'Omega' loves swimmers: Phelps, Thorpe, Popov, and now Massimiliano Rosolino

I am both intrigued and impressed by Omega's fascination with swimmers. I wish I could talk to their marketing director and ask them why?

Timepiece makers like Baum and Mercier will go for middle-aged celebrities and Tag Hauer likes Tiger Woods but Omega insists on swimmers and it must be working.

Massimiliano Rosolino is the most successful athlete in the history of Italian swimming has joined the team of Omega Watch spokespersons. This marks another champion from the world of swimming is joining the exclusive team of OMEGA spokespersons, adding his name to others who have made their mark on the history of this sport, such as Michael Phelps, Alexander Popov, and Ian Thorpe.

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Who is Rosolino? From Wikipedia:

Rosolino represented Italy in all of the four editions of the Olympic Games since 1996. At the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, he became the second Olympic champion ever in the history of Italian swimming as he won the gold medal in the 200 m individual medley (1:58.98, then Olympic and national record). He won two more medals: a silver medal in the 400 m freestyle setting the current European record (3:43.40) behind Ian Thorpe, and a bronze medal in the 200 m freestyle (1:46.65) behind Pieter van den Hoogenband and Ian Thorpe. At the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Rosolino won a bronze medal with the Italian team in the 4x200 m freestyle relay.

I am loving that pool behind him too! Would be great for filming a swimmer from above.

Speedo and Omega immediatelty stand behind Phelps

From the International Herald Tribune:

"... Luxury Swiss watchmaker Omega termed Phelps' actions a private matter and "nonissue." Swim wear manufacturer Speedo called the 23-year-old American a "valued member of the Speedo team. ..."

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The consensus is that Phelps will come out of this unscathed though summarily embarrassed but I take a contrary point of view: I suspect those outrageously paid marketing director's at the multi-billion-dollar 'conglomos' who took Phelps on as the face of their company are evaluating whose job is at risk here, his job or their jobs! Especially at companies like McDonalds, Kellogs, and Visa.

'CBS Market Watch': Ian Thorpe on his Michael Phelps prediction - Alexander Popov on Dara Torres!

Also in this article are thoughts by Michael Phelps, Natalie Coughlin and Katie Hoff who have opinions too but these quotes stood out:

Ian Thorpe: "...Thorpe quickly replied that he had not said that Phelps could not win all eight events but that he had thought, given the nature of the competition that it would be nearly impossible. Phelps nodded in agreement as Thorpe added, "I've never been so happy to be wrong about something."..."

Alexander Popov asked if Dara Torres inspired a comeback: "... the Russian replied. No nagging voices in the back of his head? Popov answered, "The voices in the back of my head say, 'Don't do it' and I listen to those voices."..." :-P [Link]

As boring as the photo above is, this is a rare moment of seeing some of the greatest swimmers that have ever existed; and of course, that includes Popov.

I got the photo from Omega's press section.

Speculation by 'Omega': Cavic may have touched first but Phelps touched harder! - Photo evidence had to sort it out!

From AP: "... Phelps' time of 50.58 seconds was confirmed after a review down to the 10-thousandth of a second; Cavic's time was 50.59.

Chianese explained that it requires 3 kilograms (6.6 pounds) of pressure to activate the touchpad.

"Any less and waves would set it off," Chianese said. "You can't just put your fingertips on the pad, you really have to push it. We explained all this directly after the race to (Cavic) and his coach."

The photos were taken by Omega cameras placed directly above the finish line, slightly angled to include two lanes in each photo. [Link]

The photos to the right on top do not really confirm or show me anything. The DVR and the Sports Illustrated photos were better. I am looking for a higher rez copy.