Eamon Sullivan makes it's clear that this is a sport that happens every four years!

The Australians got spanked in London; their worst showing since 1976. To rub some chlorine into the wound it happened in a Commonwealth country too which for them was not quite a home pool advantage but if you were not racing a Brit you had some "second-string" fans rooting for you.

The opening quote from Reuters says it all:

"... As much as you think you're ready for it, the difference between world championships and the Olympics is a hundred times more pressure," freestyle specialist Eamon Sullivan told reporters on Thursday. 

"We under-prepared for the expectations of the pressure and the experience of the Olympics and, unfortunately, it's a bad time to learn lessons," he added. ..." 

[Link]

I don't think that Eamon Sullivan is talking about "stage fright" here but rather that the competition is greatly improved and is more formidable even when compared to World Championships. Also of note is that perhaps Australia does not have much to work with?

As big as the Australian continent is the population is minute. With a land mass that is just about the  size of the United States, the population there is estimated to be about 22-million citizens. To put how small that is into perspective, the city of Shanghai, China which is the largest city in that country has a population count of  23-million citizens. (China has about 76-cities)

Moreover, with such a small population it's impressive that Australian coaches have fielded such great athletes throughout the years and explains why they can take in a Ye Shiwen or a Sun Yang and turned that "unrefined resource" and reform it into a "beautiful diamond."

What the London Games has proven is that Australia may have the best coaches in the word but a small "pool" of athletes. In short: the problems facing Australian Swimming is not the pressure, it's the amount of available talent.

Above is YouTube movie called "Shift Happens." It is essentially an award-winning Powerpoint presentation that scared the heck out of the awards body that was judging it.

With emerging nations becoming more affluent and which contain larger populations, the United States may be next in line to get spanked.

From WBAL: Those Who Attempt To Challenge The Blue Wall Of Silence At USA Swimming Face Instant Retaliation!

WBAL profiles what they believe was a "hit job" and "blacklisting" of Coach Ken Stopkotte by USA Swimming. They pose a very good argument.

For background on who Coach Ken Stopkotte is and what exactly happened to him, see this blog I wrote back in March: [Link]

From WBAL.com:

Ken Stopkotte had heard enough.

So in the fall of 2009, after the arrest of Chris Wheat for sexually abusing a 14 year-old girl at the Lawrence Swim Club in Lawrence, Indiana, Stopkotte, a swim coach himself (and eventual 2010 Indiana Swim Coach of the Year) made the bold move and went to the local Indianapolis media and spoke of the disturbing pattern of sexual abuse that was emerging within the ranks of USA Swimming.

How could Stopkotte not speak up after suspecting that Wheat was a problem. While the head coach of the Indiana Zone All Star Team, Stopkotte reportedly confronted Tony Young, the Sports Development Director at Indiana Swimming, and told Young that he didn’t want Wheat on his staff based on rumors he had heard from female swimmers. Young ignored Stopkotte’s warning., with Young saying something to the effect of “take it or leave it.”

Stopkotte was adamant that speaking out to the media was the right thing to do in an effort to shed light on this growing crisis within the sport; yet he was also aware that he would face immediate and vicious blowback from many others in the swim world.

[Link]

I love swimming and I sometimes wonder what would have happened to me career-wise if I wrote this blog and I made my living training swimmers for the Olympics?

I wonder if they're coaches out there who are thinking the same thing?

2012 London Games Advertising: Who advertised. How often, Which ads were covered by the press favorably or unfavorably!

Shannon from Dow Jones sent us this. these cool graphs and pie-charts that tell us how the advertising looked to the Olympics as an important vehicle to get their message out.

The people who compiles these "thoroughly boss" charts for us are the people at Factiva. Now, my favorite graphs are these: Top Global Sponsors Favorability, and Top Global Sponsors Trend.

I am astonished that the Proctor & Gamble ads were viewed as the "best in show" ads and covered favorably by the press at large. These ads were very "pro-Mom" acknowledging the "mothers of the world" as the real forces behind the success of the athletes whether male or female. [...] These were not my favorite commercials for they made the mothers seem; (to this male point of view) a little obsessed.

Michael Phelps takes a bath with Louis Vuitton

From the Huffington Post:

"... Snapped by Annie Leibovitz, the shot shows 27-year-old Phelps soaking in a pristine white tub wearing -- what else? -- a Speedo. His Louis Vuitton tote bag, which we doubt he carries in real life, sits on the ground next to him. ...

[Link]

BBC - Could the fledgling field of performance profiling reveal the truth about Olympian achievements that defy expectation?

When I read the headline I thought the general topic would be about using analytics to find great athletes. Instead it was about using statistical analytics to judge who should be tested for performance enhancing drugs.

The subject has it share of political spin with proponents stating that this profiling would not be to punish or discipline athletes but rather to "screen" them. The word "screen" should be read as, "If you are really good then you are a de facto suspect and will be "screened" more because we are suspicious. That's how I read it.

From the BBC:

To make performance profiling more rigorous, sports scientists must determine a typical trajectory for each sport and each event by studying data from hundreds, even thousands of careers, says Berthelot. Sprinters tend to peak young and fall off quickly, while distance runners typically peak in their late 20s and early 30s and lose their speed less quickly. With this foundation and as much data as possible on an athlete’s past performances, computer models could put a probability on the likelihood that a performance was unusual enough to warrant closer drug screening, or whether it fits the trajectory of a exceptional career.

[Link]

In horse racing the crooks use to dope the "losers" to make them into "winners" and then bet heavily on them. Then when they realized that drug testing was getting too sophisticated to mask, they started doping the "winners" so as to become "losers" and then bet heavily on the "long shots."

When I say long shots I mean "Hubble-telescope-grade" long shots. Those who should have never been in the race in the first place let alone in a stable. The way they would doped these faster horses was terrible, they would stick a sponge up the horse's nose so it could not breathe properly and consequently fade during the race.

In my opinion dope testing is important but it should be that all athletes get tested not just the youngest or the best. Selective screening simply punishes the strong an places suspicion on greatness no matter what the category.

National Institute of Health (NIH): Prevention and Treatment of Swimmer's Shoulder

Photos and exercises included...

From the NIH:

Swimmer's shoulder is a musculoskeletal condition that results in symptoms in the area of the anterior lateral aspect of the shoulder, sometimes confined to the subacromial region. The onset of symptoms may be associated with impaired posture, glenohumeral joint mobility, neuromuscular control, or muscle performance. Additionally, training errors such as overuse, misuse, or abuse may also contribute to this condition. In extreme cases, patients with swimmer's shoulder may have soft tissue pathology of the rotator cuff, long head of the biceps, or glenoid labrum. Physical therapists involved in the treatment of competitive swimmers should focus on prevention and early treatment, addressing the impairments associated with this condition, and analyzing training methods and stroke mechanics. The purpose of this clinical commentary is to provide an overview of the biomechanics of swimming, the etiology of the clinical entity referred to as swimmer's shoulder, and strategies for injury prevention and treatment.

[Link]

Omega Watches: OMEGA House「Swimmers Night at London 2012」

Natalie Coughlin loves the "Seamaster" the Omega watch that is!- Me too!

Triathlete dies during the swim portion of the Ironman New York/New Jersey - Open water deaths in New York are practically becoming a statistic!

Another tragic open water death - swimming is an extreme sport and more swimmers have died doing sanctioned open water racing than MMA/UFC fighting.

I suspect that New York City may be the most dangerous place to hold an open water race. More deaths have occurred there than any other city in the United States. I can think of four besides this one.

From LoHud.com:

The competitor "experienced distress" during a 2.4-mile swim in the Hudson River at the start of the all-day competition, a publicist for the race organizers said. The course ran along the New Jersey shoreline, just north of the George Washington Bridge.

The swimmer was pulled out of the water and taken to a hospital in nearby Englewood Cliffs, N.J., but did not survive. The organizers said the cause of death is unknown. An autopsy is planned.

New York City police said the contestant was a 43-year-old man. His name has not yet been released.

[Link

Swimming World: Sun Yang's $20-million dollar payday will partially be shared with his team!

Wow! Imagine if USA Swimming had the same sort of communist law! - Actually it sort of has has a nice ring to it since $6.5-million would be split between 50-swimmers-or-so. That's about $135,000 each.

My flame resistant suit is on! - Come at me, bring it, game -on!

From Swimming World:

"... Sun, who is in line to make $18 million throughout the next year as part of a sponsorship deal with Coca Cola, shoe company 361 Degrees and dairy goods manufacturer Yili, will also be required to share part of those funds to the rest of the Chinese Olympic swim team according to Yahoo Sports. His contract with the Chinese Swimming Federation requires that around one-third of those funds must be turned over to the rest of the Olympic swim team. ..."

[Link]

I did the artwork above more than a decade ago. When I was the senior artist for the Disney Store Online, the outside people called us the "Dot Commies" so I made it for myself.



哇！试想一下，如果美国游泳有相同的共产主义的法律！ - 其实它的有它，因为有一个很好的环之间进行分配6.5亿美元的50游泳或。这是135000美元。

我的阻燃服！ - 我来，带上它，游戏！

从世界游泳：

“...太阳，谁是谁非线$18亿美元，在整个明年的一部分与可口可乐的赞助合同，制鞋企业361度品和奶制品生产商伊利，也将被要求分享这些资金的一部分据雅虎体育的中国奥运游泳代表队的休息。他的合同要求，大约有三分之一的这些资金必须上交其余的奥运游泳代表队与中国游泳协会......“

我做了以上更比十年前的作品。当我是前辈艺术家的迪斯尼在线商店，外面的人，我们称为“点党员”，所以我为自己造的。

Just got back from a US Masters Swim Meet.

I swam in an 800m freestyle relay; (long course meters like the cool kids do), at the Natadores pool in Mission Viejo today. The weather was about 100-degress-plus. Consequently, I had to jump into the warm-up pool three-times before my heat to cool off.

The water at the Natadors pool is practically "holy." Since I started swimming Masters I have seen Kate Ziegler set a world record there, I shot photos of Rebecca Soni winning races, I have photos of Tyler Clary, Chloe Sutton, Jessica Hardy and many others. The one above is of Rebecca Soni post a race win.

So, I had to swim in the 50-free within 30-minutes after swimming my 200m Free. The relay went great and though we placed fourth it was still rewarding because relays are always an exhilarating activity. Even Michael Phelps thinks so. (Hey, triathletes, consider trying it.)

I had quit competing in the pool after the techsuit ban as did many others. Though I swam in an expensive set of Jammers that cost me a $100 At Amazon; (TYR Tracer Light), I swam on top of  my tech suit times which was surprising. Must say I had a blast and I am sorry that I stopped competing even,

When I got to the 50-free, I felt like I had just finished rock climbing a wall at Stony Point. My arms were shaky and my triceps felt like water balloons and my legs felt nonexistent too. When the race started it was my most effective start I have ever done. The Natadors club finally got new starting blocks and you can launch "like a boss." The old ones felt like "pie-plates" and they wiggled too. so, when I hit the water I did three dolphin kicks and it was the only time in that trace when I was actually leading.  After then, it got worse:  I had to breathe 4-times during the race wheres I usually only breathe once, and worst of all, my goggles were around my neck. Not my best race but I beat a particular someone which felt really good! >:-)

Back for more in a 200m relay; will have  much better 50m-free

Missy Franklin does a bumper for a show called "The Whistle"

Most dynamic personality I have seen in an elite swimmer in a very long time. Here she does a bumper for a program called "The Whistle"

Video description:

Gold-medal winning American swimmer Missy Franklin talks about her superstitions, tries a British accent, and shows off a killer victory dance at the U.S. Olympic Committee's media day in Times Square. 

[Link]

Constructed 'Lego' of the 'London Aquatics Centre' - Synchronized swimming in progress!

The best artwork is the when you mind has to fill in the missing details. We know Lego is plastic yet when we view the translucent blue material, our imagination changes it into water.

Very ambitious and accessible.

From woohome.com - several more photos there to look at. : [Link]

Gerald Schoenewolf, Ph.D writes for Yahoo regarding Michael Phelps relationship with his father.

Gerald Schoenewolf, Ph.D., is a licensed psychoanalyst in New York, an adjunct professor of psychology, and an author of 20 books of psychology, philosophy, fiction and poetry. He has also written and directed two feature films, the most recent being, BROOKLYN NIGHTS, based on the Dostoevsky short story, "White Nights."

He has written a article for Yahoo discussing Michael Phelps relation with his possible relationship with his father titled "Whatever happened to Michael Phelps Father?"

Granted, he acknowledges that his opinions are based on what he has seen, heard or read in the media but he makes a good case that not only did Michael Phelps over came adversity but that his father as distant as he may have been, has some rock solid integrity too.

From Yahoo:

None of them--neither the mother nor the two sisters--ever mention Michael's father. He has not been seen at the London Olympics, nor was he at the Beijing Games. It appears that Michael's father, Fred, is a persona non grata to this close-knit family comprised of mother, daughters and son. 

When Michael's father didn't attend the Beijing Games, Fred told told interviewers, "I'm very proud of him and all he's done. This is not about me, it's about him." Based on this one quote, he does not seem like an uncaring father. 

In an interview with Yahoo! reporter Summer Sanders following the winning of his 22nd gold medal (in case you have been living on Mars, he has won more medals at the Olympics than any other athlete), he spoke briefly about his relationship with his father. In a muted voice, when asked about his father, he said his father had come to the U.S. trials but not the Olympics. When asked about communication, he replied that there was "not much communication." When [Summer pressed him, he added, "We've been able to kind of talk. …"

[Link]

USA Swimming has '2012 Swim Trials, LLC' choose the Olympians. Few swimmers realized they were swimming for a private company.

Sarah Gjerstad is in the house and don't underestimate her. She wrote article for me titled: "What’s the Problem with Swimming."

Never under estimate her. She called out John Leonard for a faulty corporate structure and he had to admit she was right in a deposition and now she outlines how USA Swimming operates and what they are getting wrong. It might surprise you especially her take on the sex abuse cases.

I promise you this is a good read and quite enlightening. I will include my comments in the comments section:

What’s the Problem with Swimming -- Sarah Gjerstad

Recently John Leonard made a statement that “Ms. Gjerstad had a complete misconnection with SwimAmerica, ASCA.” He may be insulting me, but due to his limited proficiency in English, I’m not sure. I am tempted to revive last summer’s battle with him. It was emotional satisfying to write a blog pointing out the lunacy and failings of someone who gleefully threatened Tony and me with lawsuits. Satisfying, tempting, but no longer productive. It’s time to move on.

From the lawsuits, blog posts, and comments many are dissatisfied with the programs controlled by USA Swimming. This includes club swimming, coach certification, and lack of professional opportunities for swimmers.

What is causing these problems? Is it USA Swimming? Where should people send complaints? As usual, I have an opinion. Ever the contrarian, my opinion might surprise many.

It’s easiest for me to address weak complaints, and organizations that are not responsible.

The USOC [United States Olympic Committee] has selected USA Swimming as the National Governing Body (NGB). The NGB has the authority to choose the team for international competitions, represent the US in the international sports federation, conduct national level competitions, sanction international competitions held in the US. That’s about it. USA Swimming does all that. There are no complaints with those activities. Hence, USOC is a non-player in these problems.

There have been complaints about the lack of a professional league for swimmers. Rarely in sports it the NGB and the professional league the same corporation. The NGB must be a non- profit, and the goals and business practices of professional leagues make non-profit status a challenge. Often the NGBs have the professional leagues choose the Olympians, and to some extent it is that way in swimming. USA Swimming has 2012 Swim Trials, LLC choose the Olympians. Few swimmers realized they were swimming for a private company. We don’t know the financial details, because it is private. We should be able to find out corporate information about 2012 Swim Trials, LLC to ensure no conflict of interest existed. But we can’t find information because, dare I say it again, I cannot locate its corporate registration in the Colorado Secretary of State records. But whatever the status of that corporation, USA Swimming is not the professional league. Swimmers, or someone interested in swimming, needs to form a league, and create professional meets. Patty Berg, founder of the PGA in 1948, told us in the 1970s to form a league. Why hasn’t it happened?

Club swimming is where the problems lie. The sexual abuse and the coach certification complaints are primarily occurring at the club level. USA Swimming does not approve clubs and coaches. The 59 local swimming committees (LSC) do. The problem is at the LSC level. The LSCs may claim they are only implementing USA Swimming policy, and USA Swimming CEO Chuck Weilgus has stated in a letter regarding insurance that “The various Local Swimming Committees are administrative divisions of USA Swimming. They cannot act independently of USA Swimming’s stated objectives.” The legal status of USA Swimming and the LSC’s indicates this is not true. They are formed as separate corporations, in the corporation registrations and IRS tax returns.

USA Swimming and the LSCs represent their relationship differently to the public than to the IRS. The 59 people who sign those tax returns should be paying attention. The LSCs receive tax exempt status because they provide opportunities for youth, a charitable activity. In practice, they implement USA Swimming’s objective to ensure financially sound clubs, definitely not a charitable activity.

Swimming functions differently than other sports. Most young children are coached by a parent, rather than a professional coach. Many coaches get recruited from the sidelines when they bring their 5 year olds to the first day of soccer, basketball, or T-ball practice. Children may get introduced to sports in school or camp, but it is usually the parent who throws or hits 300 balls a day to their child. Membership in elite teams start once the child has achieved some relatively high performance level.

In swimming, parents must turn responsibility of their children over to a professional coach immediately. The LSC will not allow any competition opportunities until the child joins a club. Parents cannot coach their own children outside the approved club system. You cannot be approved to be a USA Swimming club unless you have indoor “water” and level 3 certification. Why, I asked? I wanted my children to compete from May to October and practice in my backyard or neighborhood pool. The answer is the LSCs need to ensure quality coaching. Not only was this an insult to me, but also none of the LSCs business. I agree to sign a waiver regarding quality. Then they admit the policy is to ensure club dues are paid. Follow the money.

What about sexual abuse? Until age 12 or 14, sports coaching is the responsibility of parents. Often this is done through a parent in the neighborhood. When parents bring their young children to lessons, they usually stay and watch. In swimming, parents are expected to hand responsibility and control to the coach. According to an article written by John Leonard and reposted a disturbing number of times, even family vacations need to a taken according to the coaches schedule, not the family’s schedule. It’s part of the culture. Surrender control to the coach. The system trains the parents to accept that coach’s authority, and ultimately the child

does also. Sexual abuse is more likely to happen when institutions pressure parents to accept the authority of those making demands of them or their children, whether those demands are from a coach or to the priest.

There are hundreds of thousands of private club, public, semi-public (neighborhood or HOA), backyard, and school pools in the United States. The majority children who swim in these pools cannot join USA Swimming and compete in swim meets. The business interests of USA Swimming, enforced and implemented by the LSCs, do not permit it. Participation is limited to those who pay club dues. Who’s to blame for the existing system? Whatever USA Swimming objectives are, it does little to implement them. The LSCs, as independent non-profit corporations, should defy USA Swimming and provide opportunities for youth, not clubs. If not, the IRS should revoke their preferential tax status.

Excerpt of a letter from USA Swimming to James Myers dated April 29, 2008

Circa 1948 All American swimmer, Jean Wilson, pretends she knows how to smoke for a Camel cigarettes commercial

Wow, goes to show you that every starving man or woman has a price and those rare few that don't, well, they can be leased. Note her breaststroke; it's half butterfly and breaststroke. This stroke is nothing short of a continuous rule change. I almost thing we should abolish it for the combat stroke or pull out a heft slab of Italian marble and chisel a final set of breaststroke rules into its face and at the bottom state no more rule changes allowed.

Open water 10k - we rocked a silver in the women's event

We are so catching up in open water!

From NBC Chicago:

Eva Risztov of Hungary has won the women's Olympic open water race at Hyde Park, holding off American Haley Anderson in a sprint to the finish. [...]

Martina Grimaldi of Italy took the bronze, disappointing a huge British crowd that lined the banks of The Serpentine. World champion Keri-Anne Payne was fourth, just missing the podium.

[Link]

"Smashed like flugel horns" the Germans take inventory!

Germany also did not win a gold medal in swimming and the finger pointing is taking place there like it is in both Great Britain and Australia. Many US athletes won more medals than all these countries combined and I have a theory as to why...

First, the Unites States we have a big talent pool, especially a female talent pool. (No pun intended) Next, our coaching is tremendously diverse in nature.

For instance Missy Franklin trained differently than Allison Schmitt. Michael Phelps trained differently than Ryan Lochte. I suspect; (read as guessing), that the training in Australia, Germany, and Great Britain is not as diverse as it could be and perhaps there is more of a "hive mind" or a set process when coaches show up on deck?

Though several breakout stars from China trained in Australia, I suspect their Australian coaches coached those athletes in an entirely differently way. (Please confirm or shoot down.)

From the Sun Daily

Ex-world champion Franziska van Almsick has said her country now needs a fresh start ahead of Rio de Janeiro in 2016.

"It is not only about the personnel," she said.

"It is a problem we have already had for a long time.

"Our swimmers aren't able to go flat out twice per day.

"In the past, one or two successes have hidden the real problem.

"It would be nice if now a new beginning is made. Changes must come, it is necessary for work to be done to lead the way over the next four years."

Alongside Steffen, Steffen Deibler also claimed a joint fourth place in the men's 100m butterfly final on Friday but it has been slim German pickings.

As the stars of the Germany team, Steffen, and boyfriend Paul Biedermann, the world 200m and 400m freestyle world record holder, have been big disappointments. 

[link]

NPR covering the Rick Curl Sex abuse case - Interviews the victim!

NPR is now covering USA Swimming sex abuse issues. I would have to say that the content therein may be deemed NC 17 or uncomfortable for some adults.

When you finish the article or listen to the story, ask yourself how this is any different that the Penn State sex abuse crime. Personally I think it's different. I think it's worse; more victims, more pedophiles.

From NPR: 

"[NPR]...MARTIN: Why did you decide to speak out now?

CURRAN: Well, it was an accumulation of things, really. You know, I have a daughter that is 12 and a half and what has gone on with the Penn State issue coming out, that has certainly played a part in this, but it really got kind of mixed up or stirred up for me and it was right after the 20/20 investigation. I think that was about two years ago.

You know, I was at my kids' Lacrosse game and I had - it was a Friday night and I had people from both sides of the country calling me and asking, are you watching this? And I said, no. And, of course, I went home and watched online the story and...

MARTIN:   An investigation of U.S.A. Swimming. Why were they asking you this? I mean, did they suspect that you had some connection to this story or is it just because they knew you were a swimmer?

CURRAN: Oh, no. They knew. They knew. I can not tell you the number of people that have come forward and said, you know, we're sorry. Not just in the last, you know, week, but over the last 20 years, I've had - or the last 10 years, I've had - through different social media outlets, I've had people come forward and say, you know, I feel horrible about this. I couldn't do anything. I didn't know what to do. And these were mostly, you know, teammates and, you know, peers. It wasn't - I have never received a message like that from a coach or anything, but they knew. ..." 

[Link]

NCAA Colleges - First we blame all the women when we cut the mens sports programs!

When the schools were forced to give Title IX athletic scholarships to women, they circled the wagons around football and basketball and so began a scorched earth policy to preserve those two money makers at all costs. 

To deflect the blame, they went after those "uppity women" who caused all the mayhem with this "Title IX nonsense" and men believed it.

The National Collegiate Athletic Association estimates that $2-billion is being gifted towards twenty-three NCAA athletic scholarships each year. A whopping 59.2% is going to football and basketball while the rest of the sports fight it out for the left over crumbs.

Here is a graphic analogy, imagine that you are at the dining room table at Thanksgiving and you are serving 23-guests for dinner. It is now time for desert but two of your guests have consumed nearly 60% of the pumpkin pie. They have now passed the knife over to you and have asked you to divide what's left into twenty-one-separate-slices. You do so but some of the remaining guests who happen to be swimmers protest over the meager portions. The two "gluttonous" guests turn beet-red and are summarily insulted. With their plushy, purple, cheeks and over sized tongues they bark, "perhaps next year we will tell the host not to invite you back so we can get more?"

It's my take that if a college or university is going to be allowed to profit than some of that profit should go back to the remaining 21 sports.

From the Wall Street Journal:

"... Even with such preparations, an athletic scholarship is, statistically, unlikely. For men, 59.2% of sports scholarships are given just to football and basketball players, according to Patrick O'Rourke, founder of the data website Scholarship Stats.

In 2010, a student who played high-school sports had a 6% chance of playing any college varsity sport, in any division, according to Scholarship Stats, which bases its numbers on U.S. Department of Education data. For Division I schools, chances were only 3.7%. ..." 

[Link]

You know what they say about big feet don't you? - Big feet, big shoes! FAST SWIMMER!

Missy Franklin has a bigger foot-size than most men. The alpha swimmer body comes in different shapes and sizes but the most common trait is a big feet, big hands, and a strong heart.

Some could argue that you have to be tall to be a great swimmer. Franklin is six-foot-one-inch tall but that only helps you in freestyle and backstroke. In the symmetrical strokes, butterfly and breast, height does not matter.  Taller swimmers have to carry more weight and shorter swimmers are pound-for-pound stronger hence it equals out.

From Chron.com:

The 17-year-old rising high school senior told NBC on Monday that her size 13 feet have been drawing attention from athletes around the Olympics. Host Michele Beadle joked that she’d put a stop to those having fun at the expense of Missy’s trotters, but Missy, in her typical bubbly demeanor, said she doesn’t mind. In fact, she’s proud of her big feet.
“I think it’s helped me so much,” she told "The Post Game" last year. “God has blessed me with an excellent swimmer’s body.”

[Link]

Ye Shiwen: "Can statistics explain her win?" - The BBC suggests so!

SCAQ swimmer Charlie sent us this. :-D

When the Olympics have come and gone and the US Presidential election is over, people will look back at the London Games as a glorious event that featured lots of remarkable races with all the drama happening on field of play rather than in the stands.

However, the only black mark that will be remembered won't be Mitt Romney questioning London's security but rather the crass statements made by John Leonard that sparked ill feelings toward China and US swimmers. Despite the IOC, FINA, the USOC, and USA Swimming releasing statements distancing themselves from John Leonard, the damage had been done and the US was embarrassed.

In retaliation, Chinese nationals suddenly began pointing fingers at Michael Phelps and Katie Ledecky calling each of them dopers - one of the accusers was even a doctor. Subsequently, sixteen-year-old Ledecky had to defend herself in a press conference post a gold medal finish and did Ye Shiwen. Both of them did not deserve that.

In closing, John Leonard made swimming look dirty and it appears he will suffer no consequence for it whatsoever.


BBC News takes a look at Yi Shewen:

The comparison with Lochte just isn't that telling. It's not the first time that Lochte has been slower than a woman over the last leg of that race. In Beijing in 2008 when he won bronze, he was slower than the Italian Alessia Fillipi - by more than half a second - and she only came fifth in her own race.

Lochte simply paced himself over the race very differently to Ye Shiwen. Dr Ross Tucker from the Sports Science Institute at the University of Cape Town warns against reading too much into the comparison with Lochte.

"Lochte didn't swim [the last leg] as fast as some of the other men in that same race. Ye's performance compared to the best men for that leg was maybe not that impressive," he says.

Tucker points out that Rebecca Adlington swam faster than both Lochte and Ye in the final leg of the 800m freestyle at the world championships last year.

[Link]

Now the British who were "smashed like ukuleles" will take inventory on what happened!

My opinion: build more pools and perhaps open the closed ones! throwing money at the infrastructure would be a better investment than asking bureaucrats to spend "free money" and at their own determination.

Here is a link to ten-abandoned-pools in Great Britain; [Link]

Great Britain gave their swimming establishment, British Swimming, $39-million to produce a great Olympic swimming team. [British pound to dollar conversion]. The Amateur Swimming Association (ASA) in great Britain has 175,000 members, more than half of the USA Swimming talent pool so they definitely had the talent to draw from but failed to deliver.

In fact, Missy Franklin, won more medals than Great Britain and most of hers were gold. Great Britain won 3-medals only and none of which were gold. But there are others on the US team that individually out scored Great Britain's medal tally: There was Michael Phelps, Ryan Lochte, Allison Schmitt and finally there was Dana Vollmer who matched Great Britain's medal count but all of hers were gold.

Great Britain did under deliver for their country and they really should examine why and make a national effort to step it up for Rio 2016.

From the Sports Mole:

"... The British team were set a target of five to seven medals but only won three, none of which was gold. "On swimming there is a lot of analysis needed. I know they are bitterly disappointed and they are going to have to look at it," said Moynihan. "They are going to really drill down into the whole preparation.

[Link]

WBAL: "...How Long Was Coach Rick Curl On USA Swimming's Radar as a Potential Sex Abuser?"

[UPDATE: The Chuck Wielgus deposition quoted below took place in 2010, not 2012. Why didn't USA Swimming look into this guy 2-years ago?]

Coach Rick Curl paid out and signed a civil settlement with a swimmer who he was coaching named Kelly Davies. She  accused Curl of sexually abusing her as a 13-year-old swimmer till she was 16-years-of-age. Chuck Wielgus testified that he had heard a rumor and such about this abuse. That he knew who the coach was yet never bothered to have him investigated.

WBAL posted an article questioning as to when did USA Swimming suspect there may have been a problem with Rick Curl?

From 1090 WBAL:

The agreement between Curl and the Davies-Currin family does not amount to an admission of guilt on Curl’s part; yet the attachment to the agreement contains graphic and detailed descriptions of Curl’s sexual involvement with Davies-Currin, accusations that Curl has never denied. The acts include performing sexual acts on Davies-Currin in her home, on the road at swim meets, and elsewhere while she was between the ages of 13 and 16. 

[...] 

After all, to put matters in perspective, in February, 2009, USA Swimming acted in extremely swift fashion when they suspended Michael Phelps for 90 days for taking a bong hit – something that was not even a technical violation of their policies. In sworn testimony during a deposition in 2010, USA Executive Director Chuck Wielgus states that he was at least aware of rumors involving Curl, the lauded coach:  

Question: Is there a file on Rick Curl? 

Wielgus: Not — not that I’m — not that I’m aware of. 

Question: Are you aware of any settlement that Rick Curl made with his alleged victim? 

Wielgus: I have — I have heard, just within the past three to four weeks, that there was some sort of a settlement between Rick Curl and a victim or a victim’s family. And that’s the first I heard of that. 

Question: Do you know why he moved to Australia? 

Wielgus: I don’t. 

Question: Do you know if he moved to avoid criminal prosecution? 

Wielgus: I’ll give you the same answer I gave to the last question. 

Question: Okay. And you said you learned in the last three to four weeks about some kind of settlement? 

Wielgus: I shouldn’t say I learned. I heard a rumor. I — I would equate learning as knowing for sure, as opposed to – 

Question: Heard a rumor? 

Wielgus: — hearing something. Right, heard a rumor. 

Question: Who did you hear the rumor from? 

Wielgus: That’s a good question. I don’t recall who I heard the rumor from, but it — I don’t recall who I heard the rumor from. I can’t say. 

Question: But the rumor was just to the extent that he paid — he paid a settlement himself, personally? Is that what the rumor was? 

Wielgus: No, no. I just — I — I think I heard it in the context of somebody saying that they had seen his name on a blog or something to that effect.

Even taking Wielgus at his word, that he only heard rumors about a “settlement” regarding Curl, it utterly defies belief that the Executive Director of USA Swimming wouldn’t have investigated further rumors of the worst nature about a coaching legend, a man responsible for gold medals representing the United States’ national swim team. Either Wielgus acted irresponsibly by not following up on the Curl matter or, more bluntly, there was a cover-up initiated - a lie of omission - to shield the organization from taking another blow to its reputation. 

[Link]

There was suppose to be an emergency hearing regarding Rick Curl once the Washington Post story broke. But the hearing did not take place. Instead Rick Curl said he would accept a provisional suspension and wait for a National Board of Review.

On face value one might think, "okay, he is suspended, no harm no foul" move on to the national board of review and not having the hearing. However, the code as specified in the Ted Stevens act states that you HAVE TO HAVE THE HEARING so the evidence can be put out there.

Background: The current rule governing matters which are sent on the Board of Review after investigation is codified in Section 405.3, which provides as follows:

DISPOSITION AFTER INVESTIGATION—after the initial investigation has been completed, the Executive Director may decide to initiate a complaint in the name of USA Swimming by filing the complaint with the Chair of the National Board of Review and requesting that a hearing on the complaint be conducted. The Executive Director may also seek an emergency hearing as set forth in 405.4. [See this USA Swimming PDF Link for exact 405.4 rule]  If the Executive Director does not decide to initiate a complaint in the name of USA Swimming, then the Executive Director may (1) cause further investigation to be conducted into the alleged violations (2) seek to mediate the complaint or (3) advise the complaining party that while USA Swimming will not initiate a complaint in its own name, the complaining party may still file his/her complaint directly with the Chair of the National Board of Review. If the complaining party chooses to go forward with the complaint, the Chair of the National Board of Review may then decide to either assign the matter for hearing or dismiss the complaint.

In this case the matter was set for hearing thus requiring publication of results within 21 days. The membership is entitled to the results and the evidence presented therein. There is no provision for Mr. Curl to call the shots, ask for and receive a delay in justice and then perhaps complain later that he was forced into agreeing to waive it at "gun point".

The losers in all of this, of course, are past and future victims of sexual abuse. History tragically has a way of repeating itself at USA Swimming. This is yet another example of why things will never change unless USA Swimming’s leaders who do this nonsense have been removed from office.

Australia doing a post mortem on those "smashed guitars" of theirs

Associated Press is brutal on Swimming Australia calling their outing at the Olympics a "debacle" and the phrase, "once proud," had to sting as well.

I would start with James Magnussen. Like Ryan Lochte, they both may have over promised but Ryan Lochte won more gold medals than Australia.

From Yahoo Sports: 

LONDON (AP) -- Swimming Australia will not ignore its Olympic debacle in the pool. The once-proud federation announced an independent review Monday of the team's performance at the Olympics - the first time Australia has failed to win an individual gold in the pool since the 1976 Montreal Games 

The review will be conducted by Bill Sweetenham, one of Australia's most experienced coaches, and two-time Olympic gold medalist Susie O'Neill. 

[Link]

At the bottom end of the article it mentions other nations that Australia that "whacked" by the United States besides Australia,

But are the Australians harder on themselves than Associated Press?

From ABC Radio Australia:

"... Sprinter James Magnussen, the world champion for 100m freestyle, bore the brunt of the criticism after boasting before the Games that he would win two golds.

But Magnussen had to settle for silver when he was beaten by American Nathan Adrian, by just 0.01 seconds, in the final.

The Australian 4x100 freestyle team, which also bragged it would win gold, missed out on the medals altogether when it finished fourth. ..." 

[link]

 C'mon, work as a team and get something done.

America stuns Britain after winning the 563-billion-meter Free!

I just realized the US always steals the spotlight from the UK - Imgur

Stole the headline from reddit and the image too

Missy Franklin projected to make $2-$5-million a year if she goes pro!

Jaw dropping performance with jaw dropping figures:

From the Denver Post: 

"... I'll be surprised if (the family) doesn't take a serious look at dropping amateurism," said A.J. Maestes, a sports marketing expert and president of Navigate Research in Chicago. "The next four years will be the most she'll ever make in her life. She's so young and is a potential medalist in (the 2016 Olympics in) Rio. She has four great years of exposure. 

"I honestly think she could make $2 million a year for four years. It's not crazy to think she'll get a four-, five- or six-year deal for $2 million a year." Added Robert Tuchman, president of Skylight Entertainment in New York, which specializes in marketing athletes, "She seems to be in the $1 million, $2 million range. (What) it comes down to at the end of the day (is) how good is her agent going out there and negotiating? There's no real comparison in the endorsement game. "Certain athletes get tons and others don't...." 

 [Link]

If any of Missy Franklin's entourage is reading, start at the top, avoid the usual swimmer agents. Go to CAA, in Beverly Hills. [Client List]

Title 9 Olympics? - Scott Blackburn the CEO of the United States Olympic Committee says "YES!"

I changed the SCAQ masthead to reflect the "pinking" of the Olympics. That is Rebecca Soni flying by. Note, she goes to USA. They make great doctors there.

Imagine that you are an amateur swimmer and you are so good that you set 18 world records during your career, won two gold medals in the 400 IM and 4x100 relay, but no college would grant you a scholarship?

Meet Donna DeVarona, the first female sports broadcaster and one of the inspirations in getting Title IX passed through congress. As a result, the 2012 Games are being called the Title IX Games.

From Wikipedia:
Defining Title 9: "... is a portion of the Education Amendments of 1972, [...] No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance... 

Consequences: "... many contend that the current interpretation of Title IX by the [Office for civil rights OCR] has resulted in the dismantling of men's programs, despite strong participation in those sports. For example, though interest in the sport of wrestling has consistently increased at the high school level since 1990, scores of colleges have dropped their wrestling programs during that same period. The OCR's three-prong test for compliance with Title IX often is cited as the reason for these cuts. Wrestling historically was the most frequently dropped sport, but other men's sports later overtook the lead, such that according to the NCAA, the most-dropped men's sports between 1987 and 2002 were as follows: Cross country (183), indoor track (180), golf (178), tennis (171), rowing (132), outdoor track (126), swimming (125) and wrestling (121). 

[Link]

Scott Blackburn on the Title IX Olympics:

" ...said Title IX has played a significant role in the success of American teams at the Olympics. It gave U.S. women more opportunities in sports before other nations did the same, laying a foundation that has yielded a trove of Olympic medals...." 

[Link]

There are more women on the US Olympic team than men according to USA Today:

"...For Team USA this summer in London, it will be the Title IX Olympics. For the first time in U.S. Olympic history, there will be more female athletes competing than men. The 530-member team is comprised of 269 women and 261 men, the U.S. Olympic Committee announced Tuesday.

"...It speaks to Title IX," Teresa Edwards, the U.S. Olympic team chef de mission and five-time medalist in basketball, told USA TODAY Sports. "It's evident where we've come from especially with women in sports. I'm very proud of that — not so proud that I want to make the men jealous because a lot of men play a role in where we are now — but I'm proud to know that we've come this far. ..."

[Link]

It's my belief that the products of Title IX with their competitive spirit and refined education will begin to break the "glass ceilings" and a few will start ther own businesses and compete at the entrepreneurial level rather than doing the wage slave thing. To inject my opinion further: I would prefer that women bypass the corporate world and go straight into a business of their own making.

But every solution creates a new problem...

The United states is a place where immediate profits determine success. Title IX has been a success for women but the way it has been implemented by the men in power at the college level has hurt young men in "lesser sports."

I have seen several editorials bemoaning the oppression of Title IX cuts to mens programs but the people writing these editorials always blamed the law rather than those implementing the law. The people in charge of cutting the least profitable sports programs are primarily men doing whatever it takes to ensure that football and basketball can still remain the athletic focal point. The top college football teams make an average of $83-million a year but they still want more. See Forbes Magazine: [Link]

I was told by two individuals that football is allowed 85 scholarships despite that only 11-players can take the field. Now, when you divide 11-into-85 that is nearly eight-teams worth of players. (I hear swimming only gets 9 scholarships). So, as a result of the inequity of Title IX implementation , women have flourished while male swimmers, runners, wrestlers, rowers have suffered.

To be more succinct,  the men running these non-profit colleges in a for profit way have cut the programs mentioned above and have blamed Title IX and/or "feminism" as the "assassins"of these programs so as to divide us and let a nameless group take the blame.

I congratulate all the girls on our US Olympic team and I hope these girls not only move on to even more meaningful stations in life but that they too encourage colleges and universities to keep the allocation fair and not be blamed when it is not.

Michael Phelps has a girlfriend and "E!" reveals who it is.

Yeah, it really sucks being Michael Phelps! - They must be serious, he actually shaved! ;-)

From "E!" 

A source confirms to E! News that Phelps is dating model Megan Rossee, a 25-year-old from Los Angeles. 

 [Link]

Missy Franklin interviewed on NBCs "Today"

Missy Franklin is quite articulate and speaks with few clichés or with "slangluage." When asked if she was going pro she said that staying amateur is still the plan for she really wants to swim in college. However, her parents and coach would sit down with her and recommend what they think is best.

Wat would you suggest?

I am impressed with how quickly she can  articulate her feelings while exuding what seemingly feels like an endless supply of enthusiasm and warm feelings. I think she will be a national treasure for this sport and a goldmine if she turns pro. If she can maintain her winning edge, I see swimming's version of Maria Sharapova but only with more more warmth.

London Games 2012: 9-world records set in swimming and they are still using the phrase "textile best" - Knock it off and bring back the suits!

From the Washington Post:

"...On Day 1 of the London Games, 16-year-old Ye Shiwen of China improved the world record in the women’s 400 IM by more than a second. While that swim sparked rampant speculation of doping, more records followed, from a variety of nations.

Cameron van der Burgh of South Africa lowered the mark in the 100 breaststroke, Dana Vollmer of the United States did it in the 100 butterfly and Daniel Gyurta of Hungary established a new mark in the 200 breaststroke.

Rebecca Soni, another American, set records in both the semifinals and final of the 200 breast and teammate Missy Franklin got one in the 200 backstroke. On the final night of competition Saturday, Sun broke his own mark in the 1,500 freestyle and the American women won the medley relay in world record time. ..."

[Link]

FINA is considering a male version of the open-back womens' suit. I would prefer leggings since they are more masculine than an open back. However, the best people to ask in my opinion are the young males in the sport since it was the "speedo brief" or "banana hammock" as Ryan Lochte calls it that possibly made them avoid the sport. Perhaps a suit of "their design" would bring them back in. We are experiencing a male deficit now in USA Swimming.

World of Records | GE Data Visualization

World of Records | GE Data Visualization

Go to the link above and see a dynamic visualization of swimming world records set throughout the decades.

The coolest commercial of the Olympics was created and actually aired in ten hours!

AT&T TV Commercial Rethink Possible with Rebecca Soni is the best one of the bunch.

Washington Post - Michael Phelps historical timeline from beginning to end

It all started with a bang in 2000 when he placed 5th in the 200-fly at the Sydney games. Then it got better after that...

Jumping to 2012 in the time line at the Washington Post:

2012 — Claims four gold medals and two silvers at the London Olympics, which he says will be his final swim meet. Phelps retires with myriad Olympic records, including twice as many golds as anyone else (18) and 22 medals overall, four more than anyone else in any sport. 

[Link]

Australia who? - Smashed like guitars 'Swimming Australia' needs to reflect on what went wrong and how to fix it!

I woke up and asked myself: "Did Australia win any gold medals this Olympics?" Sadly the answer is a quiet, noooooo!

Why is it that an Australian coach can bring forth a swimmer like Ye Shewin among others but fellow coaches nearby and a plethora of swim talent therein failed to deliver Australia with a gold medal?

I suspect it is some sort of sociology issue. Perhaps the team was overconfident since they looked so good on paper? Perhaps they lacked 'esprit de corps'? Perhaps they did work hard enough?

It seems that those athletes both in America and Australia who were somewhat boastful about their comments  delivered less than what was expected.

From the Sydney Morning Herald:

Former coach Don Talbot has sent a missile of his own at Nugent, suggesting he toughen up and may be treading too gently with our swimmers, a number of whom have lost control of their emotions this week as result upon result fell against the Australian squad.

Nugent said any suggestion the swimming program lacked discipline was nonsense and he wasn't going to change his approach. Nugent was in charge as Australia won seven gold medals in Athens. In that Games, he had Jodie Henry, Grant Hackett and Ian Thorpe up his sleeve. This time all the out-and-out superstars swim for rival nations.

"I'm Leigh Nugent. That's who I am and I'll keep operating that way. Nice guys can make tough decisions. In this capacity, it's about doing the job. I don't really see what nice guy or tough guy has got to do with it," Nugent said.

[Link]

The second act of Michelle Kwan post her Olympic career!

Every Olympian needs a second act in life once their athletic career is has run its course. Some go on to mentor, to explore, to become something else.

Michelle Kwan went to graduate school and got a seat at the table in Washington. Though Michelle Kwan is not a swimmer, I think there is something to learn from her for those swimmers moving on to something else.

Katy Ledecky rudely challenged in a press conference with doping questions! - Thank you John Leonard!

Katy Ledecky stormed the 800m-free nearly breaking Rebecca Adlington's 800m free record but within minutes the Katy Ledecky Wikipedia entry was overtly vandalized suggesting doping. Of course all this happens on the heels of John Leonard's doping accusations of Chinese swimmer, Ye Shiwen, and now Katy Ledecky is under attack and accused of swimming dirty.

To repeat, John Leonard, with his rhetorical accusations of Chinese doping has gravely crushed any belief now that swimmers are capable of jaw-dropping performances. Ye Shiwen is CLEAN! - So is  Katy Ledecky but now both have had their wonderful swims questioned and degraded.

These are 15-and-16-year-old girls who are under a "viral attack" and despite the governing bodies trying to "inoculate" the masses with a "truth vaccine" the damage continues.

From EuroNews.com:

Earlier this week, an American coach, not involved with the team or U.S. Swimming, [read as John Leonard], accused China’s Ye Shiwen of doping when she won the 400 individual medley gold medal, saying her rapid improve, which was less dramatic than Ledecky’s, was a sign she cheated. 

Ye denied any wrongdoing and swimming’s world governing body [FINA] backed her, saying she passed all her drug tests. The Chinese said their accusers were racist and would never point the finger at their own. [Read as Katy Ledecky or Michael Phelps] 

Then along came Ledecky. Within moments of her win, Ledecky’s Wikipedia entry had been vandalised. At her post-race conference, the inevitable inquisition began. “It’s totally false,” she replied when asked if she had doped. “I just put in a lot of hard work, this last year and that’s all that it’s been. It’s that simple.” 

[Link]

One would think that John Leonard would apologize or recant these insults after what all his words  have wrought. Instead, he is standing behind his rhetorical allegations which is not making it any easier for this sport to look as honest as it is.

Above is a photo of a 13-year-old Dara Torres. Hopefully, Ye Shiwen, and, Katy Ledecky, have a swimming career that is just as long and equally as successful.

Lochte's press spinning out of control: One night stands, peeing in the London pool etc. etc.

The L.A. Times is suggesting that Ryan Lochte may be swimming's new "bad boy!" - What a shame too because in the real world friends I know that have met him, interviewed him, have work with him have told me what a kind man he is and what a big heart he has.

Ryan Lochte might be edging toward the role of swimming's bad boy. Lochte proclaimed these Olympics "my time" for months in advance, then won two gold medals in six events. He swam his last event on Thursday night and promptly embarked on a media blitz, including appearances on NBC, CNN, CNBC, MSNBC, Eurosport, E! and Access Hollywood.

He also did a radio interview with Ryan Seacrest, in which he confessed that he urinated in the warm-up pool at the Olympics. TMZ picked up the story and blasted it across the Web within an hour.

[Link]

They mention that he will be moving to L.A. too. I think it will be a nice career fit for him.

The breaststroke is the most scandalous of all the strokes and it's becoming a farce to police!

Cameron van der Burgh golfinhou na saída from Julian Romero on Vimeo.

Cameron van der Burgh busted a couple of dolphin kicks off the start in his breaststroke event; about three even. Swim News noted in too many words that doing so off the start is a gray area at worst and that Van der Burgh defines it as "pushing boundaries."

This stroke has gone through so many rule changes that just about any world record set in the stroke should have an asterisk next to it explaining the rule change advantages that each swimmer had when the record was set.

I suspect FINA will either clarify the dolphin kick rule further or just let what Van der Burgh did become a de facto part of the breaststroke package. A once simple stroke is becoming the most complicated.

LA Galaxy Forward last night said this: "He’s a stud. He’s a champion, he’s the greatest ever..."

Guess who he was talking about?

Our soccer team, the L.A. Galaxy, and even their opponents, Real Madrid, had some amazing things to say about Michael Phelps' farewell tour:

Real Madrid defender, Alvaro Arbeloa said this:

"We are watching Phelps winning a gold medal, so congratulations for him, I think he’s fantastic."

Galaxy forward Landon Donovan had this to say about the world's most decorated swimmer:

"He’s a stud. He’s a champion, he’s the greatest ever," Donovan said Wednesday. "With all that we hear about and read about him, the guy can still do it and it’s impressive to see him as an athlete." 

[Link]

Oh, the stylized play of the "Euros" spanked the pants off our street ball style of  play with a score of 5-to1.

Tyler Clary - A hard working man who never gave up!

Tyler wins the gold in the 200-back, against the odds, against the best.

He was flamed for stating Phelps didn't work hard but still could pull off great swims. The press and the fans really began to point fingers at him when he finally posed a question: imagine what he could do if he did work harder?

Well, Tyler demonstrated what he himself could do if he worked harder.

Well done, Tyler.

Chicago Tribune - The word "Phelpsian" is now in our lexicon!

The article is well written but portrays the personalities therein somewhat inaccurately. Phelps is called "humble" whereas Lochte is called "Hollywood." Don't take it personally if you have invested yourself in one or the other. The writer is obviously judging these two from their "onstage personas" rather than their "real life" ones. That is to say Ryan Lochte with his $25k "grills" and Michael Phelps with is boyish smile and oversized DJ headphones.

What I liked best about the article is that author acknowledges a new word that describes the human condition when forced to confront adversity...

From the Chicago Tribune:

"... Before America moves on and stops paying attention to swimming for another four years, consider the magic that happened inside the Aquatics Centre. I heard the term "Phelpsian" used to describe the effort of the most accomplished Olympian ever. In the sports thesaurus, "Jordanesque" is a synonym.

[...] 

This was Phelps, on the brink of retirement, using sheer will to increase his medal total to 20 and enhance his legacy by becoming the first man to win an individual event in three straight Olympics.

This was a proud champion refusing to go out anywhere but on top, humble beating Hollywood. ..."
[Link]

Ryan Lochte is a great champion but why is it that the author brands him as an athlete that seemingly under delivered? One gold medal means you are the greatest of the games in that event. Two means you are a national treasure. Three means you are of historical interest and finally, any more than four becomes, "Phelpsian."

Not only did he change the sport he changed the sports dictionary.

John Leonard flamed by 98% of Guardian readers!

John Leonard's rhetorical doping questions about Ye Shiwen have become a bigger topic this Olympics than Mitt Romney telling Great Britain that their games are "really unorganized!" (They are very organized as far as most of America is concerned.)

Example: 98% of 'The Guardian' Readers agreed that John Leonard should apologize!)

 From xinhuanet.com: 

"... BEIJING, August 2 (Xinhuanet) – In a survey by the Guardian, 98 percent of netizens agreed that American coach John Leonard should apologize to Ye Shiwen for his irresponsible comments on her performance. John Leonard hinted that Ye Shiwen improved her performance by taking drugs. ..." 

[Link]

Former Google China head Kaifu Lee posts John Leonard's home address and contact info on Twitter!

Boy, did Leonard really step in it. A reader sent me this one.

From The Next Web Asia:

"... The Olympic brouhaha surrounding Chinese swimming sensation Ye Shiwen just ratcheted up several notches. Chinese Web celebrity and former Google China head Kaifu Lee temporarily posted on his much-followed microblog account the personal information of John Leonard, the Team USA swimming coach who had questioned the legitimacy of Ye’s record-breaking performance.   ..."

[Link]

Right now everything that is "John Leonard" is on the radar. Page views to my scuffle with John Leonard here at the blog are unusually high. I think it is high time that Leonard apologizes before his reputation becomes more infamous.

This just in, Leonard won't step down or apologize and he has even stepped up his comments. He gave these comments to Yahoo Sports in an interview:

"If people don't speak out when they see something suspicious, the public is going to think nonsensical splits were real," Leonard said. "Then doping is going to have free reign for anything we don't know about right now. ..." 

[Link]

How about that last sentence? Then it gets worse. Go read the article and face palm.

John Leonard spanked - FINA issues statement in support of Ye Shiwen!

Two people are the instigators of this Olympic Swimming smear but John Leonard was the one who really shot his mouth off to The Guardian. Consequently, people actually paid attention to him because of his "swanky title" and/or his leadership connection to the World Swimming Coaches Association. (His titles are seemingly multiple choice when you look at his corporate filings.)

From Swimming World:

Following recent comments reported in the media, FINA would like to clearly state that there is no factual basis to support this kind of insinuations related to the performances of the Chinese swimmer, Shiwen Ye.

This athlete has fulfilled all of the FINA Doping Control obligations, having been tested on four occasions in the last twelve months, including twice before the Chinese Olympic Trials in 2012.

FINA is a leading International Federation in the fight against doping and its policy aims at ensuring a drug-free sport in all of its aquatic disciplines.

[Link]

In America we have low voter turnouts even though we are an established Republic and were once were the envy of the world. Unfortunately we have these low voter turnouts because our politicians run such negative ads against one another that voters, in abject disgust, want nothing to do with either candidate. Hence Americans just don't vote. See what I am leading up to?

When John Leonard called out Le Shiwen with his overwrought rhetorical questions to a Guardian reporter, it was as if he was telling the public at large that "swimming is dirty" and that any spectacular swim you see cannot be trusted and should always be questioned.

I viewed this international slam as if a "filthy animal got into the house of swimming" and now both FINA and USA Swimming had to do something to get it out.

(The "filthy animal..." quote is an homage to Gore Vidal who lived about dozen miles from my house. He used it to describe Truman Capote who he despised. May he rest in peace and be remembered.)

Coach Rick Curl actually games the USA Swimming process and is now only provisionally suspended rather than banned for life!

I might end up in court over this leak - I believe the Washington Post is going to do a more thorough story on it soon enough: Coach Rick Curl was on the fast track for an emergency USA Swimming hearing on whether to ban him for life once it became known that he had repeatedly sexually abused a 13-year-old swimmer whom he was coaching. USA Swimming has the documents validating this according to reports.

Suddenly, Rick Curl says that he will waive "his right" for an emergency hearing and would accept a provisional suspension till a National Board of Review can be held in September.

So why is it that USA Swimming is allowing, Rick Curl, who signed his name to a civil document; (according to the Washington Post), and who has admitted in that civil document therein to having an inappropriate relationship with a girl who was barely into puberty allowed to remain a suspended USA Swimming Coach? Why not just validate the agreement was endorsed by the court and throw him out? Why does he get to postponed or delete an emergency hearing off the calender just by saying "suspend me"?

PLEASE SEE ANONYMOUS REBUTTAL COMMENT IN THE COMMENTS SECTION

Visa congratulates Michael Phelps in style

How cool it must be to be congratulated by Morgan Freeman on international TV and by a "ba-jillion-dollar" company too that has certainly made my life easier as well!

He deserves all the success he has received. There were no free rides nor lucky races either and I think it is very classy that Visa put this together.

Justin Bieber tweets that he is a fan of Missy Franklin

Justin Bieber tweeted:

"heard @FranklinMissy is a fan of mine. now im a fan of hers too. CONGRATS on winning GOLD!#muchlove"

I actually hate Twitter but it's great for journalists and pop stars.

As sugary as Missy Franklin is, I believe she is a huge shot in the arm for USA Swimming, but more importantly, a refreshing contrast to the "police blotter" section of the sports page whereas millionaire athletes are listing daily for acting like thugs.

Matchbook - A site that matched swimwear to famous book covers!

The first sentence in the Agatha Christie novel, And Then There Were None, reads as follows:

“In the corner of the first class smoking carriage, Mr. Justice Wargrave, lately retired from the bench, puffed at a cigar and ran an interested eye through the political news in The Times. ...” 

[Link]

The swimsuit selection they have chosen matches their novel collection astonishingly well. You would think that models were hired talent to wear custom made swimwear so as to draw publicity at a literary trade show.