to get into that category."

"I'm going to get right back in the pool," he said. "I'll take two or three days off for Christmas, but other than that it's right into training and then get ready for Shanghai."

[Link]

I have no doubts that Lochte can achieve the same individual medal count as Phelps; (Read as sole-individual medal count as Phelps not including the relay medal count), but we are weak and losing ground in several disciplines as of late, namely: Breaststroke and backstroke. This will create significant adversity for our relays.

We need more breastrokers: "Paging, Ed Mosses, white courtesy telephone please!"

Aaron Peirsol has been to three Olympics and with medals earned in each of them he is definitely paced in the express line for the Swimming Hall of Fame but he is not immortal.

Matt Greevers is his current "American heir apparent" but in 2010 Greevers remained third-best in the world whereas, Camile LaCourt, and, Liam Tancock, owned the number one and two position respectively. In the 200-back it's all Ryan Lochte, Tyler Clary, and Rryosuke Irie. Consequently, we need to amped up Greevers in the sprints and find more backstrokers.

Did Michael Phelps demand 12,000 calories a day due to "thermal dieting?"

Your body generates a temperature on average of 98.6 degrees, duh!, but what if you challenge it with cooler temperatures? Would cooler temps force your body to burn more calories to heat itself?

A NASA scientist thinks so and believes that Michael Phelps was forced to consume roughly 12,000 a day just to maintain his weight due to the thermal challenges he faced while swimming hours-upon-hours a day..

From RedOrbit:

"The body wants to maintain a balance, a homeostasis of 98.6 degrees," author Tim Ferriss, the man who penned the best-selling book 'The 4-Hour Body,' told ABC's Sarah Netter during a December 15 interview. "If you make it cold, the body will do everything it can to get back to 98.6. And it has to burn calories to do that--heat equals calories."

The technique is known as 'thermal dieting' and according to Ferriss, people can burn up to 50 more calories simply by forcing their bodies to endure sub-freezing temperatures. Doing so forces a person's system to work harder and burn a type of fat known as brown adipose tissue (BAT) to produce heat.

[Link]

Ryan Lochte's father and sister have been removed from their coaching positions at Daytona State College!

Ryan Lochte's father, Steve Lochte, was the head coach of Daytona State College swim team. His sister, Kristin Lochte, was the assistant coach. On December 2nd, that all changed. Both have been removed from their coaching positions at DSC and have been "reassigned" due to administrative concerns regarding positive drug tests, low student swimmer grades, the fact that Coach Lochte was arrested for a DUI last July and in the words of the Daytona News Journal: "...Offensive and racially charged posters lining the walls at the pool at an intramural competition in October..."

Since a lawyer is doing some of the talking in the article, I suspect Coach Lochte is going to fight this reassignment. From the Daytona News Journal:

Steve Lochte, who said he made a mistake and is in counseling, said the college removing him as coach is "very unfortunate and unfortunate for the swimmers who have traveled from around the world to swim for me." He continues coaching for his Daytona Beach Speed Swimming club where he is the executive director.

"I'm not going to fold up and die," Lochte said.

[Link]

If the allegations in the article are true, I am so unimpressed. I have said it many times, what is it with swimmers and alcohol?

USC is doing something amazingly right: Soni, Mellouli, Lefert All Medal At SCM Worlds in Dubai!

From USC Trojans:

"... Former USC greats Rebecca Soni and Ous Mellouli won gold and silver medals, respectively, while Trojan sophomore Clement Lefert earned a relay bronze on the second day of the 2010 FINA Short Course World Championships on Thursday (Dec. 16) in Dubai, UAE. ..."

[Link]

Above is a file photo of a Rebecca Soni lift off shot in 2009 by Mark Savage.

China makes a doping statement - NO TOLERANCE even if WADA insists on cutting a doping sentence short!

Cultures are funny: For some, the concept of shame is a viable and even a morally respectable motive to commit suicide and for other cultures it is simply a non-existent emotion. (Wall Street, Banking and Washington DC are places that come to mind.)

Ōuyáng Kūnpéng is/was China's best backstroker. He's 28-years-old just before the Beijing Olympics he failed a drug test which infuriated Chinese officials to no end. They simply banned the swimmer for life and made it clear he humiliated his country. Even WADA pressured the Chinese to only ban the swimmer for two years but the Chinese would have no of that. This guy was DONE!

From AP NEWS:

"... "We won't let him represent China in any competition," swim official Yuan Haoran told The Associated Press by phone. "He won't enter the Chinese national team again because of the very bad precedent he set."

WADA's director general, David Howman, says there's not much the agency can now do to help the swimmer, even though it and FINA, swimming's world governing body, did intervene against China's initial decision to suspend Ouyang for life. They leaned on China by filing an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, eventually prompting China to reduce the ban to two years. ..."

[Link]

There you have it, China has set the bar higher than anyone else in regards to doping penalties and restrictions and consequently many Chinese athletes will have their lives sullied with career ending infractions for inadvertent doping.

Ironically enough, the Chinese will be now have the moral authority to point fingers at the United States and others for allowing swimmers who took the wrong antihistamine or supplement; (read the word "swimmer" as Jessica Hardy), and can morally label the world's athletes as dopers in their press.

I nominate Bob Bowman to be USA Swimming's National Team Director!

Bob Bowman has "street cred" with the kids as well as helping to produce the greatest swimmer of all time: Michael Phelps.

Bowman began his career in the trenches at the Area Tallahassee Aquatic Club and also served as the assistant coach at Florida State University. Florida State was, Bob Bowman's, alma mater and it was there that he got a degree in developmental psychology; (A perfect education for someone whose job it is to wrangle ADDHD middle schoolers like Michael Phelps into realizing what they can become.)

He was a swimmer himself displaying leadership qualities while swimming for Seminoles in 1983-1985 by becoming the the team captain his final year.

In 1992-1994 he designed a club program for the Birmingham Swim League and during his tenure became a top-5 club when previously was ranked as a top 20.

Then there are stints all across the country from California to Ohio and finally the Michael Phelps years and history has shown us that he took a difficult teenager and inspired him to realize his greatness. That is an accomplishment.

Though I don't like what Bob Bowman did to my beloved tech-suit, I have to give credit where credit is due and right now, Bob Bowman, is the best man around managerially to replace Mark Schubert, a coach who day has come and gone.

He not only coaches but he manages. He is the perfect person for the job and he is the peron USA Swimming should consider post haste.

The United States is OUT as a sports hosting nation for possibly the next couple of decades! - The world laughs!

As I write this; (Update: before I got Bell's Palsy hence the lack of blog posts and a grumpy and depressed attitude), the United States just lost a bid to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Why did we lose? Because we, (according to Slate magazine), would not pay the alleged bribe money to the FIFA execs. Qatar won the bid instead with an imaginary stadium rendering:

From Slate:

The American bid featured more potential revenue, more media exposure, and vastly more feasible planning than its Qatari counterpart. The infrastructure to host the tournament is already in place here, while Qatar will be starting from closer to scratch. But FIFA is both legendarily corrupt—in October, two members of the executive committee were suspended when the Sunday Times caught them offering to sell their votes, and they're just the tip of the iceberg—and desperately in love with the idea of "legacy." Its eyes light up for opaque governments, bizarre legal exemptions, huge construction projects, and regions that have never staged a major international soccer spectacle. The United States offered none of those things, while Qatar, like Russia and South Africa, offers them all.

[Link]

What about an Olympics - we will ever try an host an Olympic Games? This is what Mr. Scott Blackburn had to say at the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics:

"... The (IOC) sent us a message, loud and clear, that they don't want the Games to be in the United States" and that potential cities in the United States cannot afford Olympic bids just to be spurned like New York and Chicago were in the 2012 and 2016 races respectively. ..."

Anytime a major construction project is begun in an emerging country that includes millions or billions-of-dollars, shoveling money into a project of that magnitude is like shoveling "fleas" across a barn yard floor. Notice how every Olympic project has cost over runs; even the bidding process as well? Where do you think the money is going?

Consider Brazil for the 2012 Olympics: Do they have an airline infrastructure that can handle the visitors? Not yet. Do they have security within their own "ghettos" or favellas that would ensure the safety of visiting travelers? Not yet. Is their current economy stable? NO it is not - They are currently offering 10% interest rates to attract investment since inflation is starting to get out of hand.

So why were they picked? Why? They have no stadium that can house 65,000 seats, not that many airports, nor do they have security. Los Angeles on the other hand has it all: Three airports within a 1/2-hour of each other and every venue needed yet an emerging country was picked.

The IOC has it's own issues with corruption as well and it was the United States organization that bribed them but United States law enforcement that uncovered it as well. From the BBC Sports blog:

So it is fair to say that, when it comes to corruption, the IOC does not have a track record of which its members can be proud. Salt Lake City won the right to host the 2002 Winter Olympics by offering scholarships to the children of IOC members, land in Utah and other lavish gifts. It is hard to hold any discussion about corruption in sport without referring back to a scandal that could have brought down the Olympic movement.

[Link]

Personally, I am not convinced they have changed for why would they have too? Why does the IOC and FIFA pick countries that have yet to prove themselves with adequate infrastructure and security? Why do they take $2-billion chances; (the funding NBC gave them), on imaginary stadium renderings and the promise of a safer political culture?

But I am just a blogger, right? What do I know? Well, the Swiss don't trust them either - From the Swiss news agency ATS:

Switzerland will look into the activities of international sports organizations based in the country, including the football associations FIFA, UEFA and the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the Swiss news agency ATS said on Tuesday.

The country has decided to hold an investigation amid recent bribery scandals, the Swiss Federal Council said adding that it is looking for the eradication of corruption and bribery on all levels.

[Link]

It's time the United States looks inward and realized we are nothing but a resource to these greedy people and maybe it is time to create our own sports movements from the NBA, to Skateboarding, Snowboarding, Surfing and all the other sports we invented? Instead of handling out gold medals, we hand out real gold.

Maybe it is time to embrace the X-Games as our own sports movement?

The artwork above is my wallpaper on my computer at work. I did the art and consider it a gift if you would like to use it on your computer, a blog post or any editorial. However, You must credit my name with any usage or I will hunt you down with a "gun" and a "spear" if you don't.

I was just sent the police report in the Ken Stopkotte embezzlement arrest.

It was Coach Ken Stopkotte that contacted me months ago about the USA Swimming sex abuse issues once I made a blog post regarding a really scary San Jose coach. He was later seen on ABC News 20/20 laying it out out on the table and making lots of enemies in the swimming community.

This was sent to me as a fast note from an anonymous source regarding the recent charges filed against him. They included the police report in the arrest along with a cryptic comment:

"... Attached is the police report. [Note:] There is no mention whatsoever that Ken used any of the funds for personal gain, no mention that he embezzled money, no mention that the monies in said "private account" which in reality was a FAST account found its way to Ken.

More next week! ..."

Enter dramatic music - 0_o - I love a mystery, let's see what we get next week. The anon source did drop a bomb that I am too chicken to print. They say I will be getting more details next week.

Natalie Portman included swim training in preparation for her latest movie epic: 'Black Swan'

I like dance! I appreciate the athleticism and the grace. Apparently some ballerinas like swimming too. Elle Magazine conducts an interview with Mary Helen Bowers of, Ballet Beautiful, for Elle Magazine. Bowers trained Natalie Portman getting her amazingly fit and graceful for the Darren Aronofsky film: Black Swan. It opens December 3rd, 2010.

The obvious part I liked best was that Helen Bowers included swimming as part of Portman's artistic and physical development. From Elle:

Did you include any cross-training in your sessions with Portman?

I did. Ballet can be hard on your joints and when you’re on a movie set doing take after take it can become really repetitive. To give her joints a break, we’d go swimming because it allowed us to work on her endurance and elongate her muscles with zero impact. ...

[Link]

Read it to see how far she swam, how often, and what strokes.

A red flag for the Rio de Janeiro 2016 Games - Week long violence prompts Rio Olympic organizers to promised "total security" for Rio Games!

From Associated Press via USA Today:

More than 96 buses and cars have been burned on major roadways, many motorists have been robbed and police outposts have been shot in the city that will host the final match of the 2014 World Cup as well as the 2016 Olympics.

[Link]

At the Wall Street Journal, which is very good at looking around corners and providing analysis, they mentioned that Brazil Peacekeeping Police brought in armor carriers borrowed from the military to quell violence:

A burned-out car was found with a sign declaring "no Olympics" as long as the peacekeeping police are in place, a local newspaper reported. State authorities responded by deploying heavily armed paramilitary police units to battle the gangs.

[Link]

I recently became worried about the Rio 2016 Games when I noticed that the interest rates on their bonds and certificate of deposit rates started to spike.

In the 1980's Brazil's inflation rate roared to +80% a month; (a loaf of bread that cost $1.00 in June cost $1.80 in July), and the government had to institute some new ideas and a new currency; (the Real featured in the photo above).

What is the inflation in Brazil today?

From Bloomberg:

Higher prices for food, including beans and corn, helped push the annual inflation rate in Latin America’s biggest economy to a five-month high of 5.2 percent in October. Consumer prices rose 0.86 percent in the month through mid-November, the fastest pace in nine months, the national statistics agency said Nov. 23.

[Link]

Now, within one hour or writing all the above, the International Olympic Committee weighs in:

"... "Security arrangements fall under the responsibility of governments," the IOC said in a statement sent to The Associated Press. "In the past, Rio and Brazil have shown that they are able to host major events safely and we have full confidence in the Brazilian authorities' capacity to deliver a safe games in six years' time.

"The IOC has discussed the security issue directly with Rio 2016 and express confidence that there will be adequate security for the games. ..."

[Link]

Though the IOC gives their full endorsement that Brazil will have both it's Security issues and the ability to host international events in six years time fulfilled, FIFA is showing a little less patience demanding results in both Stadium preparation and airport infrastructure.

From USA today:

[President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva] also criticized FIFA for imposing "European standards" for the construction and the upgrade of stadiums for the World Cup. He specifically complained of the FIFA veto to Morumbi stadium in Sao Paulo, which has forced the city to build another venue to try to host the competition's opening match.

[FIFA demands a stadium that can hold 65,000 spectators - airport infrastructure is also contained in the article.]

[Link]

If I was an IOC official, I would quietly give Brazil a 2012 deadline delte all internal security concerns and proof that the 2014 FIFA World CUP was on strong economic footing. If not, I would start shopping for a "Plan B" venue for the 2016 games. Beijing, Japan or Los Angeles would be my choice for a "Plan B."

What shocks me the most about all the these governing bodies from FIFA, the IOC and even FINA: You would think the IOC and others would pick a country that had it's ducks in a row rather than betting that they will come opening ceremonies.

Politics as usual: Coaches charging rent for pools they do not own and I question if swimming has entered the dark ages?

This sort of corruption is taking place in pool facilities all over America. This is not an isolated case. If a local swim team or a masters swim club wants to get into a pool, the head coach is the first person they have to see. In most cases the coach will say the following: What will you bring to this facility to make it a better pool? Or the possibility that a coach will suggest something more sinister like: "What will you do for me?"

From FOX 59:

Since 2006, the Fishers YMCA had been paying $6,000 a year to use the Fisher's High School pool. The only problem is the district never received any of those funds nor did they know that the pool was ever being used in the first place.

According to a probable cause affidavit, [Ken] Stopkotte charged the YMCA $500 a month rent for approximately four years. But on at least three occasions that amount was doubled to $1,000 a month.

[Link]

It is my belief that swimming is not doing very well right now. I am unimpressed with the sex abuse lawsuits, the "poolitics" at the local level, and of course the politics at the governing body level.

We have had a professional swimmer die in a race that never should have been staged. A race staged with a governing body who had little experience to execute the task all the while a USA Swimming/ASCA coach was on site and actually allowed the team to swim in such hazardous conditions.

To their credit FINA and USA Swimming have called for an investigation, but nothing has been investigated so far according to Swimming World on November 22nd 2010:

"As of two days ago, the FINA open water committee has not been charged by FINA to find out what went wrong in Dubai," Shoulberg said.

[Link]

We are now entering a phase in swimming where swim coaches are being routinely arrested and Swimming World is becoming a quasi police blotter since they have been reporting any convictions made.

USA Swimming has been in a constant state of litigation for almost 3-years now by the victims in their wake. It certainly did not help their case when their policy du jour was seemingly to point fingers at the sex abuse victims in San Jose for not filing "official complaints."

Then we have the retail level: Governing bodies are still playing favorites with suit manufacturers. FINA has even been playing favorites with whose suits they will approve first. Manufacturers such as TYR and blueseventy are flirting with more friendlier sports, namely open water and triathlons, professional swimmers are begging for money to support themselves while execs who profit off their backs make hundreds-of-thousands-of-dollars-a-year at the governing bodies.

In 2008, swimming had suddenly become a professional sport and obviously the governing bodies did not like that for USA Swimming, Swimming Australia, and other governing bodies were actually forced to pay swimmers who set world records.

Hence, welcome to the dark ages. Will anyone outside of swimming know who Ryan Lochte is or will his name end up like Matt Biondi's whereas only hard core swimmers remember him?

Kids, there is no money in this sport so take the scholarship and create a real life for yourself outside of all this nonsense. Keep swimming and don't stop but keep it fun.

Shoulder pain fixes - lots of information and photos.

If you feel shoulder pain after a workout, you were doing something wrong with it. Of course there are conditions like arthritis and otherwise, but swimming, if done correctly will not harm your shoulders. Here are a couple of sites I found with some pretty good information:

From Swim Smooth:

"... Correcting your technique is not actually that difficult, but you do need to know what to look out for and, just as importantly, work diligently to improve in these areas. If available to you, video analysis is a great tool for this because it really helps you identify what you personally need to work on. We recommend you get some if you possibly can. ..."

[Link]

From NISMAT:

"...Swimmer's shoulder can be prevented by using proper freestyle stroke. The hand should enter the water with the small finger first and the palm facing inward. When the hand enters the water it should not cross the middle of the body to avoid impingement. For further stroke instruction, seek the advice of a swimming coach.

Swimmers should avoid rapid increases in training distances or frequency of training as this is likely to wear out the shoulder muscles leaving them at risk for impingement and shoulder pain. ..."

[Link]

AP is reporting that Mark Schubert is out as USA Swimming head coach!

Another one of Chuck Wielgus' emails may have been leaked and this time it allegedly reveals that, Mark Schubert, is out as USA Swimming national team coach.

If this email leak is true, this Mark Schubert story seems a bit odd to me. After the USA Swimming convention, Schubert is suddenly put on a 60 day paid suspension leave of absence with no official statement made known by either party. There are a lot of whispers but nothing solid. Then, when 60-days is up, he is suddenly fired no longer the national team coach and no reason has been provided.

So again, if this is true, why is neither side talking? Why is there no acrimony, pleasant farewells or a gold watch goodbye? Sounds like there is a "game theory equation" in there somewhere whereas it was in USA Swimming's best interests to dump him and consequently it is in both parties interests to to say nothing about it.

From Associated Press:

"... USA Swimming executive director Chuck Wielgus wrote in an e-mail obtained by the AP that Schubert "is no longer the National Team Head Coach..."

[Link]

The photo above is Tyler Cary at the TYR Swim Meet of Champions. The photo was taken by Mark Savage.

FINED $8,700 - 'USA Swimming' refuses to turn over evidence in the Jane Doe vs. 'USA Swimming' sex abuse case!

A Santa Clara Superior Court judge in the Jane Doe vs. USA Swimming lawsuit has fined USA Swimming a total of $8,700 for failing to comply with the judge's orders on two separate occasions. There was one fine for about $3,500 in conjunction with USA Swimming failing to produce witnesses for deposition and then recently another for about $5,200 for failing to deliver documents to the plaintiff's lawyer.

The documents in question contain nearly 2,000 pages of sex abuse complaints filed against coaches USA Swimming has sanctioned. The plaintiff's attorney, Robert Allard, has complained twice to the Santa Clara Superior Court judge handling the case stating that USA Swimming is not cooperating and they have been sending nothing but gibberish, indecipherable newspaper clippings and redacted documents. The judge agreed and has now fined USA Swimming twice so far. USA Swimming is appealing.

Do you realize that this organization has been in a constant sate of litigation for the past 2-years or so? What National Governing body has ever been sued this much?

Not only is the swimming community getting fed up with these people but the Colorado Springs community is too. See this editorial in the Colorado Springs Gazette:

USA Swimming gave the files to Allard in August, however, they were “indecipherable,” he wrote in a Sept. 13 motion, noting they “were not provided in any logical order” and alleging the NGB assumed “a most liberal interpretation (of the court order) by redacting anything that provided any specifics whatsoever.”

Essentially, Allard got a lot of garbage. Names of witnesses, cities, schools, swim clubs and police departments were struck from the documents, termed by Allard as “entirely nonsensical” and “virtually unreadable.” In six cases, USA Swimming redacted bits of newspaper articles, and in two cases, the NGB submitted identical documents with different redactions within each document.

[Link]

Will NASA endorse tech-suits?

Taking a cue from progressive swimmers, NASA is about to test a tech-suit or what MIT calls a, gravity loading countermeasure skinsuit, that astronauts would wear to prevent bone loss.

Space travelers lose 1%-to-2% of bone in their legs for every month they are in space. These tech suits which don't look nearly as a effective as a blueseventy or a Jaked are suppose to prevent all that.

The TYR Tracer Light with all it's seams is definitely an option as well.

From Trendhunter:

Designed by MIT, the Gravity Loading Countermeasure Skinsuit essentially acts as an elastic band, compressing the body lengthwise so that the shoulders pull down towards the feet. By doing so, researchers believe it will replicate Earth’s gravity effects. Although still in its testing stages, the results look promising thus far.

[Link]

From CNN:

"... MIT isn't the first group to think of a gravity-replicating suit. The "Penguin Suit," made by the Russian space program, is in use at the international space station now, according to the report. That suit uses bungee cords and a leather belt to create tension on a person's skeleton. The cords connect from the belt to the shoulders and also down to the feet and calves..."

[Link]

English Channel swim crossings may be banned!

The French have never been too thrilled with English Channel crossings since the English Channel maybe one of the most busiest sea lanes in the world. Consequently, they feel the economics of having their shared channel remain free and clear from collisions and accidents mitigates any fundraising opportunities or ferry boat fees.

The article mentions that as many as 500 ships travel through the channel each day at speeds of 25-knots or so and that these container ships take about a mile to stop. The obvious concerns sited are potential collisions between boats and swimmers.

I do believe their concerns for 21-years ago they banned channel crossings from their side which illustrates an antagonism towards the swim rather than any sort of political or economic machinations.

From the Guardian:

"... Danish company DFDS, which runs a service between Dover and Dunkirk, wants the Maritime and Coastguard Agency to oversee swims instead of the Channel Swimming and Piloting Federation and the Channel Swimming Association.

"We are concerned these crossings are unregulated and growing at an expedient rate. We would like to see it regulated by the MCA," said DFDS passenger director Chris Newey.

The company's concerns will be echoed by Deputy director of the French Coastguard Jean-Christophe Burving in a BBC documentary tomorrow, Inside Out South East, in which he calls for the swimming route to be banned entirely, according to the BBC. ..."

[Link]

A container ship can costs as much as $50,000 a day to rent when the economy is humming to probably about $10,000 today. No one wants an accident. I think will careful permitting and mass, staggered, start I am sure something could be worked out for swimmers and the French.

Shawn sent me this: "...Upcoming movie on Logo as part of their Logo Doc series. It's called Synchronized Swimming and it premieres Saturday at 8:00 PM /7:00 Central.

Here is a synopsis of it:

Go below the surface and join the dazzling divers of Synchronized Swimming. Two teams of hopeful girls—and one ambitious boy—battle it out in a stunning display of grace, beauty, and fabulousness. Following the team’s preparation for their climactic U.S. open performance, the documentary explores the training, team bonding, and adversity encountered by the athletes. With all its breathtaking splendor and ferocious competition, Synchronized Swimming is sure to make a splash.

Hope all is well and hope you enjoy the film!

Most swimmers I know like to drink - How much is the safe allowable amount?

I include the numbers just for men to save space. I decided to do a post on this after looking at what a terrible carcinogen alcohol is, even more so than smoking when you take into account all your organs. I also want to include that those who do not drink; (like myself), are ironically at risk for general organ cancers as well but in my opinion that study needs more supporting evidence.

Note, the numbers listed below are in grams. 30-grams (30g) equals one fluid ounce, 237-grams equals a cup.

From Wikipedia, the numbers in blue are links to valid references:

Daily maximum drinks (no weekly limits recommended)

• Australia: 2/day; 14/week (@10g = 20g/day, 140g/week)^[14][15] (New guidelines were adopted on 6 March 2009.^[16])
• Austria: 24g
• Czech Republic: 24g
• Italy: 40g (30g for the elderly)^[9]
• Japan: 1–2 (@19.75g = 19.75–39.5g)
• Netherlands: 3 (@9.9g = 29.7g)
• Portugal: 37g^[13]
• Spain: 3 (@10g = 30g) Also suggests a maximum of no more than twice this on any one occasion.^[13]
• Sweden: 20g
• Switzerland:2 (@10–12g = 20–24g)^[17]

Therefore, these countries recommend limits for men in the range 20–40g per day.

Daily/weekly maximum drinks

These countries recommend a weekly limit, but intake on a particular day may be higher than one-seventh of the weekly amount.

• Canada: 2/day; 14/week (@13.6g = 27.2g/day, 190g/week)^[2][18]
• Hong Kong: 3–4/day; 21/week (glass of wine or a pint of beer)
• New Zealand: 3/day; 21/week (@10g = 30g/day, 210g/week)^[11]
• UK: 3–4/day; 21/week (@8g = 24–32g day, 168g/week)
• USA: 1-2 units/day (14–28g/day), not to exceed 14 units/week (196g/week)^[17]

Therefore, these countries recommend limits for men in the range 27.2–32g per day and 168–210g per week.

[Link]

I would like to include some evidence that has not been mentioned in the press regarding the Fran Crippen tragedy!

UPDATE: I failed to make it clear that I have been told that Dale Neuberger recused himself from every Dubai meeting and FINA vote regarding the fatal Fran Crippen swim. I was also shown a reference at 'Swim News' that he did so as well.

I still stand by the questions I asked but I want to make it clear that I do not accuse Mr. Neuberger of using de facto leverage to get Dubai accepted as a venue but I do question what influence his title at FINA may have had in getting Dubai selected.

FINA has assembled a task force to investigate what caused Fran Crippen's tragic death at the UAE Swimming Association, FINA 10k Open Water Championships in Fujairah, Dubai.

I would like to include some evidence that has not been mentioned nor have I seen it written anywhere in the press.

First, FINA has put together a task force with the following members:

Chairman

• Mr. Gunnar Werner
Lawyer, Senior Vice President of the Court of Arbitration for Sport & FINA Honorary Member

Members

• Dr. Harold Vervaecke, PhD (BEL)
Secretary General of the International Life Saving Federation (ILS) Doctor in Sports and Physical Education

• Dr. Antonio Pelliccia, MD (ITA)
Scientific Director of the Institute of Sports Medicine of CONI and World Authority on Cardiovascular Disease and Sports Medicine (specialised in sudden death)

• Mr. Greg Towle (AUS) – subject to confirmation Leading open water coach from Australia. He has extensive experience coaching open water swimmers under many different conditions.

• Dr. Tobie Smith, MD (USA): Doctor of family medicine practising in NYC. Champion in the 25km at the 8th FINA World Championships Perth 1998. Advocate for Open Water Swimming and safety for its athletes.

The FINA Task Force will start its activity immediately.

[Link]

All members are summarily accomplished in their respective fields which is a very good start. Consequently, I would like to submit some evidence that was sent to me by someone who would prefer to remain anonymous.

Dale Neuburger, former president of USA Swimming, is an accomplished man. He served as USA Swimming President from 1998 to 2002. He is currently the Vice President of FINA and has been since 2000; (this is just scratching the surface of what he has accomplished.)

Neuburger's accomplishments in sport related activities run deep at the local, national and international level. Here is an ad hoc resumé at the FINA-Aquatics site that lists his accomplishments and the positions he currently holds.

One notable resumé point that sticks out is, Neuburger's, Director title, for a sports management company called, TSE.

Who is TSE and what do they do: if you read their What We Do section at the TSE website, these notable services stand out:

• Host City Strategy and Development
• Sports Performance (Includes: Developing a strategic plan for Games planning and preparation
• Bid Process Management
• Event Appraisal
• Bidding

Above are just some of the items that TSE offers as a service but why does this mean anything and what is the big deal?

There is a press release at the TSE website stating that TSE not only organized the bid for the UAE Swimming Association, but that the UAE Swimming Associatioin won an overwhelming majority in the first round of bidding; (14-out-of 20-votes), defeating other bidders such as Hamburg, Germany and the Moscow, Russia. Counties who obviously feature cooler water for a 10-kilometer marathon swim versus the high-eighties the swimmers were subjected to in Fujairah, Dubai.

The question: Why is it that a Vice President of FINA was allowed to have a company that he holds a Director title within elligible to pursue an economic opportunity that may have been in his best interest to have FINA select?

Were there any conflicts of interest in this winning vote?

Did other members who voted for Dubai feel any undue influence or pressure to vote for the UAE venue versus Hamburg or Moscow since the Vice President of FINA possibly had a dog in the fight?

Can USA Swimming be unbiased since they may have to investigate a relationship of one of their own accomplished members?

I hope the FINA team assembled thoroughly investigate this tragedy which I call an unintentional homicide and release their findings to the family and the public at large.

If you work in the press and you are reading this, please go to the sites and take screen-shots.