tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31883810875479846942011-11-27T16:22:00.646-08:00Swim Like Michael PhelpsJan Silanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08101505002421999429noreply@blogger.comBlogger881100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188381087547984694.post-49502724886010958102009-12-13T21:41:00.000-08:002009-12-13T21:41:09.374-08:00Michael Phelps Up For The Challenge After Easing Through<div class="KonaBody" id="storyBody" isroot="true" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span class="adbriteinline" lastvisited="0" roundtrip="0">Michael Phelps qualified second in the 200 meters butterfly heats at the world championships on Tuesday, conserving his energy for one of the biggest challenges of his career. </span> <div lastvisited="1" roundtrip="0">The American, who won a record eight gold medals at last year's Beijing Olympics, eased into the semi-finals later in a time of 1 minute 54.35.<br /></div><div lastvisited="0" roundtrip="0">Poland's Pawel Korzeniowski was quickest in the heats but Phelps was unperturbed as he gears up for a battle with Germany's Paul Biedermann in the 200 freestyle final, also in Tuesday's late session.<br /></div><div lastvisited="0" roundtrip="0">Biedermann broke Ian Thorpe's long-standing world record to take gold in the 400 freestyle Sunday.<br /></div><div lastvisited="0" roundtrip="0">"He is swimming really well. He is probably having the best meet so far so being able to race him head-to-head, it's going to be fun tonight," Phelps told reporters.<br /></div><div lastvisited="0" roundtrip="0">"I never back down from challenges, I love challenges."<br /></div><div lastvisited="0" roundtrip="0">Biedermann has made staggering progress in the last year following the introduction of modern non-textile suits, which are due to be banned from 2010 after prompting a raft of world records and hitting swimming's credibility.<br /></div><div lastvisited="0" roundtrip="0">Phelps, back from a six month layoff that included a three-month ban for being photographed inhaling from a pipe used for smoking marijuana, won his heat in the 200 butterfly.<br /></div><div lastvisited="0" roundtrip="0">"I just wanted to win my heat, that's all I wanted to do this morning. The biggest thing about that event is just getting into the finals," said the 24-year-old, who has already picked up one gold in Rome in the U.S. 4x100 freestyle relay team. After 11 world records in the first two days at the venue for the 1960 Rome Olympics, Tuesday's heats were more subdued with crowd favorite Federica Pellegrini only qualifying sixth for the 200 freestyle semi later.<br /></div><div lastvisited="0" roundtrip="0">The Olympic 200 champion smashed the 400 world record to win gold Sunday.<br /></div><div lastvisited="0" roundtrip="0">South Africa's Cameron van der Burgh did break the championship record in the 50 breaststroke heats, clocking 26.92 seconds before a sparse crowd at the open-air pool.<br /></div><div lastvisited="0" roundtrip="0">Tunisia's 1,500 Olympic champion Oussama Mellouli was fastest in the men's 800 freestyle heats. (Additional reporting by Ian Simpson; Editing by Nigel Hunt)<br /></div><div lastvisited="0" roundtrip="0"><br /></div><div lastvisited="0" roundtrip="0"><a href="http://www.postchronicle.com/cgi-bin/artman/exec/view.cgi?archive=152&num=247194">Source</a> <br /></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3188381087547984694-4950272488601095810?l=swimlikemichaelphelps.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Jan Silanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08101505002421999429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188381087547984694.post-17441847871506827702009-12-13T21:39:00.001-08:002009-12-13T21:39:39.351-08:00With World Records Falling, No Leeway for Phelps<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">ROME — <a href="http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/people/p/michael_phelps/index.html?inline=nyt-per" title="More articles about Michael Phelps.">Michael Phelps</a> was answering a question Monday night when the roar of the crowd at the <a href="http://images.google.com/images?hl=en&rlz=1T4GGLD_enUS310US310&q=Foro+Italico&um=1&ie=UTF-8&ei=eTluSsmOGoKCtgfs_omJDA&sa=X&oi=image_result_group&ct=title&resnum=4" title="Photos of the Foro Italico.">Foro Italico</a> drowned out his voice. Phelps turned to the television screen that was showing the second semifinal of the men’s 200-meter freestyle at the world championships and a cloud scudded across his face. His expression darkened. <br /></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Paul Biedermann, the German who broke the world record held by <a href="http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/people/t/ian_thorpe/index.html?inline=nyt-per" title="More articles about Ian Thorpe">Ian Thorpe</a> in the 400 freestyle on Sunday, had eclipsed Phelps’s two-year-old meet record in the 200, with a time of 1 minute 43.65 seconds. Biedermann and the second-place finisher, Danila Izotov of Russia, each swam faster than Phelps had in the first heat, which he won in 1:45.23. <br /></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">“What’d he go?” Phelps asked.<br /></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">A German reporter relayed Biedermann’s time. <br /></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">“A 1:43?” Phelps asked. <br /></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">His jaw tightened. In the <a href="http://results.beijing2008.cn/WRM/ENG/INF/SW/C73A1/SWM012101.shtml#SWM012101" title="Results of the race.">200 freestyle final at the Beijing Olympics</a> last year, Phelps lowered his world record to 1:42.96; Biedermann finished fifth in 1:46.00. “He’s dropped a lot of time,” Phelps said edgily. “He’s having a good meet, a good year. Tomorrow’s going to be a good race.” <br /></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">With that, Phelps left, but this question lingered: Could Phelps lose in Tuesday’s final? <br /></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">“Yeah,” his coach, Bob Bowman, said. “He could always lose. I’ve seen Michael lose.”<br /></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Not on this stage, and certainly not since 2007. But the first two days of this competition have proved that no world record is safe, nor is any world record-holder. <br /></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">“If Michael’s at his best, he’ll probably win,” Bowman said. “But he has to be at his best. There’s no leeway.” <br /></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Phelps, 24, is a 14-time Olympic champion and the successor to <a href="http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/people/s/mark_spitz/index.html?inline=nyt-per" title="More articles about Mark Spitz.">Mark Spitz</a>. But he is wearing Speedo’s LZR Racer, which some people say is the swimming equivalent of a jockey racing with extra weight.<br /></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Since it was introduced last year, the suit has been superseded by the rubberized models of other manufacturers like Arena, which sponsors Biedermann. These polyurethane suits have the power of Superman’s cape, giving those who wear them the confidence to soar.<br /></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">“If we walk out there tomorrow with Biedermann in a brief and Michael in a brief, what do you think is going to happen?” Bowman said. He shrugged. “We don’t know. Maybe Biedermann will beat him. But a year ago, he wouldn’t have, right?”<br /></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">A year ago, it would have been hard to imagine the American Aaron Peirsol failing to advance to the final in the 100 backstroke, an event in which he has held the world record for all but one week since 2004. <br /></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Peirsol, who became the first to swim the event in <a href="http://www.examiner.com/x-2490-Endurance-Sports-Examiner%7Ey2009m7d10-Video-Aaron-Peirsol-sets-new-world-record-in-100-meter-backstroke-and-first-ever-to-go-under-52-sec" title="About the record, with video.">under 52 seconds</a> this month at the United States championships, finished fourth in his semifinal in 53.22. <br /></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">“It’s my own fault,” Peirsol said, adding, “I completely misjudged my race. I just completely thought I was in a place that I wasn’t in.” <br /></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Stephanie Rice of Australia could be forgiven for wondering if she missed the pool on her dive and instead found Alice’s rabbit hole. Rice put together a marvelous swim in the final of the 200 individual medley, bettering her winning time from Beijing by more than a second. But she was soundly beaten by Ariana Kukors of the United States, who was not on the 2008 Olympic team. <br /></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Kukors’s win in 2:06.15 improved on her day-old world record of 2:07.03, which had bettered Rice’s year-old mark of 2:08.45. That is 11 world records in 16 events.<br /></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Four others were broken Monday: Sarah Sjostrom of Sweden in the final of the 100 butterfly (56.06), the American Rebecca Soni in the semifinals of the 100 breaststroke (1:04.84), Anastasia Zueva of Russia in the semifinals of the 100 backstroke (58.48) and Brenton Rickard of Australia in the final of the men’s 100 breaststroke (58.58). <br /></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">How topsy-turvy are the times? Hugues Duboscq of France swam the 100 breast faster than the record that Rickard surpassed in finishing second. Dana Vollmer lowered the United States record in the 100 butterfly with a 56.94, becoming the first American woman under 57 seconds, and tied for fifth. Sjostrom, who did not break 59 seconds in Beijing, nearly broke 56 seconds here, coming from seventh at the turn to win. <br /></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Kukors did not even qualify to swim the 200 I.M. here, placing third at the United States nationals three weeks ago in Indianapolis. <br /></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">She was entered only because Elizabeth Pelton, the runner-up at nationals, bowed out of the event because the final was the same day as the heats and semifinals of the 100 backstroke (Pelton placed 13th in the semifinals). <br /></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">“Liz gave me the opportunity, and I made the most of it,” Kukors said. <br /></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">She had been laid low by the flu in the weeks leading to the nationals, at one point becoming severely dehydrated, so she expected to swim faster here. But four seconds faster than her best time? Actually, yes.<br /></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">“The goal all year was 2:06,” said Kukors’s coach, Sean Hutchison. “We split it out and said, O.K., you can do it.” <br /></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Before the meet is through, Kukors hopes to repay the debt she owes Pelton. “She told me she was going to take me out to dinner,” Pelton said. <br /></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Where will they go? “I don’t really care,” she said, “as long as I get gelato at the end.”<br /></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/28/sports/global/28phelps.html">Source </a><br /></div><nyt_update_bottom style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></nyt_update_bottom><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3188381087547984694-1744184787150682770?l=swimlikemichaelphelps.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Jan Silanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08101505002421999429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188381087547984694.post-54235317907917565062009-12-13T21:38:00.000-08:002009-12-13T21:38:47.795-08:00Phelps Is Feeling Heat From All Around<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">ROME, July 27 -- With another unfathomable number of world records -- five Monday night -- falling at the swimming world championships, and surprises lurking in every heat, it was easy to be distracted from one of the most engrossing story lines here, one not to be missed: Michael Phelps is under assault. <br /></div><div id="body_after_content_column" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> The man at the sport's epicenter is feeling the heat from fast-charging men in superfast speedsuits, even in individual events he is accustomed to dominating. A day after Phelps claimed his first gold medal here despite swimming an unsensational leg in the 400-meter freestyle relay, and moments after winning his 200 freestyle semifinal heat Monday night, Phelps was giving an interview when he heard the meet announcer bellow, "championships record!" <br />He spun toward a nearby television screen. <br />Phelps, who is seeking six gold medals here, turned just in time to see German Paul Biedermann celebrating the 200 freestyle championship record he had just broken -- a record Phelps had previously held -- in the other semifinal heat. <br />"What did he go?" Phelps, officially distracted, asked eagerly. "He go 1:43?" <br />The answer was 1 minute 43.65 seconds, or .21 of a second faster than Phelps's 2007 record and 1.58 better than Phelps had swum in his heat. <br />"He just dropped a lot of time," Phelps volunteered, almost talking to himself. "You usually don't see a six-second drop in the 400 free in a year. In the 200 free, he dropped about three seconds in a year. . . . It will get me more excited, more ready for tomorrow. I'm going to have to, I guess, really prepare myself." <br />He probably is guessing right. No one thought Biedermann would break Ian Thorpe's seven-year-old record in the 400 free Sunday night, and he did that. Who knows what Biedermann has in store for the 200 free in his Arena X-Glide speedsuit? <br />And it's not just the 200 free in which Phelps will have his hands full. Serbian Milorad Cavic made it clear he has been gunning for Phelps since the Olympics last year in Beijing when Phelps out-touched him at the wall to win the 100 butterfly . <br /><div id="inline-ad" style="float: left; margin-bottom: 4px; padding-right: 10px;"> <script language="javascript"><!--if ( show_doubleclick_ad && ( adTemplate & INLINE_ARTICLE_AD ) == INLINE_ARTICLE_AD && inlineAdGraf ){document.write('</div>') ;}// --></script> </div>After winning the 50 fly final Monday in a championship-record 22.67, Cavic told reporters he would be thrilled to win the 100 fly this week, even if he were wearing a technologically more advanced suit than Phelps, who because of his Speedo contract is still wearing the LZR, a 2008-model suit that many consider outmoded. <br />Cavic charged that technology had cost him last year's Olympic gold; he alleged he lost the medal on a timing error, saying he didn't press hard enough on the touch pad with his initial touch. <br />"That," he said, "is the story." <br />Added Cavic, "Because of what happened, I did return to swimming with a desire I probably would not have had if I had won the Olympic gold." <br /><div id="body_after_content_column"> The 100 fly final takes place Saturday. <br />Phelps's coach, Bob Bowman, said Phelps should win the 200 free Tuesday. Maybe. <br />"He has to be at his best," Bowman said. "There is no leeway." <br />And problematic for Phelps: He isn't feeling so great about his freestyle stroke these days. On Monday morning, he announced that he was ditching the "straight-armed" stroke that he experimented with in sprint races this summer, saying "we tried something and it didn't work." The straight-armed approach was supposed to provide more power over short distances, but Phelps never got comfortable with it. <br />In the relay Sunday, Bowman said, Phelps seemed to be doing a cross between his old freestyle and the new one. His leg was slower than he swam last year in Beijing. <br />Phelps added that his freestyle stroke "was kind of off," perhaps because of his attempts to manage both. <br />At least Phelps has time to get himself ready for his final five events, the 100 and 200 fly and the 200 free, along with two more relays. <br />Bowman, Phelps's longtime coach, seemed privately satisfied that Biedermann had pushed his emotional star's buttons with his out-of-the-blue performances. Last year his time in the 200 free, 3:47.69, ranked 21st in the world. His time in the 200, 1:46.00, was ninth best. Phelps and Bowman discussed their joint shock Sunday at Biedermann's world-record swim, and the sad fact that the legendary Thorpe had been, finally, wiped from the record books. <br />"I think some people are going to bring the heat tomorrow night," Bowman said. One of them, he said, "is M.P." <br /><a href="http://draft.blogger.com/goog_1260768945836"><br /></a><br /><a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/07/27/AR2009072702763_2.html">Source</a><br /></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3188381087547984694-5423531790791756506?l=swimlikemichaelphelps.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Jan Silanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08101505002421999429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188381087547984694.post-30190727411977736352009-12-13T21:35:00.002-08:002009-12-13T21:35:47.448-08:00Vick cleared to return to NFL...Speed at the pool...Nash to finish...<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">NEW YORK (AP) Michael Vick has been conditionally reinstated by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell. Vick can participate without delay in preseason practices, workouts and meetings and can play in the final two preseason games if he can find a team that will sign him.<br /><br />ROME (AP) Ariana Kukors of the USA closed out another speedy night at the pool by breaking her 24-hour-old world record in the 200-meter individual medley. Five more world records were set on Day 2 of the world championships, the last with high-tech bodysuits.<br /><br />ROME (AP) Michael Phelps has advanced to the final of his first individual event at the world swimming championships, but he may have tough competition in the 200-meter freestyle. Phelps was the third-fastest qualifier in the preliminaries.<br /><br />PHOENIX (AP) Steve Nash says it will be a pleasure to finish his career as a member of the Phoenix Suns. The 35-year-old veteran has agreed to a two-year, $22 million contract after considering leaving the team.<br /><br />OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) The <a class="kxInlineLink" href="http://draft.blogger.com/t/minnesota" title="Click here to view all related stories">Minnesota</a> Timberwolves have picked up guards Damien Wilkins and Chucky Atkins in a trade with Oklahoma City. The Thunder will get veteran Etan (ee-TAHN') Thomas and two of the Timberwolves four second-round draft picks in return.<br /></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.kxnet.com/custom404.asp?404;http://www.kxnet.com/Sports/411909.asp">Source</a><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3188381087547984694-3019072741197773635?l=swimlikemichaelphelps.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Jan Silanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08101505002421999429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188381087547984694.post-28818744230329792552009-12-13T21:35:00.000-08:002009-12-13T21:35:02.376-08:00Michael Phelps continues to pile up medals, but his high-tech swimsuit's days are numbered<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">With science and technology advancing athletic performance across all sports, swimming's Fédération Internationale de Natation (FINA) governing body has decided to limit the amount and type of materials that can be used to make the fancy swimsuits worn by <a href="http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=what-makes-michael-phelps-so-good">elite swimmers such as Michael Phelps</a>. <br /><br />The new rules won't affect the <a href="http://www.fina.org/pool/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=7465:diva-pellegrini-shines-phelps-get-first-gold&catid=102:swimming&Itemid=721">FINA World Championships</a> taking place this week at the Foro Italico in Rome, where six new world records have already been set by swimmers in suits made from materials such as polyurethane, and Phelps has already won a gold metal. (Phelps won eight gold medals at the Summer Olympics in Beijing last year.)<br /><br />Such attire—more like a wetsuit than a swimsuit—is believed to have contributed to the 108 world records set last year and nearly 30 so far this year, the <a href="http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090724/ap_on_sp_ot/swm_worlds_swimsuit_chaos">Associated Press reports</a>.<br /><br />FINA has for several months been <a href="http://www.fina.org/project/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1976&Itemid=586">reviewing procedures for swimwear approval</a>, namely in the areas of the swimsuits' material, thickness, use, shape and availability. The organization voted overwhelmingly last week to limit swimsuit coverage to between the waist and knees for men, and not beyond the shoulders or below the knees for women, according to the AP. The new rule also says suits must be made from textiles (as opposed to titanium alloys and other composites) although FINA has yet to provide a more complete definition of this.<br /><br />Speedo, one of the most prominent swimsuit companies, makes body-hugging apparel that mimics shark skin, alternating between something like the rough <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dermal_denticle">dermal denticles</a> found around the fish's nose and smoother derma located farther back on its body, according to a <a href="http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=the-olympians-new-clothes">2004 <em>Scientific American</em> article examining the technology</a> behind these swimsuits. Some Speedo suits also feature titanium-silicon scales on the inner forearm that grip the water better on down strokes, as well as rubber bumps across the chest to help reduce resistance. TYR Sport, Inc. and Nike are two other companies that make high-tech swimwear.<br /></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.scientificamerican.com/blog/60-second-science/post.cfm?id=michael-phelps-continues-to-pile-up-2009-07-27">Source</a><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3188381087547984694-2881874423032979255?l=swimlikemichaelphelps.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Jan Silanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08101505002421999429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188381087547984694.post-8509339423200211402009-12-13T21:32:00.000-08:002009-12-13T21:32:12.362-08:00Michael Phelps: Turning back the page<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> <br /></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">ROME --The Great Stroke Experiment is over.<br /></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">By mutual decision, <strong>Michael Phelps</strong> and his coach, <strong>Bob Bowman, </strong>are putting that relatively new windmill, straight-arm stroke -- designed for sprinting -- right back on the shelf.<br /></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">"It actually was [mutual]. It's funny, as often happens, he came out and said the same thing," Bowman said this morning at the World Championships. "He said, 'I don't think this is working.' I said, 'You're right.' Experiment failed. Next."<br /></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Phelps told Bowman that on Sunday night, almost immediately after his opening leg in the winning 400-meter freestyle relay.<br /></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">"It's as much my fault as his that he didn't go better," Bowman said.<br /></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Said Phelps after the morning prelims of the 200 freestyle, in which he had the second-fastest time: "We tried something, and it didn't work. We weren't 100% confident, or comfortable, with it. So now I guess it's back to the old stroke. My old stroke was kind off a little bit, but I felt better this morning and felt smooth this morning."<br /></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Bowman broke down the problem with the stroke on Sunday night after the relay.<br /></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">"When I look at it, I see this kind-of stroke," he said. "He's not really doing this new stroke. He's not really doing the old stroke. I'd say we're going back to the old stroke. It's the last time he's doing that."<br /></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">-- Lisa Dillman<br /></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/sports_blog/2009/07/michael-phelps-turning-back-the-page.html">Source</a> <br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3188381087547984694-850933942320021140?l=swimlikemichaelphelps.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Jan Silanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08101505002421999429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188381087547984694.post-63020118580976388462009-12-13T21:31:00.000-08:002009-12-13T21:31:22.624-08:00Fall of 400m freestyle record shocks Phelps<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Rome, Italy - Amid the six World record spree at the World Championships on Sunday, the fall of Ian Thorpe's 400m freestyle World mark stood out for US superstar Michael Phelps.<br /><br />"I still can't believe the men's 400m free record got broken," Phelps said on Monday, after cruising into the semi-finals of the 200m free style.<br /><br />"I thought that was the best record on the book. That was crazy to see that go - but people are swimming fast. You usually don't see that in a post-Olympic year but somehow they're doing it."<br /><br />Germany's Paul Biedermann, wearing a polyurethane suit that is due to be banned from 2010, shaved one-hundredth of a second off Thorpe's seven-year-old record and admitted he was shocked himself.<a href="http://draft.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=3188381087547984694#more" style="font-size: 11px; font-weight: bold;"></a>"I expected someone to break the world record. I didn't expect it to be me," Biedermann said. "This suit makes me really fast. Honestly, I think it takes off two seconds in the 400."<br /></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />Despite the controversy surrounding the suits, Phelps said the record extravaganza wasn't all bad.<br /><br />"It's good for the sport, makes it more exciting," he said. - AFP<br /></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=6&click_id=3020&art_id=nw20090727125111652C195562">Source</a> <br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3188381087547984694-6302011858097638846?l=swimlikemichaelphelps.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Jan Silanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08101505002421999429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188381087547984694.post-62311378996369059462009-12-13T21:30:00.000-08:002009-12-13T21:30:03.785-08:00Michael Phelps back on podium<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span class="articleBegin">R</span>OME - Michael Phelps had an off night. His new windmill stroke just slowed him down. He left his teammates with some catching-up to do. Heck, he didn’t even get a world record when about all you had to do was squeeze into one of those newfangled suits and dive in at the Foro Italico.<br /></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Yet, when it was done, Phelps found himself in that same ol’ place - top of the medal stand.<br /></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/other_sports/general/view/20090727michael_phelps_back_on_podium/">Source</a> <br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3188381087547984694-6231137899636905946?l=swimlikemichaelphelps.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Jan Silanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08101505002421999429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188381087547984694.post-42173804766320918542009-12-13T21:27:00.001-08:002009-12-13T21:27:35.068-08:00Avoiding the Deep End When It Comes to Jitters<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">ROME — Her body was quivering and she was sputtering for breath. The swimmer in obvious distress was not a toddler who took a tumble into the water; it was a future world-record holder in the warm-down pool at the 2004 Summer Games in Athens. <br /></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The teenager <a href="http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/people/h/katie_hoff/index.html?inline=nyt-per" title="More articles about Katie Hoff.">Katie Hoff</a> was having a panic attack and the fully-clothed man who waded in to rescue her was not a lifeguard; it was the United States Olympic coach, Mark Schubert, who soothed her by saying the anxiety that made her palms clammy, her heart race and her mind a tangled web was a well-known opponent on the world scene. <br /></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Whatever their skill level, swimmers often harbor deep-seated fears; the novices of drowning and the national champions of suffocating in a deep pool of expectations. <br /></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">When the FINA world championships get under way Sunday at Foro Italico’s outdoor facility, there will be medal contenders who obsess over who is wearing what high-tech suit, brood about the pizza-oven-like heat that is burning this city’s fairer tourists to a crisp, or become overwhelmed by the television cameras in their faces and the thousands of fans in the stands. <br /></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">They will worry themselves right off the awards podium. <br /></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">To inoculate its team members against any strain of performance flu, United States Swimming officials periodically invite them to seminars on using visualization techniques to achieve optimal performances run by people affiliated with the Pacific Institute based in Seattle. One of their speakers last fall was Brian Goodell, a two-time Olympic gold medalist who weathered a panic attack to win the 1,500-meter freestyle at the 1976 Summer Games in Montreal. <br /></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The aim is to turn the athletes’ minds into bunkers that fortify them against self-doubts. Rare is the swimmer like the 14-time Olympic gold medalist <a href="http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/people/p/michael_phelps/index.html?inline=nyt-per" title="More articles about Michael Phelps.">Michael Phelps</a> who in the crucible of competition can reach a deep state of relaxation on the count of two. <br /></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">More common is the experience of <a href="http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/people/t/dara_torres/index.html?inline=nyt-per" title="More articles about Dara Torres.">Dara Torres</a>, the ageless American who is a co-captain of the women’s team here. Her first major international competition was the 1984 Olympics, held in her hometown, Los Angeles. Torres, then 17, qualified to swim a leg on the women’s 4x100 freestyle relay.<br /></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">In the morning preliminaries, she recalled Friday, “I freaked out when I walked out on the pool deck and saw 17,000 people.” <br /></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">She swam poorly, but redeemed herself at night after one of the team’s veterans, Jill Sterkel, accompanied Torres back to the athletes’ village and painted her fingernails and plopped her in front of a television to watch soap operas to take her mind off her race. <br /></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">There are 16 national-team rookies on the 45-member United States squad that will compete in the world championships over the next eight days, and the 42-year-old Torres has been casually taking their emotional temperatures. If she senses a rise in the rookies’ stress levels, Torres said, she reminds them the pool here is the same size as the ones they train in at home and the distance of their races has not changed. <br /></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Experience has taught Torres that the key to managing prerace anxiety is being able to redirect one’s mind if it starts down a dark path. <br /></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">For the Italian Federica Pellegrini, the 400 freestyle, one of two events in which she holds the world record, used to be like a walk in a dark alley at night. The distance used to make her panic. <br /></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">She found it difficult to trust her own pace because the event attracts both sprinters who set a fast early pace and distance specialists who swim the second 200 meters of the race faster than the first. <br /></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The 20-year-old Pellegrini became more comfortable with the 400 freestyle, to be contested Sunday, only after employing a sports psychologist to help her work through her anxieties. She said last week that the schedule makers did her a favor by putting her toughest event first. <br /></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">“Let’s pull the tooth right away,” she said. “Get rid of the pain.” <br /></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Swimmers try to offset such anxieties with mental preparation. Phelps’s coach, Bob Bowman, says “structured relaxation” has been a part of Phelps’s prerace routine since he was 12 and is instrumental to his success. <br /></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Bowman introduced Phelps, who is scheduled to race in three individual events and three relays here, to a progressive relaxation program based on the recitation of cues. Every night before Phelps went to sleep, his mother, Debbie, would sit with him in his dimly lighted bedroom and command him to relax different parts of his body. <br /></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">After a while, Phelps could relax without his mother’s cues. He became adept at placing himself in that same meditative state in the ready room before a race. Once he has cleared his mind and loosened his limbs, Phelps will swim each race over and over in his mind. <br /></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">It is not just the perfect race that Phelps pictures. He sees himself overcoming every conceivable obstacle to achieve his goal time so that when he stands on the blocks he feels as if nothing can stand in the way of him succeeding. <br /></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">“I do go through everything from a best-case scenario to the worst-case scenario just so I’m ready for anything that comes my way,” Phelps said. <br /></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">So when Phelps’s goggles filled with water during the final of the 200 butterfly at the Beijing Olympics, he did not panic; he counted his strokes so he knew where the walls were and lowered his world record. <br /></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">“When I step onto the blocks to race, I switch into a different gear,” Phelps said. “It doesn’t matter what kind of training I have or what’s going on in my life, I’m always going to rise to the occasion.”<br /></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/26/sports/26swim.html?8dpc">Source</a> <br /></div><nyt_update_bottom style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></nyt_update_bottom><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3188381087547984694-4217380476632091854?l=swimlikemichaelphelps.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Jan Silanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08101505002421999429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188381087547984694.post-22356537803733350712009-12-13T21:26:00.002-08:002009-12-13T21:26:57.083-08:00A Champion Gains Attention Out of the Pool<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b>CBS) </b> <!-- sphereit start-->Stepping up for a swim-off with a berth at the World Championships at stake, Cullen Jones was a picture of cool confidence.<br /><br />Given his success, you might never guess where Jones was 20 years ago - unconscious and nearly drowning at the bottom of an amusement park waterslide, reports <b>CBS News correspondent Jeff Glor</b>.<br /><br />"I vividly remember what the slide looked like and I vividly remember how drowning feels," Jones said.<br /><br />Resuscitated by a lifeguard but still terrified, 5-year-old Cullen might have never jumped in a pool again. <br />His dad wouldn't let that happen.<br /><br />"He felt, also along with my mom, that it was important for me to learn, as opposed to retreating from it," Jones said.<br /><br />His parents insisted on swim lessons - they clearly paid off. He became the fastest American ever in the 50 meters. Record holder, gold medalist - and lately, role model.<br /><br />Jones is using his fame to bring a disturbing issue to the surface. <br /><br />Nearly 60 percent of African American and Hispanic children can't swim. And studies show that black children are nearly three times more likely to drown than whites. Even among the 300,000 registered members of USA Swimming, less than 2 percent are minorities. <br /><br />Jones is diving in to the "Make a Splash" swimming education campaign, giving personal lessons in a half dozen cities this summer. <br /><br />But he says getting minority swimmers into the water isn't easy - not when you're fighting decades of history, indifference and silly stereotypes.<br /><br />"Like the one where black people can't swim because their bodies are genetically different?" Jones asked. "I float probably better than anyone out here."<br /><br />Make a Splash supports programs like the Oakland California Undercurrents, which gives free or low cost lessons to young kids and fields a competition team for older ones. <br /><br />"I can be there. I can do that," said Nia Assata, a swimmer. "It seems cool to go and swim at these big meets, see Michael Phelps and Cullen Jones."<br /><br />"It teaches you life skills on how to be great in whatever aspect of your life you choose," said Dominic Cathey, the Oakland Undercurrents coach.<br /><br />And these boys now have a new hero. <br /><br />"I didn't like swimming, until now," said Taylor Sanders, one boy in the program.<br /><br />"You never thought of it before?"<br /><br />"Never thought of it before," Sanders said.<br /><br />Jones knows the numbers won't change overnight - he intends to keep working with kids long after his competitive career is over. <br /><br />"What's more important for you, winning gold medals or helping kids?" Glor asked.<br /><br />"Definitely helping kids," Jones said. "I mean, I've seen so many kids that have come to me and say 'You know I love being in the pool, I love being in the water.'"<br /></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="http://draft.blogger.com/goog_1260768388177"><br /></a><br /></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/07/25/eveningnews/main5188644.shtml">Source</a><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3188381087547984694-2235653780373335071?l=swimlikemichaelphelps.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Jan Silanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08101505002421999429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188381087547984694.post-80461223269194474072009-12-13T21:26:00.000-08:002009-12-13T21:26:21.236-08:00ALL EYES ON PHELPS<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span id="intelliTXT"> Michael Phelps returns to the pool on Sunday for his first international competition since becoming the most successful Olympian in history last year in Beijing.<br />The 24-year-old launches his campaign in Rome in the 4x100metres freestyle relay in what will be his fifth World Championships.<br />It has been a monumental 12 months for the Baltimore swimmer, characterised by the peak of winning eight gold medals in China but followed by the trough of being pictured in a British tabloid apparently smoking drugs.<br />An apology followed but USA Swimming imposed a three-month ban and Kellogg's failed to renew their endorsement.<br />The swimmer hit rock bottom and pondered his future, wondering whether to carry on in the sport.<br />Ultimately he made his choice and dedicated himself to the pool through to London 2012.<br />In Rome he will swim in six events - the 100metres and 200m butterfly, the 200m freestyle and three relays - as he looks to add to his tally of 20 World Championship medals, 17 of them gold.<br />Phelps said: "It has been a long year, good times, bad times, a lot of really high points and a lot of low points."<br />He added: "I always want to win.<br />"If I have the race I want to have and someone swims faster than me then so be it.<br />"When I come into a meet I have things I want to achieve and that is all I think about."<br />For now the swimmer merely wants to get back to the action, saying: "Yesterday I felt smooth in the water. I felt fast.<br />"When you are waiting to swim like now it feels like forever.<br />"I'm excited about my first race."<br />Phelps recently lowered Ian Crocker's 100m butterfly world record, but ominously added: "There's a lot of room for me to be where I want to be."<br />He also revealed he was still suffering from a neck problem which caused him to withdraw from the 100m free at the US trials, dismissing defending 100m champion Filippo Magnini's assertion he had "ducked" out.<br />Phelps added: "It was never an excuse as it was stated in the paper by one of the athletes.<br />"I actually wanted to swim that race."<br />Coach Bob Bowman, who is the US men's coach at the Foro Italico, said: "My job is to have Michael Phelps as fast as he can be."<br />The pair both welcomed yesterday's decision by FINA to return to textile suits although the ruling will not apply to next week's competition, when many predict every world record to be under threat.<br />Speedo opened the door when they introduced the LZR Racer in February 2008 since when 135 world records have fallen and the Foro Italico will be awash with polyurethane suits.<br />The French men dominate the freestyle.<br />Fred Bousquet became the first man under 21 seconds for the 50m free when he clocked 20.94secs while four of the top six in the 100m are occupied by the French.<br />Oussama Mellouli has been tipped to break Grant Hackett's world record in the 1,500m free.<br />The Tunisian was stripped of his medals at the 2007 Worlds in Melbourne after failing a drugs test.<br />Federica Pellegrini is one of the faces of the competition and will have home support as she looks to avenge the disappointment of the 400m freestyle in Beijing.<br />The Italian was hot favourite for the gold but got her tactics wrong in the final and not only was she beaten to the title by Rebecca Adlington of Great Britain, she finished outside the medals.<br />Another Briton, Jo Jackson, then claimed her world record although the 20-year-old reclaimed it last month to add to her record in the 200m free.<br />Triple Olympic champion Stephanie Rice will renew her rivalry with Kirsty Coventry in the individual medley races with Briton Hannah Miley a threat after a superb year and Libby Trickett goes head to head with double Olympic champion Britta Steffen in the shorter freestyle events.<br /></span><a href="http://draft.blogger.com/goog_1260768308970"><br /></a><!--<script type="text/javascript" src="http://horses.sportinglife.com/sl_racing_script/0,14924,,00.js"></SCRIPT> --><br /></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.sportinglife.com/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=others/09/07/25/SWIMMING_World_Preview.html">Source</a><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3188381087547984694-8046122326919447407?l=swimlikemichaelphelps.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Jan Silanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08101505002421999429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188381087547984694.post-68960760938401897152009-12-13T21:23:00.000-08:002009-12-13T21:23:03.722-08:00Phelps, Torres among stories to watch at FINA Championships<div id="TixyyLink" style="background-color: transparent; border: medium none; color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; overflow: hidden; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"> Swimming events begin Sunday at the FINA World Championships in Rome. This will be more than just the <b>Michael Phelps</b> show, though Phelps will swim in six races (200 freestyle, 100 butterfly 200 butterfly and three relays) and will likely come away with six more medals. Here are some of the things for fans of the U.S. team to look for at the championships:<br /><b>Will the 50 barrier fall?</b><br />Phelps seems primed to bust the 50-second barrier in the 100-meter butterfly, and the competition that gave him his last major defeat in the event would be the ideal field to do it against. When Phelps' teammate <b>Ian Crocker</b> dusted him at the 2005 Worlds, lowering the world record to 50.40 seconds, Phelps referred to it as a "real wake-up call." Phelps finished more than a full second back that day (51.65) and the spanking stuck in his gut for a while. He beat Crocker at the Beijing Olympics, out touching Serbian <b>Milorad Cavic</b> by a scant hundredth of a second. Still, Phelps touched the wall there in 50.58, leaving the record as unfinished business.<br />On July 9, he lowered the mark to 50.22 at the U.S. trials in Indianapolis. That was the 33rd world record of his career, tying him with <b>Mark Spitz</b> for the most all-time. Of all the races in Rome, Phelps would love to win this one, break the 50-second barrier and go one better than Spitz. Of course, Phelps will also have several accomplished flyers who could push, or even beat him, including Cavic, Spain's rapidly improving <b>Rafael Munoz</b> and Australia's <b>Andrew Lauterstein</b>, the bronze medalist in Beijing.<br /><b>Gain one, lose one</b><br />Ah, yes, but don't be surprised if Phelps loses one of his world records in an event he has chosen not to swim. When Phelps set a personal best of 1:54.23 in winning the 200-meter individual medley at the Beijing Games, it marked the eighth time he lowered the world record in that event since 2003. Now <b>Ryan Lochte</b>, Phelps' relay teammate, is just three-tenths away from the record. <br />After six months of enjoying post-Olympic life as a self proclaimed late-sleeper and overeater, Lochte actually shocked himself when he won nationals in 1:54.56 earlier this month, beating the field by a second and a half. And watch the showdown between Lochte and <b>Aaron Peirsol</b> in the 200 back. That should be a one-two finish with both men challenging Peirsol's world record of 1:53.08.<br /><b>French uprising</b><br />Remember that thrilling finish by <b>Jason Lezak</b> to rally the U.S. 4x100-meter freestyle relay team past <b>Alain Bernard</b> and the very verbal French team at the Beijing Games? Without Lezak's push, Phelps would not have won eight gold medals. This year, Lezak is out of the Worlds picture. He has been paying tribute to his Jewish heritage by competing instead at the Maccabiah Games in Israel, where he lit the torch at the opening ceremony. Without Lezak, the U.S. team is without a sub-48 second swimmer on its roster. Newcomer <b>Nathan Adrian</b> has hit 48-flat. The French team can send out an entire quartet of sub-48ers, Bernard among them, in the final.<br /><b>Will <b>Dara Torres</b> ever show her age? </b><br />Not yet. Torres is back on the worlds team at age 42, swimming the 50 free and perhaps one or more relays. Granted, Torres has felt her age at times. She has arthritic knee problems and has had to adjust her training regimen repeatedly, if only for preventive maintenance. Olympic champ <b>Britta Steffan</b> from Germany will still be the favorite in the 50 free, with Australia's <b>Libby Trickett</b> and Dutchwoman <b>Marleen Veldhuis</b> right on her tail. Don't count Torres out though -- anything can happen in a short race. <br />Torres said at Nationals that she has been struggling with her start since the Beijing Games and has been waiting to pop one, getting off the blocks. Given the premium on those first few strokes in such a short race, a pop could land her on the podium in Rome. The next-oldest on the U.S. team, by the way, is <b>Keri Hehn</b>, at a modest 28, so Torres has lapped the field by almost a decade and a half.<br /><b>Any feel-good stories on this team?</b><br />Well, how about <b>Eric Shanteau</b> and <b>Hayley McGregory</b>, to name two. Last summer, Shanteau was diagnosed with testicular cancer just a week before he qualified for the Olympic team in the 200-meter breaststroke. He went to Beijing and barely missed out on the final eight. He came back to have the cancerous testicle removed later that month. <br />This year he is cancer-free and swimming better than ever. Shanteau qualified for the U.S. team in the 100 and 200 breaststrokes and the 200 IM, behind Lochte. He'll be among the medal contenders in the 200 breast and could also be tapped for a relay leg. <br />The meet's other feel-good story, British-born, Houston-raised McGregory has been swimming's queen of narrow misses. Swimmers only get two places per country in each individual race. McGregory has placed third four times over the last two Olympic trials, including the 100-meter backstroke last year in Omaha, where she set a world record in the prelims. Last month in Indianapolis, she won the 100 back and she'll have a chance at a medal in Rome, where Zimbabwe's <b>Kirsty Coventry</b>, the Olympic champ in the 200 back, will be favored.<br /><br /><a href="http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/brian_cazeneuve/07/24/swim/"> Source</a><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3188381087547984694-6896076093840189715?l=swimlikemichaelphelps.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Jan Silanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08101505002421999429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188381087547984694.post-74871082509112398412009-12-13T21:22:00.000-08:002009-12-13T21:22:10.725-08:00Laidback Phelps unperturbed by faster suits<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">ROME (Reuters) - Michael Phelps was so relaxed about the threat from rivals with faster swimsuits that he could afford a mid-afternoon doze at the world championships on Friday.<br /></div><span id="midArticle_1" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></span> <div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The Rome showpiece starts on Sunday and although governing body FINA is poised to ban new hi-tech suits from 2010, the controversy will rage on next week with some swimmers using costumes which could prompt quicker times than others.<br /></div><span id="midArticle_2" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></span> <div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Phelps, who glided to a record eight gold medals at last year's Beijing Olympics, will use the Speedo LZR suit which was the first of the new generation of costumes but has now been usurped by the likes of Jaked's all-polyurethane suit.<br /></div><span id="midArticle_3" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></span> <div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">"If I have the race I want to have and someone swims faster than me, so be it," the 24-year-old told a news conference having explained his slightly slow responses.<br /></div><span id="midArticle_4" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></span> <div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">"I'm kinda out of it right now, I kinda woke up from a nap on the bus."<br /></div><span id="midArticle_5" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></span> <div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The American, who will only race in three individual events in Rome -- the 200 metres freestyle, 100 butterfly and 200 butterfly -- said he could not name a rival he especially feared.<br /></div><span id="midArticle_6" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></span> <div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Phelps's confidence springs from his spectacular return to action at the recent U.S. trials in Indianapolis where he smashed the 100 butterfly world record.<br /></div><span id="midArticle_7" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></span> <div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">It also confirmed he was back to full fitness after a six month layoff following Beijing that included a three-month suspension from USA Swimming for being photographed inhaling from a pipe used for smoking marijuana.<br /></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">"I haven't prepared the best way by taking six months break but we did the best we could," he said. "It's been a long year. Lots of high points. Lots of low points."<br /></div><span id="midArticle_0" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></span> <div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Phelps, who had a slight neck problem at the trials, has his eyes fixed on another big race away from the worlds.<br /></div><span id="midArticle_1" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></span> <div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">He is due to swim against giant basketball player Shaquille O'Neal for reality television.<br /></div><span id="midArticle_2" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></span> <div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">"We haven't decided anything really...like how big a head start I'm going to give him," he smirked.<br /></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="http://in.reuters.com/article/worldOfSport/idINIndia-41303220090724?pageNumber=2&virtualBrandChannel=0">Source</a> <br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3188381087547984694-7487108250911239841?l=swimlikemichaelphelps.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Jan Silanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08101505002421999429noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188381087547984694.post-85780319836040662792009-12-13T21:21:00.000-08:002009-12-13T21:21:19.114-08:00Michael Phelps shows Stephanie Rice his moves<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> <br /></div><div class="story-body lead-media-small" done115="0" done5="121" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> <br /><div class="story-intro"> <strong>MICHAEL Phelps showed he's still a fast mover in the pool, especially when it comes to the ladies as this picture of him embracing Australia's Stephanie Rice shows. <!-- google_ad_section_end(name=story_introduction) --></strong><br /></div><!-- // .story-intro --><!-- google_ad_section_start(name=story_body, weight=high) --> "He did his normal thing we would do after a trip. He did a little bit of fast swimming and it looked pretty good," said Phelps' coach, Bob Bowman.<br />Triple Olympic gold medallist Rice obviously thought so too, warmly returning his warm watery greeting.<br />Photographers followed Phelp's' every stroke, particularly when he moved in to hug Rice.<br />The pair famously shared a romantic evening together at a party during the Beijing Olympics where photographers caught the pair getting cosy together in a corner.<br />Phelps will swim only three individual events in Rome the 200 freestyle, and 100 and 200 butterfly plus all three relays. At this month's U.S. championships, he set a world record in the 100 butterfly, although he pulled out of the 100 free with a sore neck.<br />"I think things are looking pretty good, so we'll see how it goes," Bowman said.<br />Phelps, the winner of a record eight gold medals at last summer's Olympics, wore a blue cap, designer sunglasses and headphones. Once on the pool deck, he wrapped a towel around himself and changed into a brief black and green swimsuit, then dove in without a cap.<br />Rice said she had taken a few tips from the American swimming superstar.<br />"I've talked with him about how he handles the media," she said.<br />"I'm grateful to be able to talk about that with him, knowing my mental ups and down from things like that and sort of him seeming so calm about it all. It's good to learn how he handles that pressure and really just focusing on what's important and just letting that other stuff go behind you."<br />Phelps and the rest of the U.S. squad trained in Riccione on Italy's Adriatic coast for the last week before taking a short flight to Rome.<br />"Training in Riccione was great," Bowman said. "Where we stayed was great. Everything couldn't have been better."<br /><!-- google_ad_section_end(name=story_body) --></div><!-- // .story-body --><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/entertainment/sydney-confidential/michael-phelps-shows-stephanie-rice-his-moves/story-e6frewz0-1225754408622">Source</a> <br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3188381087547984694-8578031983604066279?l=swimlikemichaelphelps.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Jan Silanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08101505002421999429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188381087547984694.post-35513948454256585172009-12-13T21:19:00.000-08:002009-12-13T21:19:28.189-08:00Phelps: Beware anyone wearing 'those' suits<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Swimming superstar Michael Phelps says anyone that beats him by wearing a faster swimsuit in Rome is only going to make him "10 times hungrier" for revenge.<br /></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Phelps will honour his long-standing and lucrative endorsement deal with Speedo at the FINA world championships starting on Sunday by wearing the LZR suit and not changing to the 2009 new-generation options made with full polyurethane.<br /></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The greatest Olympian in history has already proven he is up to the challenge he faces in Rome by setting a new 100m butterfly world record at the US trials earlier this month.<br /></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">However his new mark of 50.22 seconds is under attack with rivals, including Australia's Andrew Lauterstein, predicting a sub-50 second swim will be required to take the gold medal at the Foro Italico.<br /></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Phelps said he only worries about his own performance when racing, but added losses always inspire him to greater heights in the future.<br /></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">"I like to win no matter what," said Phelps.<br /></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">"If I have a race that I want to have and someone else swims faster, then so be it.<br /></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">"That will just make me ten times hungrier to not let it happen again.<br /></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">"That's what I've done in the past and I'm sure when it happens I will do the same thing again."<br /></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Phelps enters the world championships with a reduced workload - only six events as opposed to eight that he won gold in in Beijing last year - and carrying a neck injury.<br /></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The neck complaint forced him out of the 100m freestyle final at US trials and Phelps says the issue remains, refuting a suggestion by Italy's world champion Filippi Magnini that the American star backed away knowing he wouldn't win in Rome.<br /></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">"I still have a neck problem," he said,.<br /></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">"My neck was never an excuse as it was in the paper by another athlete. I'm never afraid to swim any event.<br /></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">"The doctor didn't want me to put pressure on my neck and possibly jeopardise my immediate future."<br /></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Phelps will race only the 200m freestyle, 100m and 200m butterfly in Rome, plus three relays.<br /></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">He has dropped the individual medley events from his program.<br /></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">He says he is in superb shape for the meet after overcoming the most difficult year of growing up post-Beijing when photographs emerged of him smoking marijuana in a university dorm room.<br /></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Coach Bob Bowman joked Phelps "still acts like a 15-year-old" during their Friday press conference which drew 20 television cameras and more than 100 journalists.<br /></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">"It's been a long year," said Phelps.<br /></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">"A lot of high points and a lot of low points.It's been a real learning year both in and out of the pool."<br /></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="http://tvnz.co.nz/othersports-news/phelps-beware-anyone-wearing-those-suits-2870828">Source</a> <br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3188381087547984694-3551394845425658517?l=swimlikemichaelphelps.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Jan Silanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08101505002421999429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188381087547984694.post-64951741849155788692009-12-13T21:12:00.002-08:002009-12-13T21:12:44.782-08:00Stephanie Rice re-unites with Michael Phelps<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span class="story-summary-bold">THE king and queen of the pool, Michael Phelps and Stephanie Rice, made no secret of their delight at a chance meeting when they bumped into each other in the water at Rome's Foro Italico. </span><!-- // .story-summary-list --> <br /></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Phelps and Rice are preparing to defend their positions as the world's top male and female swimmers at the world championships, starting tomorrow, but took a moment yesterday to hug each other and have a chat, when the US and Australian teams trained together for the first time since arriving on Wednesday.<br /></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The obvious friendliness between the two swimmers at a Speedo function in Beijing after the Olympics finished last August excited much speculation about a possible romance between the pair.<br /></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Gossip columnists reported that the two had been spotted kissing at a party as they celebrated their Olympic triumphs.<br /></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Phelps, 24, won a record eight gold medals at the Games to become the most decorated Olympian in history, while Rice, 21, made a perfect Olympic debut, winning three gold medals, all in world-record time.<br /></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">At the time both denied that there was anything but friendship between them and they chatted happily while photographers snapped their reunion in the main pool yesterday.<br /></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Rice has twice visited Phelps's hometown of Baltimore since Beijing, but said it was Phelps's training partner Katie Hoff who she had gone to visit.<br /></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Hoff is one of Rice's biggest rivals in the individual medley, although the American has had a tough year since the Olympics and will not compete in Rome. However, they have formed a close friendship outside the pool.<br /></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">"Katie and I are probably best friends," Rice said recently.<br /></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">"I talk to her every second day and we keep in great touch.<br /></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">"She is probably the first person that I have become really good friends with that is also a strong competitor of mine."<br /></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Rice begins her campaign with the 200m individual medley tomorrow.<br /></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/sport/nrl/story/0,26746,25829155-5016380,00.html">Source</a> <br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3188381087547984694-6495174184915578869?l=swimlikemichaelphelps.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Jan Silanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08101505002421999429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188381087547984694.post-74024254722987016092009-12-13T21:12:00.000-08:002009-12-13T21:12:06.236-08:00Stephanie Rice and Michael Phelps' embrace fuels rumours<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> <br /></div><div class="story-intro" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> <strong>THEY are the undisputed king and queen of the pool, but Michael Phelps and Stephanie Rice yesterday stoked speculation they are more than just swimming friends with a steamy embrace on the eve of the world championships. <!-- google_ad_section_end(name=story_introduction) --></strong><br /></div><!-- // .story-intro --><!-- google_ad_section_start(name=story_body, weight=high) --> <div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Australian golden girl Rice has gone to great lengths to keep her obvious affection for Phelps a secret, but the pair yesterday simply couldn't hide their delight at a chance meeting in the water at Rome's Foro Italico.<br /></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Preparing to defend their positions as the world's top male and female swimmers at the world championships, starting tomorrow, Phelps, 24, and Rice, 21, hugged and gushed at one another as the US and Australian teams trained together for the first time since arriving on Wednesday.<br /></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The obvious friendliness between the two swimmers at a Speedo function in Beijing after the Olympics finished last August was the first sign of romance between the pair.<br /></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The swim champs were also spotted kissing at a party as they celebrated their Olympic triumphs. Phelps won a record eight gold medals at the Games to become the most decorated Olympian in history, while Rice made a perfect Olympic debut, winning three gold medals, all in world record time. <br /></div><div class="story-body lead-media-small" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">At the time both denied that there was anything but friendship between them, although Rice has gone on record saying how much she admires both Phelps' talent and his body.<br />Rice has twice visited Phelps' hometown of Baltimore since Beijing, but claimed it was Phelps' training partner Katie Hoff who she had gone to visit.<br />Hoff is one of Rice's biggest rivals in the individual medley, although the American girl has had a tough year since the Olympics and will not compete in Rome. However, they have formed a close friendship outside the pool<br />"Katie and I are probably best friends," Rice said recently.<br />"I talk to her every second day and we keep in great touch. She is probably the first person that I have become really good friends with that is also strong competitor of mine.<br />"It's been really great, we've learnt a lot from each other and help each other out.<br />"We talk about everything pretty much, whatever is on our mind. I talk to her often, once or twice a week.<br />"I've been over there a couple of times to stay with her and she is one of those girls I will keep in touch with once I finish swimming as well."<br />Rice has battled illness in the lead-up to the world championships but is hopeful that she will contend for her first world title.<br />She begins her campaign with the 200m individual medley tomorrow<br /><!-- google_ad_section_end(name=story_body) --></div><!-- // .story-body --><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> <br /></div><div class="story-body lead-media-small" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">At the time both denied that there was anything but friendship between them, although Rice has gone on record saying how much she admires both Phelps' talent and his body.<br />Rice has twice visited Phelps' hometown of Baltimore since Beijing, but claimed it was Phelps' training partner Katie Hoff who she had gone to visit.<br />Hoff is one of Rice's biggest rivals in the individual medley, although the American girl has had a tough year since the Olympics and will not compete in Rome. However, they have formed a close friendship outside the pool<br />"Katie and I are probably best friends," Rice said recently.<br />"I talk to her every second day and we keep in great touch. She is probably the first person that I have become really good friends with that is also strong competitor of mine.<br />"It's been really great, we've learnt a lot from each other and help each other out.<br />"We talk about everything pretty much, whatever is on our mind. I talk to her often, once or twice a week.<br />"I've been over there a couple of times to stay with her and she is one of those girls I will keep in touch with once I finish swimming as well."<br />Rice has battled illness in the lead-up to the world championships but is hopeful that she will contend for her first world title.<br />She begins her campaign with the 200m individual medley tomorrow<br /><br /><a href="http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/more-sports/stephanie-rice-and-michael-phelps-embrace-fuels-rumours/story-e6frey6i-1225754447418">Source</a> <br /><!-- google_ad_section_end(name=story_body) --></div><!-- // .story-body --><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3188381087547984694-7402425472298701609?l=swimlikemichaelphelps.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Jan Silanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08101505002421999429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188381087547984694.post-83418519423355298312009-12-13T21:11:00.000-08:002009-12-13T21:11:11.978-08:00Bodysuits likely to be banned for 2010<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Sixteen of the world’s leading swimming nations, including Great Britain, will demand a ban today on all bodysuits by 2010. <br /></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The move would lead to the end of “fast suits”, including the one worn by Michael Phelps, of the United States, and Rebecca Adlington, the Briton, on the way to Olympic gold medals last year. <br /></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Since the launch of the Speedo LZR Racer 17 months ago, with its Nasa-designed polyurethane panels, 135 world records have fallen to swimmers wearing the suits. If the motion is agreed, they would be forced to revert to traditional textile costumes by January 1 next year. <br /></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The political revolt took the sport’s leaders by surprise, though the suits will continue to enhance performances over eight days of racing from Sunday at the Fina World Championships in Rome. <br /></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Immediately after Mustapha Larfaoui and Cornel Marculescu, respectively the president and executive director of Fina, announced that “we cannot stop progress”, members of the international federation’s technical congress voted to ban bodysuits. Only one nation abstained, with 103 voting in favour of the change. <br /></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The new rules will go before Fina’s main congress today and it is expected that they will be rubber-stamped. As a result, the words “or swimsuit” are expected to be added to a rule that forbids the use of “any device” that may “aid to speed, buoyancy or endurance”. <br /></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Twenty-seven records have fallen in the suits this year alone. Among the latest is the women’s 100 metres freestyle, which was broken last month. <br /></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Having set the new mark of 52.56sec, half a second faster than the previous best, Britta Steffen, the Olympic champion from Germany, said: “You feel no pain. Under normal circumstances, this suit should be forbidden and I expect that by 2010 it will be. I felt like a speedboat in water and never in my life would I have believed that a human could glide like that.” <br /></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The crisis runs deeper than records: the all-time world rankings have been swamped by a tidal wave of progress, with the world record of 21.64 over 50 metres freestyle — set by Alex Popov, of Russia, in January 2008 — having been surpassed 36 times by ten men. <br /></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Over the same period, the number of men capable of racing inside a minute over 100 metres breaststroke has leapt from three to 22. <br /></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The issue divides friend and foe alike. Adlington, in the LZR, and Joanne Jackson, her Great Britain team-mate in the Hydrofoil, are at the centre of a dispute over which suit is the worst offender. <br /></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Britain officials were due to announce a blanket media ban on suit talk from this morning.<br /></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/more_sport/article6725666.ece">Source</a> <br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3188381087547984694-8341851942335529831?l=swimlikemichaelphelps.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Jan Silanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08101505002421999429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188381087547984694.post-86652875111737468122009-12-13T21:10:00.000-08:002009-12-13T21:10:23.804-08:00FINA OK's proposal to rein in suit technology<div id="TixyyLink" style="background-color: transparent; border: medium none; color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; overflow: hidden; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"> ROME — With all the astonishing technological advances of the past year and a half threatening to turn swimming into "a joke of a sport," as one top coach put it, officials Thursday took a cautious step toward reining things in. <br />FINA, the sport's governing body, approved a proposal backed by USA Swimming that adds two key words to a rule stating: "No swimmer shall be permitted to use or wear any device that may aid his speed, buoyancy or endurance during a competition." The new rule bars "any device or swimsuit" that aids performance. <br />Some suits are suspected of creating "air trapping" effects that artificially enhance speed. <br />The new rule comes just as Michael Phelps and Co. prepared to make a splash at the world swimming championships. <br />"It's still a bit unclear on how it will affect the swimsuit issue, because we still need to define what the rules are going to be," said Mark Schubert, head coach and general manager of the U.S. national team. "We still have some work to do but it was something in the right direction." <br />Last year, 108 world records were set, off the charts even in an Olympic year with all the top swimmers in peak form. The trend is still going strong in 2009, with nearly 30 records falling already — an astonishingly high number coming on the heels of the Beijing Games. <br />The U.S. was expected to present another proposal today that would prevent suits from covering anything beyond the shoulders or below the knees. <br /><b>Crippen keeps bronze. </b> <br />Francis Crippen kept his bronze medal in the 10-kilometer open water race after USA Swimming won an appeal. <br />The Italian team protested that Crippen should have been disqualified for swimming outside the ropes guiding contestants to the finish. FINA accepted Italy's protest after the race Wednesday but allowed the Americans to appeal. Thomas Lurz of Germany won the race, with Andrew Gemmell of the United States finishing second. Italian Valero Cleri remained fourth. <br />Lurz, Gemmell and Crippen will finally get their medals today after the women's 3-meter synchronized diving competition.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.denverpost.com/headlines/ci_12903708">Source</a> <br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3188381087547984694-8665287511173746812?l=swimlikemichaelphelps.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Jan Silanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08101505002421999429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188381087547984694.post-21279958094579857002009-12-13T21:09:00.000-08:002009-12-13T21:09:43.006-08:00Swimsuit issue: Sport's leaders rein in tech advances<div id="story_text_top" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> <b>ROME</b> -- The swimmers on the pool deck are ogling each other's high-tech bodysuits like fashionistas on the runways of Milan, thinking of gliding into history with yet another record-smashing time. <br />The leaders of the sport, however, are saying: not so fast.<br />With all the astonishing technological advances of the past year and a half threatening to turn swimming into "a joke of a sport," as one top coach put it, officials on Thursday took a cautious step toward reining things in. <br /></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">FINA, the sport's governing body, approved a proposal backed by USA Swimming that adds two key words to a rule stating: "No swimmer shall be permitted to use or wear any device that may aid his speed, buoyancy or endurance during a competition." The new rule bars "any device or swimsuit" that aids performance.<br /></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">"This is a great sport. There are great people involved in it. We must return it back to the credibility it once had," said Alan Thompson, longtime leader of the Australian national team.<br /></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">That credibility has certainly been threatened by a mind-boggling assault on the record book. Last year, 108 world marks were set. The trend is still going strong in 2009, with nearly 30 records falling already.<br /></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The new rule comes just as Michael Phelps and Co. prepared to make a splash at the world swimming championships.<br /></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Phelps arrived in Rome for the world championships Thursday for his first swim in the Foro Italico pool. <br /></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">"He did his normal thing we would do after a trip. He did a little bit of fast swimming and it looked pretty good," said Phelps' coach, Bob Bowman. <br /></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Phelps will swim only three individual events in Rome -- the 200 freestyle, and 100 and 200 butterfly -- plus all three relays. At this month's U.S. championships, he set a world record in the 100 butterfly, although he pulled out of the 100 free with a sore neck. <br /></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">"I think things are looking pretty good, so we'll see how it goes," Bowman said. <br /></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="http://draft.blogger.com/goog_1260767311635"><br /></a><br /></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.modbee.com/sports/story/792507.html">Source</a><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3188381087547984694-2127995809457985700?l=swimlikemichaelphelps.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Jan Silanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08101505002421999429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188381087547984694.post-80270324261581057872009-12-13T21:08:00.001-08:002009-12-13T21:08:26.805-08:00Shaq vs Michael Phelps, vs Serena Williams, vs Oscar de la Hoya<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Whoa! The news of Shaquille O'Neal getting in training shape to swim against Michael Phelps, play tennis against Serena Williams and box against Oscar de la Hoya has<a href="http://www.newsdaily.com/stories/tre56k0ji-us-shaq/" target="_blank"> hit the web</a>. (Spanish summary below - Resumen español abajo)<br /></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Just in case you thought the current emphasis on cross-training fitness by star athletes was a mere fad, the upcoming show could well be a fitness feast; with a little good fortune, it's a terrific example of muscle confusion as an important training technique, verses muscle memory as an important competitive edge.<br /></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">ABC's "Shaq Vs.," is scheduled to debut Tuesday, Aug. 18 at 9 p.m. ET/PT, and pits the Cleveland Cavalier's center against star athletes - in their own court, (or pool, or field, etc).<br /></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The list that's out there for current contenders includes Olympic swimmer <strong>Michael Phelps,</strong> St. Louis Cardinals first baseman <strong>Albert Pujols</strong>, Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback <strong>Ben Roethlisberger</strong>, tennis star <strong>Serena Williams</strong>, beach volleyball pros <strong>Kerri Walsh</strong> and <strong>Misty May-Treanor</strong> and boxing legend <strong>Oscar de la Hoya</strong>.<br /></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">According to <a href="http://www.usatoday.com/life/television/news/2009-07-19-shaquille-reality-show_N.htm" target="_blank">USAToday.com</a>, O'Neal came up with the idea as a fun way to help train for the NBA season and figured sports fans "would really want to see an athlete play another sport." He knew most of the athletes and recruited some of them on Twitter.<br /></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.cleveland.com/cavs/index.ssf/2009/07/before_a_single_game_with_cava.html" target="_blank">Cleveland.com</a> reported that O'Neal will negotiate a handicap with each opponent and train with a coach for one week leading up to the challenge. He received the blessing of Cavaliers management to participate in the show.<br /></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">"He's addressing a question we think is one you've heard on sports radio for decades: What if this great athlete from that sport had a competition against that great athlete from that sport?" said Modi Wiczyk, CEO of the show's production company, Media Rights Capital. "There's an element of wish fulfillment to this."<br /></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">"These athletes may be on top of their game, but I am up for the challenge," O'Neal said in a news release. "I plan to train hard and win, so look out."<br /></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.examiner.com/x-5202-San-Jose-Fitness-Examiner%7Ey2009m7d23-Shaq--vs--Michael-Phelps-vs-Serena-Williams-vs-Oscar-de-la-Hoya">Source</a> <br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3188381087547984694-8027032426158105787?l=swimlikemichaelphelps.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Jan Silanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08101505002421999429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188381087547984694.post-42730554869174076122009-12-13T21:05:00.002-08:002009-12-13T21:05:35.489-08:00TV's Biggest New Star--Absolutely<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> <br /></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 10px;"> <div style="font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 5px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">We have no idea if the show will be any good, but certainly it will tough to find bigger talent. </span><br /></div><div style="font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; padding: 0px 0px 5px;"><br /></div><div style="font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 5px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">"Shaq vs." is a new reality show from ABC. The premise: Seven foot one inch, 350 pound NBA center Shaquille O’Neal will challenge the best players in multiple sports to a duel. Shaq, who has had side gigs as a rapper and deputy sheriff, gets a handicap of some sort, but then its game on. The reality show debuts August 18 at 9pm EST on ABC. In that episode, O’Neal, who has a habit of nicknaming himself to suit his environment (he was “the big cactus” when he played in Phoenix) will take on Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps in a pool race. No word on whether Shaq will become “the big cannonball”.</span><br /></div><div style="font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; padding: 0px 0px 5px;"><br /></div><div style="font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 5px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">In future episodes, O’Neal will pitt himself against Pittsburgh Steeler Super Bowl quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, bat against St. Louis slugger Albert Pujols, play tennis against Wimbledon champ Serena Williams and box former world champion Oscar De La Hoya. In each show, Shaq will get one week to train with a coach to learn the sport he’ll compete in.</span><br /></div><div style="font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; padding: 0px 0px 5px;"><br /></div><div style="font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 5px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">There will be no prize, other than bragging rights. “Bragging rights are always better than any monetary prize.” O’Neal was quoted as saying.</span><br /></div><div style="font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 5px;"><br /></div><div style="font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 5px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><a href="http://www.examiner.com/x-4802-Indianapolis-TV-Examiner%7Ey2009m7d23-TVs-Biggest-New-StarAbsolutely">Source</a> <br /></span><br /></div></span><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3188381087547984694-4273055486917407612?l=swimlikemichaelphelps.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Jan Silanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08101505002421999429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188381087547984694.post-11128646161687275002009-12-13T21:05:00.000-08:002009-12-13T21:05:04.031-08:00Phelps has unfinished business at worlds<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span id="articleText"><span id="midArticle_start"></span><span id="midArticle_0"></span><span class="focusParagraph"> INDIANAPOLIS (Reuters) - With 14 Olympic and 17 world championship gold medals already in his possession, it is hard to imagine what Michael Phelps might have left to accomplish in a pool.<br /></span> <div class="relatedTopics"><a href="http://draft.blogger.com/news/us">U.S.</a> | <a href="http://draft.blogger.com/news/sports">Sports</a><br /></div><span id="midArticle_1"></span> But the 24-year-old has arrived in Rome for the world championships, which start on Sunday, with unfinished business.<br /><span id="midArticle_2"></span> What that business might be, Phelps has refused to say.<br /><span id="midArticle_3"></span> Not even Phelps's mother is privy to the information that is written on a piece of paper and sealed in an envelope, the contents known only to her son and long-time coach Bob Bowman.<br /><span id="midArticle_4"></span> "When I retire I want to be able to look back at my career and say I did everything I wanted to do," Phelps said at the recent U.S. world trials.<br /><span id="midArticle_5"></span> "I still have times I want to hit, I still have other personal goals I want to achieve before I quit the sport. I've been writing my goals on a piece of paper and mailing them to Bob for 13 years now.<br /><span id="midArticle_6"></span> "It's something I do at the beginning of the season and Bob helps me get to where I want to go. I'm not going to say any specifics, that is between Bob and I. We're the only ones who know, my mom doesn't even know."<br /><span id="midArticle_7"></span> Some details, however, are sure to be revealed in Rome where Phelps will focus on the shorter events as he continues his transition from all-rounder to sprinter.<br /><span id="midArticle_8"></span> At the 2007 worlds in Melbourne, Phelps bagged seven golds but he has set himself much more modest objectives in Rome where he will swim in just three individual events -- the 200m freestyle, 100m butterfly and 200m butterfly.<br /><span id="midArticle_9"></span> If there were rumors Phelps lacked motivation following his record eight gold medals at last year's Beijing Games, he erased them in spectacular fashion at the U.S. Nationals by demolishing Ian Crocker's 100 butterfly world record.<br /><span id="midArticle_10"></span> SMOKING MARIJUANA<br /><span id="midArticle_11"></span> His display in Indianapolis also confirmed he was back to full fitness after a six month layoff following Beijing that included a three-month suspension from USA Swimming when he was photographed inhaling from a pipe used for smoking marijuana.<br /><span id="midArticle_12"></span> During his time away Phelps packed on nearly seven kilograms and contemplated retirement but after time to reflect, he has targeted more gold and glory at the 2012 London Olympics.<br /><span id="midArticle_13"></span> Certainly the longest layoff of Phelps's career did nothing to dull his competitive edge or popularity. After the initial uproar over the marijuana, all seems forgiven.<br /><span id="midArticle_14"></span> In recent months Phelps has even welcomed new sponsors to his bulging portfolio.<br /><span id="midArticle_15"></span> "To be back in the water after about six months and swim a best time it shows anything can happen if you put your mind to it." he added.<br /><span id="midArticle_0"></span> Phelps is not the only American likely to make waves in Rome.<br /><span id="midArticle_1"></span> Aaron Peirsol smashed the 100m and 200m backstroke world records in Indianapolis, easily beating compatriot and Olympic champion Ryan Lochte in the 200 final.<br /><span id="midArticle_2"></span> Dara Torres, winner of three silvers in Beijing, will also be hunting 50m freestyle glory at the age of 42.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE56M0LH20090723">Source</a> <br /></span><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3188381087547984694-1112864616168727500?l=swimlikemichaelphelps.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Jan Silanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08101505002421999429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188381087547984694.post-43201427013140974052009-12-13T21:04:00.000-08:002009-12-13T21:04:27.642-08:00ABC lines up celebrity athletes to take on O'Neal in Shaq Vs.<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> I can't help but think of the old "Bo Knows" commercials, where professional baseball and football player Bo Jackson showed us that he could do literally anything. Now, it's the big man's turn. <a href="http://www.zap2it.com/tv/zap-aff-shaqsbackatabc,0,861184.story?track=rss">Shaquille O'Neal stars in <em>Shaq Vs.</em></a>, where the basketball star shows his own diversity by taking on the likes of Michael Phelps and Albert Pujols. <br /><br />The idea is that Shaq will take on the guest athlete's sport, meaning he'll swim laps with Phelps and go to bat against Pujols. The ABC series premieres Tuesday, August 18 at 9 PM, but there's no word as to how many episodes they're signed up for. If it's a huge hit, though, you have to think they're going to need to find more athletes and more challenges for Shaq. <br /><br />Can he Trade powerslams with Randy Orton? Pump more steroids than Manny Ramirez? Make a better blacklight sex tape than Paris Hilton? Get more tabloid headlines than the Gosselins? The real challenge would be if Shaq starts taking on actors in their chosen field.<br /></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.tvsquad.com/2009/07/22/abc-lines-up-celebrity-athletes-to-take-on-oneal-in-shaq-vs/">Source</a> <br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3188381087547984694-4320142701314097405?l=swimlikemichaelphelps.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Jan Silanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08101505002421999429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188381087547984694.post-50520217968438457722009-12-13T21:03:00.001-08:002009-12-13T21:03:24.475-08:00Coaches Drive Success of Swimmers Park and Phelps<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Korea’s top swimmer Park Tae-hwan, 20, and U.S. Olympic champion Michael Phelps, 24, both have their respective coaches to thank for their success. <br /></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> <br /></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">"Marine Boy" Park began training for competition at age seven under coach Noh Sang-min, who heads the Korean national team. The fruit of their collaboration and efforts came in August last year, when Park won Korea’s first Olympic gold in the sport in the men’s 400-meter freestyle thanks to Noh’s outstanding leadership and support. <br /></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> <br /></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">When the swimmer began neglecting training after winning a gold in the 2007 world championships, Noh brought him back to the pool. The coach also had Park return to the Taeneung Training Center in Seoul after he had trained extensively abroad. Noh helped to get Park in peak physical condition over a two-month training session. <br /></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> <br /></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Phelps, who won a record eight golds in the Beijing Olympic, owes a debt of gratitude to his coach Bob Bowman. Bowman has trained Phelps since the swimming sensation was 11 years old, and Phelps expressed thanks to his mentor in his new book “Beneath the Surface.” <br /></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> <br /></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Phelps started swimming to overcome a physical handicap at age seven, and has emerged as global star under the perfectionist Bowman. <br /></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> <br /></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Phelps said Bowman made him what he is today through systematic and well-organized training and forcing him to train every day. The coach also stood by Phelps when his protégé endured humiliation after being caught smoking marijuana this year. <br /></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> <br /></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Thanks to his coach, Phelps is in Rome for this year’s world championships in prime physical condition, as evidenced by his new world record of 50.22 seconds in the 100-meter butterfly in the U.S. championships July 10. <br /></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> <br /></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Park and Phelps will face off again in the men’s 200-meter freestyle. Last year, Phelps won the event with a world-record time of 1 minute 42.96 seconds, while Park ranked second in 1 minute 44.85, setting an Asian record.<br /></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="http://draft.blogger.com/goog_1260764411837"><br /></a><br /></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="http://english.donga.com/srv/service.php3?bicode=070000&biid=2009072397508">Source</a><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3188381087547984694-5052021796843845772?l=swimlikemichaelphelps.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Jan Silanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08101505002421999429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188381087547984694.post-44665152169482058822009-12-13T18:06:00.002-08:002009-12-13T18:06:45.435-08:00Shaq vs. Michael Phelps, What about vs. Shaun White or Lindsey Vonn?<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The new ABC reality TV series "Shaq Vs." premiering Aug. 18 will feature Shaquille O'Neal against other top athletes in their respective sports. Scheduled for the show are Olympic swimming superstar Michael Phelps, Ben Roethlisberger of the Pittsburgh Steelers, 2009 Wimbledon champion Serena Williams, boxing legend Oscar De La Hoya, volleyball sensations Kerri Walsh and Misty May-Treanor, and Albert Pujols of the St. Louis Cardinals. <br /><br />Shaq will be competing against the athletes in their own sports with sections of the show devoted to negotiating a handicap, quality time with needy kids and the main event. The winner gets bragging rights since there is no cash prize. <br /><br />This smells like a <a href="http://draft.blogger.com/news/skinews/20090715/Terrell-Owens-bails-Bode-Miller-tanks-while-Kristi-Leskinen-Maksim-Chmerkovskiy-dominate-on-the-Superstars" title="Superstars spinoff">Superstars spinoff</a>. ABC should consider extending this series to winter sports. How would you like to see Shaq vs. <a href="http://draft.blogger.com//" target="Self" title="snowboard">snowboard</a> champ Shaun White? Imagine Shaq hucking the halfpipe. Or what about Shaq vs. World Cup overall<a href="http://draft.blogger.com//" target="Self" title="ski"> ski </a>champion <a href="http://draft.blogger.com/athletes/Lindsey-Vonn" title="Lindsey Vonn">Lindsey Vonn</a>? The man at 320+ pounds surely would have gravity on his side on the downhill course.<br /></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.theskichannel.com/news/skinews/20090720/Shaq-vs-Michael-Phelps-What-about-vs-Shaun-White-or-Lindsey-Vonn">Source</a> <br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3188381087547984694-4466515216948205882?l=swimlikemichaelphelps.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Jan Silanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08101505002421999429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188381087547984694.post-10617959856546692312009-12-13T18:06:00.000-08:002009-12-13T18:06:17.073-08:00Can Phelps continue where he left off? - Feature<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Rome - Can American swimming superstar Michael Phelps continue where he left off?No - but that is by his own choice as, unlike the Beijing Olympics, where he became the most successful Olympian of all times by winning eight gold medals and taking his personal tally to 14 Olympic gold and two bronze, Phelps has dropped two swims. <br /></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">His decision not to swim the 400 metre and 200m individual medley in Rome at the July 17 - August 2 FINA World Swimming Championships will have come as a welcome bonus to his rivals like Ryan Lochte, but he will still go into the water as favourite for his six other swims. The Baltimore-born swimmer, who returned to the North Baltimore Aquatic Club from Club Wolverine at the University of Michigan and teamed up with coach Bob Bowman after last year's Olympics, will be swimming in the 200m freestyle and the 100m and 200m butterfly, as well as the three relays. He could well already find himself under pressure on the first day of the swimming competition, which begins on Sunday, as the French 4x100m freestyle team, who narrowly missed out on a gold medal in Beijing, are expected to push the US team metre for metre. Although Phelps broke his own 100m butterfly world record in Indianapolis, he is expected to face tough opposition from Serbian Milorad Cavic, whom he beat by just one hundredth of a second in Beijing, while Hungarian Laszlo Cseh is expected to do well in the 200m butterfly. Another thing that could stop Phelps from adding six gold medals to the 17 he already has from the world championships is his swimsuit. At the US trials in Indianapolis a few weeks ago Phelps did not want to speak about swimsuits. "I am here to swim and not to have discussions about swimsuits," he brushed journalists off when asked about the new high-tech swimsuits. Last year in Beijing, Phelps swam in a Speedo LZR Racer, which at the time was the best and fastest there was as its polyurethane panels gave it a huge advantage over all other suits. Since then, other manufacturers have managed to produce even faster suits made entirely out of polyurethane and this has allowed a whole array of swimmers to post impressive times, while others like Australian Andrew Lauterstein, who finished third in Beijing behind Phelps and Cavic in the 100m butterfly, ditched the Speedo suit for a rival brand. Phelps lost his American short course 400m IM record to newcomer Tyler Clary and Phelps could be hard pushed by several swimmers wearing swimsuits from other companies. German 200m freestyle swimmer Paul Biedermann, whose time of 1:44.71 came close to Phelps' time at the US Championships in Indianapolis, however cautions against thinking Phelps will be beaten easily. "His world record is still nearly one and a half seconds faster. I think he can better the time he swam in Indianapolis." For many the fact that Phelps will be competing in Rome at all comes as a surprise. Many of his teammates decided to take time-out after Beijing and Phelps has only just returned from a three-month suspension imposed by USA Swimming after pictures of him using a bong, which is used for smoking marijuana, were published in an English newspaper. Rome could well be simply a stepping stone towards Phelps' ultimate goal: London 2012, where he is hoping to add to his glittering Olympic career. For US swimming coach Mark Schubert Phelps' presence in Rome is very important though. "I hope that he remains motivated. His presence alone creates a totally different atmosphere and feeling amongst the fans and that is good for swimming." The 24-year-old said that he was eager to see the competition start. On his Facebook page Phelps wrote on Tuesday: "I'm in Riccione now with the U.S. national team for training camp. Im excited to be part of the team and looking forward to the world champs starting on Sunday in Rome."<br /></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/278436,can-phelps-continue-where-he-left-off--feature.html">Source</a><!-- google_ad_section_end --><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3188381087547984694-1061795985654669231?l=swimlikemichaelphelps.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Jan Silanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08101505002421999429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188381087547984694.post-23746405027982267082009-12-13T18:05:00.001-08:002009-12-13T18:05:28.253-08:00Shaquille O'Neal head to head with Michael Phelps and Serena Williams<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Basketball star Shaquille O'Neal is going head-to-head with Olympic swimmer <a href="http://draft.blogger.com/celebrities/Michael_Phelps">Michael Phelps</a> and Wimbledon champ <a href="http://draft.blogger.com/celebrities/Serena_Williams">Serena Williams</a>, trying to beat them at their own sport.<br /><br /><br /></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The 7ft 1in player is filming a new reality TV series, in which he faces off with other sports stars, doing a crash-course in their chosen fields before they compete.<br /></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Called Shaq Vs, the show will feature boxer Oscar de la Hoya, baseball star Albert Pujols and Olympic volleyball gold medallists Kerri Walsh and <a href="http://draft.blogger.com/celebrities/Misty_May-Treanor">Misty May-Treanor</a>, in addition to Phelps and Williams.<br /></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">US TV network ABC has already picked up five hour-long episodes, but O'Neal is pushing for a sixth as he tries to woo seven-time Tour De France winner <a href="http://draft.blogger.com/celebrities/Lance_Armstrong">Lance Armstrong</a> to come on board.<br /></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">It's an ambitious concept for the 38-year-old basketball player, who will be filmed training for just one week before each challenge.<br /></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">He'll also negotiate a handicap with each opponent to level the playing field.<br /></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">O'Neal will executive produce the project, which launches in the US on August 18.<br /></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.theinsider.com/news/2569353_Shaquille_O_Neal_head_to_head_with_Michael_Phelps_and_Serena_Williams">Source</a> <br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3188381087547984694-2374640502798226708?l=swimlikemichaelphelps.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Jan Silanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08101505002421999429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188381087547984694.post-34987820917123760302009-12-13T07:47:00.000-08:002009-12-13T07:47:08.515-08:00ESPY Winners 2009: Michael Phelps Biggest Winner<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Last night saw the ESPY Awards ceremony aired, which took place at the Nokia Theater in Los Angeles last Wednesday 15th July, with veteran Hollywood actor Samuel L. Jackson as the evening’s host. And there were definitely some deserving winners.<span id="more-12937"></span><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">According to <a href="http://dailycontributor.com/espy-awards-2009-results-phelps-and-liukin/6239/">Daily Contributor</a>, there appeared to be one individual that was the biggest winner of the night. And that individual was multiple Olympic gold medalist Michael Phelps, who walked away with not one or two, but four awards of the night.<br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Not only did he take home the award for Best Male Athlete, which golfer Tiger Woods has won for five years in a row, but he also took home awards for Best Male Olympian, Best Championship Performance and one for Best Record-Breaking Performance.<br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="http://www.inentertainment.co.uk/20090720/espy-winners-2009-michael-phelps-biggest-winner/">Source</a> <br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3188381087547984694-3498782091712376030?l=swimlikemichaelphelps.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Jan Silanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08101505002421999429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188381087547984694.post-2707518737736987132009-12-13T07:46:00.001-08:002009-12-13T07:46:38.389-08:00ESPY Awards 2009: Michael Phelps wins Four<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">In last week’s ESPY Awards ceremony here in Los Angeles at Nokia Theater, aired over the weekend, viewers were surprised to see Michael Phelps, disgraced Olympian and pot smoking swimmer, leave the night with four awards. Phelps took home the award for Best Male Athlete, which golfer Tiger Woods has won for five years in a row, and awards for Best Male Olympian, Best Championship Performance and Best Record-Breaking Performance. <br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Riotous host Samuel L. Jackson joked early on about Phelps, “Nobody gives you a hard time when you smoke the competition.” Wyclef Jean repeated the phrase, “Smoke the competition like Mike Phelps,” in a song.<br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">In the category of Best Female Athlete, Nastia Lukin beat out Serena Williams, Maya Moore of U Conn, Candace Parker, and Natalie Couglin. Nastia Lukin is Team USA Olympic women’s all-around gold medal winner.<br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">In the category of Best Game the nominees were: the 2009 Super Bowl, the six-OT game in this year’s Big East basketball tournament between Syracuse and U Conn and Nadal vs. Federer in the 2008 Wimbledon final. The Super Bowl came out on top.For Best Upset, the nominees included last season’s Oregon State victory over USC, the Tampa Bay Rays beating the Red Sox in the ALCS to get into the World Series, USA Soccer’s recent upset of Spain in the Confederations Cup and Mine That Bird’s win at the Kentucky Derby. The winner was USA Soccer. <br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Overall, the show was entertaining in spite of some real winners losing to lesser athletes merely to keep the ratings up.<br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="http://www.popdecay.com/2009/07/20/espy-awards-2009-michael-phelps-wins-four/3017">Source</a> <br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3188381087547984694-270751873773698713?l=swimlikemichaelphelps.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Jan Silanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08101505002421999429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188381087547984694.post-36887772713521277832009-12-13T07:45:00.000-08:002009-12-13T07:45:04.138-08:00Respite just what the doctor ordered for swimmer Ryan Lochte<div class="" id="storyBodyContent" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> For Ryan Lochte, who is accustomed to spending six hours a day in the pool, a dry weekend of doing nothing proved to be the key to reviving his season.<br />He is hoping that second wind will carry him through the FINA swimming world championships, starting Sunday in Rome, where the stars from the Beijing Olympics will reconvene for more records in their super-fast, super-controversial swimsuits.<br />Lochte was paddling through the spring, feeling tired and uninspired. He was trying to forget one of the worst meets of his career, in Charlotte, N.C., where he failed to make the final in two events. <br />He decided to make a visit home to Daytona Beach. Lochte, 24, who went to the University of Florida, lives and trains in Gainesville.<br />``I went home to my family and we sat around, ate pizza and wings, chilled out by the pool, drank a few cold ones, had some laughs,'' Lochte said.<br />Lochte's father, Steve, a club and collegiate coach in Daytona Beach and Lochte's childhood coach, didn't question Lochte about his slump or offer any advice. The only fatherly command he gave was that Lochte not go surfing. <br />``When I'm home we try not to discuss swimming,'' Lochte said. ``The less I talk and think about swimming the better off I'll be.''<br />The brief respite worked wonders. At Lochte's next meet, in Santa Clara, Calif., he beat Michael Phelps to win the 100-meter backstroke, won the 200 back and 400 individual medley and finished second in the 100 butterfly.<br />Lochte continued his climb this month at the U.S. nationals and world team trials in Indianapolis by winning the 400 IM in a 2009 world-best time of 4:06.40 and the 200 IM in U.S. Open record time of 1:54:56, and finishing second to Aaron Peirsol in the 200 backstroke. Peirsol broke Lochte's world record in the event with a time of 1:53.08.<br /><strong>POST-OLYMPIC BLAHS</strong><br /><strong></strong>It was a year of post-Olympic blahs for Lochte, but he's finding his groove now and feels capable of winning medals in all his events, plus relays.<br />``A world record would be awesome,'' said Lochte, a 12-time Olympic and world medalist. ``I haven't done a ton of training for it, but it's possible.''<br />Lochte's coach, Gregg Troy of UF, said Lochte could do what he did two years ago at worlds in Melbourne, Australia, when he dethroned Peirsol, setting a world record in the 200 back and ending Peirsol's seven-year winning streak in the event.<br />``Ryan is a little race shy this year,'' Troy said. ``The reality is that when you're looking toward the 2012 Olympics, 2009 is not of paramount importance. But we want to get a good feel for where the world is at this point.''<br />Lochte plans to wear a Speedo LZR suit in Rome.<br />``I try not to pay much attention to the whole suit discussion unless they say my suit is banned,'' Lochte said. ``Then I won't wear a suit at all.''<br />But FINA's decision to allow swimmers in Rome to use almost all models of the high-tech suits that reduce drag and improve buoyancy is one of Troy's pet peeves. <br /><strong>A NASCAR-TYPE SPORT</strong><br /><strong></strong>``We've become more of a NASCAR-type sport,'' Troy said. ``There are definitely suits that provide a strategic advantage. The swimming federations haven't had the fortitude to make decisions unpopular with swimsuit manufacturers.''<br />One thing different about worlds for Lochte is that he won't be matched head-to-head with Phelps, who is swimming the 100 and 200 butterfly and the 200 freestyle. The two are often described as rivals -- they are friends and relay teammates, too -- and Lochte might have been the man to prevent Phelps' record haul of eight golds in China. But then Lochte got sick and his plans went slightly awry.<br />``The only thing I wish I could change was me getting sick,'' Lochte said of the Beijing Olympics. ``I made the mistake of using tap water to brush my teeth and got a really bad stomach flu -- started Aug.5 until Aug.11 and my first race was Aug.9.<br />``I tried not to let it affect me, but it was a bummer.''<br />Lochte took bronze medals in the 200 and 400 IMs -- his best shots at beating Phelps. He also won gold in the 200 back in the world record time of 1:53.94 and gold in the 800 freestyle relay.<br /><strong>NOT FOCUSED ON PHELPS</strong><br /><strong></strong>``I focused on beating Michael, and that took me away from just racing,'' Lochte said. ``I became a swimmer/thinker rather than a racer. I won't make that mistake again. It shouldn't matter whether it's Michael or someone else.''<br />Troy agreed that the preoccupation with Phelps might have cost Lochte.<br />``We've given up some higher spots trying to beat Michael,'' Troy said. ``Those Olympic bronzes could have been silvers if Ryan had been swimming for second, but we designed our strategy to beat Michael. It's a fast world. You can't let your guard down.''<br />No doubt Lochte will see proof of that in Rome. And after Rome, he's ready for more R&R.<br />``I'm going somewhere exotic, like Hawaii,'' he said. ``This time, lots of surfing.'' <br /><a href="http://draft.blogger.com/goog_1260719076052"><br /></a><br /><a href="http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/other/story/1150176.html">Source</a><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3188381087547984694-3688777271352127783?l=swimlikemichaelphelps.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Jan Silanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08101505002421999429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188381087547984694.post-91961286721721272992009-12-13T07:44:00.001-08:002009-12-13T07:44:34.136-08:00Shaq challenges Michael Phelps in new ABC reality series<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">NBA star <strong>Shaquille O'Neal </strong>will jump in a pool this summer and actually attempt to beat <strong>Michael Phelps </strong>in a swimming competition for a new reality series ordered by <a href="http://abc.go.com/" target="_blank">ABC</a>.<br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">"Shaq Vs.," premiering Aug. 18, will pit the new <a href="http://www.cleveland.com/cavs/index.ssf/2009/06/cavs_reportedly_reach_deal_for.html" target="_blank">Cleveland Cavaliers center</a> against a number of top athletes outside of his NBA comfort zone, forcing the 7 ft 1 inch baller to be competitive in multiple sports beyond the basketball court.<br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Production begins Wednesday in Pittsburgh, where Shaq takes on Super Bowl-winning <a href="http://www.steelers.com/" target="_blank">Steelers</a> quarterback <strong>Ben Roethlisberger</strong> in football.<br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">In addition to facing Baltimore's 14-time Olympic gold medal swimmer, Shaq will battle <a href="http://www.wimbledon.org/en_GB/index.html" target="_blank">reigning Wimbledon champ</a> <strong>Serena Williams </strong>in tennis, retired boxer <strong>Oscar De La Hoya</strong>, <a href="http://stlouis.cardinals.mlb.com/index.jsp?c_id=stl" target="_blank">St. Louis Cardinals</a> first baseman <strong>Albert Pujols </strong>and Olympic <a href="http://www.mistyandkerri.com/" target="_blank">beach volleyball stars</a> <strong>Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh</strong>.<br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Shaq is also trying to recruit <strong>Lance Armstrong </strong>for "Shaq Vs." once the cyclist is done competing in the <a href="http://www.letour.fr/2009/TDF/COURSE/us/le_parcours.html" target="_blank">Tour de France</a>.<br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Each episode will begin with preliminary challenges, then move on to banter from news conferences, one-on-one time with needy kids, and O'Neal and his famous opponent negotiating a handicap. The shows will culminate with Shaq's face-off with his guest star, usually on the athlete's home turf.<br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">So what does the winner get? Not cash. "Bragging rights are always better than any monetary prize," O'Neal tells USA Today.<br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">O'Neal says he came up with the idea as a fun way to get in shape for the NBA season. (ABC secured the Cavaliers' blessing to borrow O'Neal until he's scheduled to report for NBA training camp Sept. 15.)<br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The hoops star also believed sports fans "would really want to see an athlete play another sport." He knew most of the athletes and recruited some of them on Twitter, according to USA Today.<br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">ABC, meanwhile, jumped at the pitch. "He's very playful, almost everyone can relate to him. He has a fun sort of childish persona, and at the same time he's a superstar," the newspaper quotes of <strong>John Saade</strong>, co-chief of ABC's reality programming. "Our real hope is you come for the absurdity but you stay for the sport."<br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Shaq expects to be somewhat competitive in each of the challenges, although he's "not that skilled at tennis" or in a baseball home-run derby, he admits. He believes football and swimming will be his strongest suits.<br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">A huge part of the show will be good ol' "trash talking," according to O'Neal, but "when it comes to competing, there is no joking."<strong> </strong><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="http://draft.blogger.com/goog_1260719041473"><strong><br /></strong></a><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><strong><a href="http://www.examiner.com/x-8357-DC-TV-Examiner%7Ey2009m7d20-Shaq-challenges-Michael-Phelps-in-new-ABC-reality-series">Source</a><br /></strong><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3188381087547984694-9196128672172127299?l=swimlikemichaelphelps.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Jan Silanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08101505002421999429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188381087547984694.post-36415098432793322512009-12-13T07:43:00.004-08:002009-12-13T07:43:59.651-08:00Will Phelps and Co. Take Gold in the 400 Free Relay at Worlds?<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">The 13<sup>th</sup> FINA World Swimming Championships will be held July 26-Aug. 2 in Rome. With the competition in the pool less than a week away, we take a look at some of the questions that will be answered at Stadia del Nuoto.<br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><b>Who will win the showdown in the men’s 400m free relay, part deux?</b> <br />Not to sound too much like Rowdy Gaines prior to the start of last year’s now-legendary Olympic race, but on paper, it’s hard to see any way the U.S. can win this one.<br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">The French have five guys this year who have swum the 100-meter free in under 48 seconds. The Americans, meanwhile, have one– Jason Lezak – and he will not be competing in Rome. (Instead, he chose to compete at the Maccabiah Games in Israel, where he recently set a meet record of 47.78 in the 100m free). After that, the next-fastest guy this year is Nathan Adrian, who popped a 48.00 in Indy a week and a half ago. <br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">So at first glance, it would seem the Americans are up against the wall. But if races were settled on paper, the French would have been celebrating their Olympic gold last year.<br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">There are definitely glimmers of hope. Michael Phelps and Garrett Weber-Gale have not yet swum close to their lifetime bests (47.51 and 47.78, respectively) – and keep in mind that Phelps has been training very effectively for these shorter events. His recent world record in the 100m fly is proof of that, even if he did scratch from the 100 free at Nationals. <br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">But it’s not up to just those two. Everyone is going to have to step up their game quite a bit to compete with the French juggernaut. <br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Can they do it?<br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Well, the Americans have a penchant for relay upsets – from the 1976 Olympic women’s 400 free relay, to the 1984 Olympic men’s 800 free relay to last year’s triumph in Beijing.<br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">You just never know what will happen when the racers are head-to-head, pride is on the line, the adrenaline is kicking in and they’re being pulled along in the wake of a hulking human speedboat.<br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><b>So what about the suits?<br /></b>Yep, it’s the topic that won’t go away.<b><o:p></o:p></b><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Will the new generation of super suits ruin this World Championships and the sport forever, or are they just a means by which the sport will become faster, less predictable and more exciting?<br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">There’s not a whole lot we can add to either side of the argument that hasn’t been argued already. If you think you have something new and insightful to say regarding the suits, by all means, type it up in the comments section below.<br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">At this point, there’s really nothing anyone can do about the whole situation, so there’s no point dwelling on it too much. In fact, the athletes themselves have no other choice but to pick a suit and get ready to compete. All we can do is watch and see what happens – whether we choose to enjoy the meet or not probably depends on which side of the argument you fall on. <br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Two thoughts concerning the suits before we sign out, however:<br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">First, it is our observation that the suits didn’t have much bearing on who made the U.S. World Championships Team in Indy. By and large, the people who made the team were pretty much members of the 2008 Olympic Team, the U.S. National Team or were otherwise on the radar. There was no instance of some kid donning a super suit and magically dropping 10 seconds to make the team from out of nowhere. If there were any surprises at all, there weren’t any more than there have been at any other selection meet. It seems the suit can only carry you to a point.<br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Next, the three world records that fell at Nationals – the men’s 100m fly, 100m back and 200m back – fell at the hands of Michael Phelps and Aaron Peirsol, two guys we expect to break records on a consistent basis, special suit or no. And for those who need to be reminded, Peirsol broke both his records in a leg suit, not the full-body models that are bones of contention. As for the American records that were broken at Nationals, the swimmers who broke them have been on track or on the radar to do so for quite a while. Again, there was no instance of someone donning a super suit, coming out of nowhere and dropping 10 seconds to break one of these records.<br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">We predict the same thing will happen at worlds. There won’t be many surprises. All the usual suspects will win medals; all the usual suspects will break records. Because when it comes down to it, it’s the athlete who will have to swim the race, not the suit. <br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">The sad thing is, however, if some young swimmer comes out of nowhere in a race or two to take down a Michael Phelps or Aaron Peirsol, the suit will get all the credit – right or wrong. And if such a thing happens, the real tragedy is there is every reason to doubt and debate. Hopefully FINA will get its act together very soon and end the doubt once and for all.<br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><a href="http://www.swimnetwork.com/blogs/blog/20090720/will_phelps_and_co__take_gold_in_the_400_free_relay_at_worlds_-2528.html">Source</a> <br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3188381087547984694-3641509843279332251?l=swimlikemichaelphelps.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Jan Silanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08101505002421999429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188381087547984694.post-71725548480841237292009-12-13T07:43:00.002-08:002009-12-13T07:43:32.491-08:00Michael Phelps shown love at ESPY Awards 2009<div class="article_sub" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Olympics, LA Lakers and Pittsburgh Steelers highlight the winners at the ESPY Awards 2009</div><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><i style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Joe Anello</i><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /> <div class="content" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> For those of you who thought they were watching the 2008 Summer Olympics all over again, don’t worry. You’re not caught in a temporal time-warp. Instead of gold medals, Michael Phelps was taking home ESPY Awards at last Wednesday’s taping. <br />Airing last night, the 17th Annual ESPY Awards was hosted by Samuel L. Jackson at L.A.’s Nokia Theatre. Phelps was the man of the night, thanks to his eight-gold medal performance at the Beijing games and some dedicated fan voting. He took home five 2009 ESPYs, including the headlining Best Male Athlete, beating out Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, and NASCARs Jimmie Johnson. <br />Phelps’s other awards came for Best Moment for his relay team’s dramatic finish, Best Championship Performance, Best Record Breaking Performance, and Best US Male Olympian. Continuing the Olympic love-fest, some of Phelps’s US brethren took home ESPY’s of their own. <br />Gymnast Nastia Liukin was voted Best Female Athlete for her gold-medal showing in the 2008 Olympic Individual All-Around competition. <br />Her teammate, Shawn Johnson, won for Best US Female Olympian. 42-year-old swimmer Dara Torres was awarded Best Comeback, as she sat out during the 2004 games, only to return with a silver-vengeance in the 2008 contests. <br />The NBA and NFL were shown some love as well at the 2009 ESPYs, with their respective champions winning some additional hardware. <br />Pittsburgh Steelers Ben Roethlisberger and Santonio Holmes won Best Play for their Super Bowl XLIII winning touchdown connection. That same battle against the Arizona Cardinals won Best Game. <br />Fresh off their five-game series victory over the Orlando Magic, the Los Angeles Lakers continued the momentum in their hometown. Coach Phil Jackson won the year’s Best Coach-Manager award while his team received the night-ending Best Team trophy. <br />Here are some other awards of note: <br />Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan was voted Best Breakthrough Athlete for his tremendous rookie season. Florida Gator quarterback Tim Tebow and Connecticut Huskie forward Maya Moore received Best Male and Female College Athlete. <br />Tiger Woods was voted Best Golfer, Albert Pujols Best Baseball Player, and Roger Federer and Serena Williams Best Male / Female Tennis Player. <br />Nelson Mandela was awarded the Arthur Ashe Courage Award, and Northern State college basketball Coach Don Meyer received the Jimmy V Award for Perseverance. <br />Meyer, the NCAA’s all-time men’s winning-est basketball coach, was hospitalized in September 2008 after a near-fatal car crash that took one of his legs. During emergency surgery following the accident, it was discovered that he had cancer in his liver and legs. <br />His arduous road to recovery exemplifies the late Jim Valvano’s courageous “Don’t ever give up” speech at the first annual ESPYs in 1992. Not even two months later, Valvano died of cancer. The Jimmy V Award is named in his honor. <br /><b>Our Take:</b> <br />It’s great to see the Olympics getting some well-deserved love. It apparently has not been long enough for anyone to forget how Phelps’s historic run made us all eagerly stare at our screens. Marijuana or not, the fans still love him. <br />While Nastia Liukin completely deserved to win the award, I must say it was lukewarm competition at best. No offense to Natalie Coughlin, but the only US swimmer of note whose name wasn’t Michael Phelps was Dara Torres. College Basketball’s Maya Moore did not have the hype of 2004 winner Diana Taurasi or the 2008 recipient Candace Parker. Serena Williams and the WNBA’s Parker were the only marquee names on the ballot. <br />In funny and fitting fashion, the only MLB player to win an award was Albert Pujols. He took home Best Baseball Player. Hah. Steroids have left a bad taste in fans’ mouths, despite their increased attendance. <br />Still, solid ESPY award show. Since it was taped ahead of time, they could edit down the extraneous jibber-jabber and give me more shots of uber-gorgeous Danica Patrick. That’s all I needed. <br />What about you? Did you vote for the ESPY’s? Did your favorite athletes take home the trophies? <br />(Oh, and Kobe got robbed.)<br /><br /><a href="http://www.collegenews.com/index.php?/article/phelps_is_shown_love_at_espy_awards_072020097890/">Source</a> <br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3188381087547984694-7172554848084123729?l=swimlikemichaelphelps.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Jan Silanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08101505002421999429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188381087547984694.post-37217156597165161582009-12-13T07:43:00.000-08:002009-12-13T07:43:02.305-08:00Shaq to face Phelps, Pujols and De La Hoya in new reality show<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="ysp-player"><a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/players/847/">Shaquille O'Neal</a><a class="ysp_playernote_icon" href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/players/847/news" id="ysp_playernote_nba.p.847">(notes)</a></span> has been a busy, busy man this off-season. He was traded from Phoenix to Cleveland in June, <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/blog/ball_dont_lie/post/Shaq-s-the-latest-to-pay-tribute-to-Michael-Jack?urn=nba,177256">filmed a Michael Jackson video tribute</a> shortly after the King of Pop's death, and visited Beijing a week ago, where he juggled Chinese children, <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/blog/ball_dont_lie/post/Photo-Apparently-Shaq-lives-every-week-like-it?urn=nba,176320">dunked on a shark</a> and nursed a panda back to health. Very productive stuff.<br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Up next on his agenda: starring in "Shaq Vs.", <a href="http://www.usatoday.com/life/television/news/2009-07-19-shaquille-reality-show_N.htm">a new ABC reality series</a> that will see The Big Twitter take on other top athletes in their own sports.<br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">According to USA Today, filming begins Wednesday in Pittsburgh, where Shaq takes on Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger in football. Future hour-long episodes will pit him against Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps, retired boxer Oscar De La Hoya, <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/teams/stl/">St. Louis Cardinals</a> slugger Albert Pujols, tennis pro Serena Williams and beach volleyball Olympians Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh. <br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">(Please tell me Shaq's volleyball partner will be <span class="ysp-player"><a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/players/3121/">Zydrunas Ilgauskas</a><a class="ysp_playernote_icon" href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/players/3121/news" id="ysp_playernote_nba.p.3121">(notes)</a>.)</span><a href="" name="remaining-content"></a><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><img border="0" src="http://a323.yahoofs.com/ymg/ept_sports_nba_experts__28/ept_sports_nba_experts-436961055-1248108710.jpg?ymmSjmBDIxABkXcY" /><br />O'Neal says he also hopes to book Lance Armstrong for a cycling competition once the Tour de France ends, and while that's all fine and dandy and croissants, it's pretty obvious which "dream match-up" ABC needs to make happen: <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/blog/ball_dont_lie/post/Dana-White-Shaq-wants-to-fight-Brock-Lesnar-?urn=nba,176709&cp=20">Shaq vs. Brock Lesnar</a>.<br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/blog/ball_dont_lie/post/Shaq-to-face-Phelps-Pujols-and-De-La-Hoya-in-ne?urn=nba,177536">Source</a> <br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3188381087547984694-3721715659716516158?l=swimlikemichaelphelps.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Jan Silanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08101505002421999429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188381087547984694.post-32826923965919282412009-12-13T07:40:00.000-08:002009-12-13T07:40:15.618-08:00Shaq to swim against Michael Phelps on ABC<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> <br /></div><div class="entry-body" sizcache="6" sizset="5" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">After flopping a couple summers ago with weight-loss series "Shaq's Big Challenge," the network is once again launching a reality series with the basketball star. In "Shaq Vs.," Shaquille O’Neal will compete against top-name athletes at their own sports. <br />The network has lined up a pretty impressive array of names for Shaq to battle. He'll swim against Michael Phelps, play football with Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, play tennis vs. Serena Williams, beach volleyball with Kerri Walsh and Misty May-Treanor and box Oscar de la Hoya, among others. <br />Given the talent he's facing, however, how does the show not devolve into Shaq losing each episode? <br /></div><div class="entry-more" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> From the release: <br />“These athletes may be on top of their game, but I am up for the challenge,” said O’Neal. “I plan to train hard and win, so look out.”<br />“Shaq is the only one with the athletic skills and personality to carry this unique project,” said John Saade and Vicki Dummer, co-heads of Alternative Series, Specials and Late-Night, ABC Entertainment Group. “It’s Shaq versus the best athletes in the world, competitors who aren’t afraid of the challenge….or Shaq’s humor.”<br />The one-hour series will premiere Aug. 18. Media Rights Capital, in association with dick clark productions, will produce.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.thrfeed.com/2009/07/shaq-to-swim-against-michael-phelps-on-abc.html">Source</a> <br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3188381087547984694-3282692396591928241?l=swimlikemichaelphelps.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Jan Silanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08101505002421999429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188381087547984694.post-92196849494075704402009-12-13T07:39:00.002-08:002009-12-13T07:39:45.180-08:00Phelps Smokes the Competition at ESPYs<span style="font-size: small;"></span><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Less than six months after shocking the sport world, bonghitter <a href="http://draft.blogger.com/200904121918/celebstoners/top-celebstoners/michael-phelps-voted-top-celebstoner.html" target="_self" title="CelebStoner"><strong>Michael Phelps</strong></a> was showered with five 2009 ESPY Awards - for Best Male Athlete, Male Olympic Athlete, Record-Breaking Performance, Championship Moment and Moment (shared with his relay team) - all due to the eight medals he won at last summer's Olympics. <br /><br /><a href="http://draft.blogger.com/200904121918/celebstoners/top-celebstoners/michael-phelps-voted-top-celebstoner.html" target="_self" title="Michael Phelps"><img alt="Michael Phelps" height="121" src="/images/stories/MichaelPhelps_beard2.jpg" style="float: left; margin: 5px;" width="100" /></a>Host Samuel L. Jackson joked early about Phelps, "Nobody gives you a hard time when you smoke the competition." And Wyclef Jean repeated the phrase, "Smoke the competition like Mike Phelps," in a song.<br /><br />Phelps thanked his mom, Debbie, who accompanied him, his coach Bob Bowman and fans, explaining: "This all started with a dream, to do something no one has ever done before... Have a good one."<br /><br />"Super Bowl Stoner" <a href="http://draft.blogger.com/200901241290/sports/sporting-highs/santonio-holmes-super-bowl-stoner.html" target="_self" title="CelebStoner"><strong>Santonio Holmes</strong></a> shared the Best Play award with Ben Roethlisberger and the Best Game award (Super Bowl XLIII) with his Pittsburgh Steeler teammates. Jamaican sprinter <a href="http://draft.blogger.com/200904121924/news/celebstoner-news/usain-in-the-membrane.html" target="_self" title="CelebStoner"><strong>Usain Bolt</strong></a> won for Best International Athlete.<br /><br /><span><strong>Complete list of ESPY winner <a class="blank" href="http://promo.espn.go.com/espn/specialsection/espys2009/#/bestof/" onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackEvent ('outgoing','click','promo.espn.go.com/espn/specialsection/espys2009/#/bestof/');" target="_blank" title="ESPN">here</a></strong></span></span><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><strong><a href="http://www.celebstoner.com/200907202600/news/celebstoner-news/phelps-feted-at-espys.html">Source</a> </strong></span><br /></span><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3188381087547984694-9219684949407570440?l=swimlikemichaelphelps.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Jan Silanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08101505002421999429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188381087547984694.post-57972617091282340902009-12-13T07:39:00.000-08:002009-12-13T07:39:13.408-08:00ESPN’s 2009 ESPY Awards: ‘Environmentality’ & Michael Phelps Win Big, Carmelo Anthony Hangs Out<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Last night’s ESPYS proved that <a href="http://www.newsoftheworld.co.uk/news/150832/14-times-Olympic-gold-medal-winner-Michael-Phelps-caught-with-bong-cannabis-pipe.html" jquery1260718670125="123" modo="false" target="_blank">Michael Phelps (Best Male Athlete) isn’t the only athlete who’s fond of the green stuff</a>. This year, the ESPYS pulled out all the stops to practice a term they have dubbed <i><a href="http://promo.espn.go.com/espn/specialsection/espys2009/#/environmentality/" jquery1260718670125="124" modo="false" target="_blank">environmentality</a></i>. Changes were made in all aspects of the production in order to minimize the impact this event had on the planet, starting with the all-important red carpet. This re-useable red carpet, which tennis greats <a href="http://theybf.com/index.php/2009/07/16/espy-awards-red-carpet/" jquery1260718670125="125" target="_blank">Venus and Serena Williams strutted down</a> was made from 51,000 plastic soda bottles. To further reduce the carbon foot print made by this awards show, the ESPYS promised to plant a tree for every person who attended – maybe two for captain of the best team winner, Kobe Bryant, who at 6’6 may leave a just a slightly larger carbon footprint than the rest of us.</span><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><em>Mia</em></span><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><em><a href="http://www.beanstockd.com/beanstockd/2009/07/20/espns-2009-espy-awards-environmentality-michael-phelps-win-big-carmelo-anthony-hangs-out/5830">Source</a> <br /></em></span><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3188381087547984694-5797261709128234090?l=swimlikemichaelphelps.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Jan Silanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08101505002421999429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188381087547984694.post-78767177939202687332009-12-13T07:37:00.001-08:002009-12-13T07:37:29.413-08:00I had threesome with Michael Phelps claims dancer Theresa White<span style="font-size: small;"></span> <div align="justify" id="story" style="border: 0px solid; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; padding: 7px;"> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: small;"><strong>New Delhi: </strong>Olympic swimming sensation star <span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD2">Michael Phelps</span> is not having a good time yet even if he broke a world record just last week in 100 metres butterfly at the US Championships <span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD4">in Indianapolis</span>. Now, a lap dancer named Theresa White has claimed that Michael had three some with dancer in last November. </span><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: small;">She has revealed many truths about Phelps in an exclusive interview done by <strong>newsoftheworld.co.uk</strong> website. She says Phelps instantly changed his tune when shocking pictures of him (Phelps) puffing on a marijuana bong as he celebrated his record Beijing gold medal haul.</span><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: small;">"I saw Michael after the photos were published in February and he got really upset. He turned to me and said, ''I can't believe that happened. I'm terrified my career will be over.' He was almost in tears."</span><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: small;">After all the glory of scooping eight golds at the Beijing games the drugs scandal earned American swim star Phelps a three-month ban, which ended this week.</span><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: small;">He celebrated his return to sport on Tuesday and dived straight into bed with sexy Theresa....</span><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.mynews.in/news_details.php?storyid=22044#">Source</a><br /></span> <br /></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3188381087547984694-7876717793920268733?l=swimlikemichaelphelps.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Jan Silanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08101505002421999429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188381087547984694.post-52591533244165030192009-12-13T07:36:00.001-08:002009-12-13T07:36:52.563-08:00Tampa Bay Rays Tales: Carl Crawford's celebrity life, from All-Star Game MVP to red carpet at ESPYs<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">C<b>arl Crawford</b> wanted some attention, and he got it. Tuesday, Crawford's making the catch to win the All-Star MVP award and talking all over national TV. Wednesday, he's private-jetting to L.A. and walking the red carpet at the ESPYs, chatting up <b>Michael Phelps</b>, checking out stars such as <b>Kobe Bryant</b>, <b>Mike Tyson</b>, <b>Danica Patrick</b> and the <b>Williams</b> sisters. "I was in the clouds for a couple days," Crawford said. "I enjoyed everything. I soaked up the moment. I had fun with it all."<br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The ESPYs experience was exciting, giving Crawford a chance to be part of the athletic elite. And the timing couldn't have been better, the show taping the day after his All-Star efforts. (ESPN even did a promo for tonight's telecast with an anchor joking that Crawford deserved a better seat.)<br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">"Who didn't I see?" Crawford said. "It was everybody you could think of pretty much."<br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Crawford hung out in the VIP room, got the gift bag (about $20,000 worth of celeb goodies such as electronics, clothes, video games, jewelry) and walked the red carpet with teammate <b>David Price</b>, doing the whole pictures-and-interviews thing.<br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">"It was perfect being with C.C.," Price said. "He was a hot commodity out there."<br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">As cool as he tried to be, Crawford admitted he wasn't totally at ease amid the rich and/or famous. He first saw Phelps in the hotel elevator but wasn't comfortable approaching the swimming star. <br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">"I was a little starstruck and shy," Crawford said. "But I opened up a little more later when we met in the VIP room and talked to him, and that was really cool."<br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Overall, Crawford said the best word for his week was whirlwind: "That's what it was all right."<br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>The f</b>ame game<br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>Carl Crawford</b> hadn't even made it back to his locker after Tuesday's game when the Hall of Fame asked for the cap he was wearing when he made the catch. Crawford was happy to oblige and now has three items on display in Cooperstown. The Hall already has his road jersey from the World Series and his cleats from the May 3 record-tying six stolen base game. <br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">"Carl's had quite a run of Hall of Fame moments in the last 10 months," Hall official <b>Brad Horn</b> said. "From his performance during the World Series to stealing six bases in a game to earning All-Star Game MVP honors, the Hall of Fame now has nearly an entire Crawford uniform to represent these achievements. At this point, the only thing missing is Carl himself."<br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>More fame</b><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The Rays are repped a couple of other ways in Cooperstown beyond a mention on <b>Wade Boggs</b>' plaque. Items presently on display include: the 1998 inaugural game lineup card, Boggs' 3,000th hit jersey, <b>Fred McGriff</b>'s 400th homer bat, <b>Jose Canseco</b>'s 400th home run helmet and <b>Rocco Baldelli</b>'s first home run ball. There also is a World Series exhibit that includes a <b>Joe Maddon</b> cap, <b>B.J. Upton</b> cleats and ALCS bat, <b>Willy Aybar</b>'s ALCS Game 7 home run ball and, yes, a cowbell.<br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>All about Evan</b><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>Evan Longoria</b> also enjoyed the ESPYs experience, meeting actor <b>Jeremy Piven</b> (<b>Ari Gold</b> from HBO's <i>Entourage</i>), Lakers <b>Luke Walton</b> and <b>Jordan Farmar</b><b>,</b> and getting a close-up look at <b>Michael Phelps</b>, <b>Serena Williams</b> and actor <b>Demi Moore</b>. He even had a paparazzi moment. When he arrived at Los Angeles' airport, there was a driver holding an "E LONGORIA" sign and a camera crew from TMZ, the celeb news chasers. He handled it well, joking when someone off-camera suggests they were expecting actor <b>Eva Longoria</b> then saying: "I shouldn't be on TMZ. I'm not a celebrity." It didn't go as well for ESPN's <b>Chris Berman</b>, who was standing nearby and is seen grousing about not getting any attention.<br /><br /><b>Rays rumblings</b><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Not offering SS <b>Julio Lugo</b> bigger bucks in July 2006 looks pretty good now given how his four-year, $36 million deal in Boston turned out. … Look for some type of celebration of <b>Carl Crawford</b>'s All-Star award when the Rays return home. … ESPN's <b>Buster Olney</b> ranks the Rays' remaining schedule sixth toughest of nine AL contenders. … Agent <b>Scott Boras</b> says there has been no movement on top draft pick <b>LeVon Washington</b>, and he expects talks to push the Aug. 17 signing deadline. … If you're really into E<b>van Longoria, </b>he revealed some highly personal info the other day: He bites his nails. … Irony of the All-Star MVP award: Among the Rays' 16 first-half ESPN Web Gems, Crawford didn't have any. … Joe Maddon's Twitter post before the second-half opener: Need at least 5 & 5 trip … The All-Star Game parade was <b>Ben Zobrist</b>'s first since Eureka (Ill.) High homecoming. … A retractable roof is right for a new stadium, though it's not going to be open often. Given a choice, it has to be a dome over open air.<br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>Got a minute?</b> Matt Garza<br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>Best meal you can make? </b>Scrambled eggs and chorizo (a spicy sausage).<br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>Band you'd like to be on stage with?</b> A rock band because they have a lot more fun, like Nickelback.<br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>Must-see TV? </b><i>The Simpsons</i> or <i>George Lopez</i>.<br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>What about the "resemblance" to the Duke Blue Devil mascot (see above)?</b> That's all Brian Anderson and Andrew Friedman. Whatever. Most people get compared to other people. I get compared to a mascot.<br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>Dream date? </b><b>Megan </b>Fox. I want to see her tattoos.<br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /><br />[Last modified: Jul 18, 2009 08:59 PM]<br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="http://draft.blogger.com/goog_1260718481606"><br /></a><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="http://www.tampabay.com/sports/baseball/rays/article1019668.ece">Source</a><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3188381087547984694-5259153324416503019?l=swimlikemichaelphelps.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Jan Silanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08101505002421999429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188381087547984694.post-14207608367342159432009-11-06T11:00:00.000-08:002009-11-06T11:00:01.797-08:00ESPY Fashion Face-Off: Samuel L. Jackson vs. Michael Phelps<span style="font-size: small;"></span><div itxtvisited="1" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The 2009 ESPY Awards, which air this Sunday night but were taped earlier this week, honor the best in sports, beauty and, apparently, <a href="http://www.thehollywoodgossip.com/2009/07/giant-boob-alert-kobe-bryant-wifes-cleavage/">gigantic breasts</a>.</span><br /></div><div itxtvisited="1" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The event was hosted by Samuel L. Jackson, who always brings another element any place he goes: total and utter coolness.</span><br /></div><div itxtvisited="1" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">But was this actor even the coolest person on the red carpet? Swimming champion Michael Phelps appears to have something to say about that.</span><br /></div><div itxtvisited="1" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Take a look at each star below and answer the question that follows:</span><br /></div><div itxtvisited="1" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.thehollywoodgossip.com/gallery/samuel-l-jackson-pic/"><img alt="Samuel L. Jackson Pic" height="359" src="http://static.thehollywoodgossip.com/images/gallery/samuel-l-jackson-pic_236x359.jpg" width="236" /></a><a href="http://www.thehollywoodgossip.com/gallery/michael-phelps-at-the-espys/"><img alt="Michael Phelps at the ESPYs" height="359" src="http://static.thehollywoodgossip.com/images/gallery/michael-phelps-at-the-espys_240x359.jpg" width="240" /></a></span><br /></div><div itxtvisited="1" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><em itxtvisited="1">[Photos: Splash News]</em></span><br /></div><div itxtvisited="1" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><strong itxtvisited="1">Who looked cooler at the ESPY Awards?</strong></span><br /></div><div itxtvisited="1" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div itxtvisited="1" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><strong itxtvisited="1"><a href="http://www.thehollywoodgossip.com/2009/07/espy-fashion-face-off-samuel-l-jackson-vs-michael-phelps/" style="font-weight: normal;">Source</a> <br /></strong></span><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3188381087547984694-1420760836734215943?l=swimlikemichaelphelps.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Jan Silanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08101505002421999429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188381087547984694.post-31659167299724933512009-11-06T10:00:00.000-08:002009-11-06T10:00:01.893-08:00Phelps still man to beat, says Magnini<span style="font-size: small;"></span><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">ROME, July 16, 2009 (AFP) - Italian 100m freestyle world champion Filippo Magnini admitted on Thursday that American rival Michael Phelps is still the top dog in the pool.</span><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Magnini is gunning for a third straight world title in the 100m freestyle having triumphed in Montreal four years ago and in Melbourne in 2007.</span><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">But he said that 14-time Olympic gold medallist Phelps's absence from the 100m would be a bonus for himself.</span><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">"I'm not here to come second and I know my opponents well. As for Phelps I'm truly happy he's not doing the 100m freestyle, he'd be one more competitor," Magnini told a press conference here.</span><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">"For sure he's the man to beat but this year I've already put him in trouble twice.</span><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">"I'm sure he feels my presence, here in my home country everyone knows I'm not here for second place."</span><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">However, even if Phelps had been racing, Magnini doesn't think the American, who won a record eight gold medals in the pool at last year's Olympics in Beijing, would have won.</span><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">He won't be there because he pulled out of the US trials last month due to a stiff neck.</span><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">"Of course I'm not disappointed (that Phelps isn't doing the 100m freestyle). He was one of the best, also at 100m, but not this year," added the Italian.</span><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">"I think he understood that he wouldn't have won and the stiff neck was just an excuse."</span><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">While the world champion won't have Phelps to worry about, he will be pitted against Frenchman Alain Bernard and world record holder Eammon Sullivan of Australia.</span><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Between those two they lowered the world record three times from 47.50 seconds to 47.05 seconds in Beijing and Magnini, whose own best time is 48.11sec, believes that mark will be lowered here below 47 seconds.</span><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">"It's probable, although I hope not. For sure I'm going to need to hold something back at the start, something I always do in my races," he said.</span><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">"If in the final I can stay with the others over the first 50m and then I can do a second half as I did at the Olympics, the fastest of all time, I'll be there or thereabouts."</span><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://draft.blogger.com/goog_1257405193563"><br /></a></span><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/211311/phelps-still-man-beat-says-magnini">Source</a><br /></span><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><!-- /CONTENT --><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3188381087547984694-3165916729972493351?l=swimlikemichaelphelps.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Jan Silanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08101505002421999429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188381087547984694.post-34104826465124241962009-11-06T09:00:00.000-08:002009-11-06T09:00:03.564-08:00Roundup<span style="font-size: small;"></span><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Swimmer Michael Phelps, a Rodgers Forge native and Fells Point resident, set an ESPYs single-year record Wednesday night in Los Angeles by winning five awards: Best Male Athlete, Best Championship Performance, Best Record-Breaking Performance, Best Moment (as part of the 1,600-meter Olympic relay) and Best U.S. Male Olympian. PGA standout Tiger Woods, who had received Best Male Athlete the previous five years, had held the single-year record with four awards. Phelps has six career ESPYs. The show will be televised on ESPN on Sunday at 9 p.m.</span><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://articles.baltimoresun.com/2009-07-17/sports/0907160109_1_ticketmaster-male-athlete-single-game">Source</a><br /></span><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><!-- Module ends: a-body-first-para--><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3188381087547984694-3410482646512424196?l=swimlikemichaelphelps.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Jan Silanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08101505002421999429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188381087547984694.post-25398821119000463882009-11-06T07:00:00.000-08:002009-11-06T07:00:00.288-08:00Michael Phelps & Celebs Show Team Spirit at Espy Awards<span style="font-size: small;"></span><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Athlete of the Year <strong>Michael Phelps</strong> as well as <strong>Jeff Gordon</strong>, <strong>Kobe Bryant</strong> and more of sports biggest stars joined <strong>Jeremy Piven</strong>, <strong>Rob Lowe</strong>, and other celebs at the 17th Annual Espy Awards -- and ET was there! </span><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">ET's <strong>Kevin Frazier</strong> spoke to the athletes and celebs backstage after the show about the night's big winners, but the stars also opened up about their memories of <strong>Michael Jackson</strong>, and their reactions to the video footage of his accident on the set of a Pepsi commercial in 1984. </span><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">"It's kind of amazing what that guy has accomplished, he was just such a genius" <strong>Jeremy Piven</strong> says about the late King of Pop. "There was no one like that guy, and it's all been documented so we get to watch it over and over again." </span><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">"Oh, I remember it," <strong>Rob Lowe</strong> adds about Michael's accident while filming the Pepsi commerical. "I remember driving through the valley and all the people swarming the Sherman Oaks Burn Center where they took him." </span><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">ET also spoke with Michael Phelps, who was named Athlete of the Year. </span><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">"It's weird," he says about winning the award over athletes like Kobe Bryant and <strong>Lebron James</strong>. "I think swimming has actually finally come somewhere, it's changed. The fans and the people are watching us, and supporting us. It's something I've always wanted to happen." </span><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Watch the video to hear from more of your favorite stars backstage at the Espy Awards. </span><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.etonline.com/news/2009/07/76450/">Source</a><br /></span> <br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3188381087547984694-2539882111900046388?l=swimlikemichaelphelps.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Jan Silanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08101505002421999429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188381087547984694.post-4764468770609087392009-11-06T06:00:00.000-08:002009-11-06T06:00:05.367-08:00DWTS Wish List: Michael Phelps, Maria, Kobe<span style="font-size: small;"></span><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><strong>Maria Sharapova</strong>, get on the dance floor. You are wanted for season nine of <em>Dancing With the Stars</em>.</span><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">"I want to see those outfits on her," professional dancer <strong>Tony Dovolani</strong> told us yesterday at the ESPY Awards in downtown L.A. "I want to design every single one. I'm going to approach her about it tonight!"</span><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Last season's disco-ball-winning champ <strong>Shawn Johnson</strong> echoed Tony's thoughts: "I think Maria Sharapova would be <em>awesome</em> for the show!"</span><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Other superstar athletes had their names dropped for potential recruitment, as well…</span><br /></div><!-- internal videos / html on top --><!-- external videos / html on top --><!-- audio player --><!-- gallery preview--><!-- custom polls --><!-- movie review grade wrapper (can't think of a better way to do this) --><!-- movie review grade --> <div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">"They need someone high profile like <strong>Kobe</strong>," season seven's <strong>Misty May-Treanor</strong> said. "Mix it up a little bit. Don't wait until they're retired."</span><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Shawn also agreed the show needs greater star power. "I would really love to see a big name like <strong>Michael Phelps</strong> or <strong>Shaun White</strong>," she said.</span><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">And while we have no idea what stars will really be cast for next season, we <em>do</em></span> know that some exciting changes for the show are in the works.<br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">"They are going to mix things up a bit to make the show more interesting," Tony said. "There are going to be more partners, there are going to be more types of dances, and I think they're going to allow some lifts and stuff. We'll see who lifts who."</span><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.eonline.com/uberblog/marc_malkin/b134462_dwts_wish_list_michael_phelps_maria_kobe.html">Source</a><br /></span> <br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3188381087547984694-476446877060908739?l=swimlikemichaelphelps.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Jan Silanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08101505002421999429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188381087547984694.post-32616037843369547682009-11-06T05:00:00.000-08:002009-11-06T05:00:02.825-08:00All eyes set on Phelps at swimming worlds<span style="font-size: small;"></span><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> <br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Swim fans hoping to see Michael Phelps attempt another unprecedented podium haul will have to set their sights a little lower.</span><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The American star, who broke compatriot Mark Spitz's 36-year-old mark by winning a remarkable eight gold medals during last year's Beijing Olympics, doesn't plan the same ambitious run at the world aquatics championships in Rome.</span><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Still, there is enough of Phelps to go around.</span><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">"Don't expect to see another Beijing, but expect a dominant performance nonetheless," CBC Sports swim analyst Byron MacDonald told CBCSports.ca.</span><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The swimming competition, beginning Sunday, July 26, will see Phelps only take part in individual events — 100 and 200-metre butterfly and 200 freestyle — where he's heavily favoured.</span><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Dubbed the Baltimore bullet, Phelps will also compete in the all three relay events — 4x100 and 4x200 freestyle, along with the 4x100 medley relay — giving him the opportunity at yet another gold rush.</span><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">After serving a three-month suspension following the publication of a picture apparently showing Phelps using marijuana, the Olympic champion was understandably rusty in losing some races during his return in May, including the 100 freestyle to Canadian Brent Hayden last month.</span><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Phelps, however, came back with a vengeance in the recently completely U.S. trials by smashing the 100 butterfly world record (50.22 seconds) set by fellow American Ian Crocker (50.40) six years ago.</span><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">"He's basically staying with the three races that are gimmes," said MacDonald. "He's the world-record holder in the 100 butterfly, has owned the 200 butterfly for years and there really hasn't been anybody close to him in the 200 freestyle."</span><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">There is one caveat that MacDonald feels could be an issue for Phelps, who still sports Speedo's Lazer swimsuit.</span><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">An Italian manufacturing company designed a suit made completely out of polyurethane, a rubberized material approved by swimming's governing body FINA in January.</span><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Phelps is expected to stay with Speedo, which has developed a similar suit but has yet to launch its new product.</span><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">"If Phelps stays with the Speedo, his 100 bufferfly competitors like [Serbian Milorad] Cavic will be gaining three to five/10ths of a second on him, and that may be the difference between the gold and silver."</span><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.cbc.ca/sports/amateur/story/2009/07/16/sp-phelps-world-aquatics.html">Source</a><br /></span> <br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3188381087547984694-3261603784336954768?l=swimlikemichaelphelps.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Jan Silanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08101505002421999429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188381087547984694.post-68744860267649325542009-11-06T04:00:00.000-08:002009-11-06T04:00:00.684-08:00Phelps still man to beat: Magnini<span style="font-size: small;"></span><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> <br /></div><div class="KonaBody" itxtvisited="1" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><div class="storydiv" id="storydiv" itxtvisited="1"> <div class="Normal" itxtvisited="1"><span style="font-size: small;">ROME: Italian 100m freestyle world champion Filippo Magnini admitted on Thursday that American rival Michael Phelps is still the top dog in the </span><table align="left" class="cnt" itxtvisited="1" style="margin-right: 6px; margin-top: 3px; width: 310px;"><tbody itxtvisited="1"><tr itxtvisited="1"> <td id="bellyad" itxtvisited="1" style="padding-left: 3px;"> <div class="mainimg" itxtvisited="1"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="javascript:openslideshownew('/slideshow/4786414.cms?imw=460','541','526')"><img ag="" alt="Filippo Magnini" border="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" src="http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/thumb.cms?msid=4786414&width=300&resizemode=4" title="Filippo Magnini" /></a></span> <div class="zoomimg" itxtvisited="1"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="javascript:openslideshownew('/slideshow/4786414.cms?imw=460','541','526')"><img border="0" src="http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/photo/4764554.cms" /></a></span></div></div></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="left" class="cnt" itxtvisited="1" style="clear: both; margin: 0px 10px 0px 0px; width: 200px;"><tbody itxtvisited="1"></tbody></table><span style="font-size: small;">pool. <br itxtvisited="1" /><br itxtvisited="1" />Magnini is gunning for a third straight world title in the 100m freestyle having triumphed in Montreal four years ago and in Melbourne in 2007. <br itxtvisited="1" /><br itxtvisited="1" />But he said that 14-time Olympic gold medallist Phelps's absence from the 100m would be a bonus for himself. <br itxtvisited="1" /><br itxtvisited="1" />"I'm not here to come second and I know my opponents well. As for Phelps I'm truly happy he's not doing the 100m freestyle, he'd be one more competitor," Magnini told a press conference here. <br itxtvisited="1" /><br itxtvisited="1" />"For sure he's the man to beat but this year I've already put him in trouble twice. <br itxtvisited="1" /><br itxtvisited="1" />"I'm sure he feels my presence, here in my home country everyone knows I'm not here for second place." <br itxtvisited="1" /><br itxtvisited="1" />However, even if Phelps had been racing, Magnini doesn't think the American, who won a record eight gold medals in the pool at last year's Olympics in Beijing, would have won. <br itxtvisited="1" /><br itxtvisited="1" />He won't be there because he pulled out of the US trials last month due to a stiff neck. <br itxtvisited="1" /><br itxtvisited="1" />"Of course I'm not disappointed (that Phelps isn't doing the 100m freestyle). He was one of the best, also at 100m, but not this year," added the Italian. <br itxtvisited="1" /><br itxtvisited="1" />"I think he understood that he wouldn't have won and the stiff neck was just an excuse." <br itxtvisited="1" /><br itxtvisited="1" />While the world champion won't have Phelps to worry about, he will be pitted against Frenchman Alain Bernard and world record holder Eammon Sullivan of Australia. <br itxtvisited="1" /><br itxtvisited="1" />Between those two they lowered the world record three times from 47.50sec to 47.05sec in Beijing and Magnini, whose own best time is 48.11sec, believes that mark will be lowered here below 47sec. <br itxtvisited="1" /><br itxtvisited="1" />"It's probable, although I hope not. For sure I'm going to need to hold something back at the start, something I always do in my races," he said. <br itxtvisited="1" /><br itxtvisited="1" />"If in the final I can stay with the others over the first 50m and then I can do a second half as I did at the Olympics, the fastest of all time, I'll be there or thereabouts." </span></div></div><!-- google_ad_section_end --> <script language="javascript">var zz=0;var sldsh=0; var bellyaddiv = '<table class="cnt" align="left" width="310" style="margin-top:3px;margin-right:6px"><tr><td id="bellyad" style="padding-left:3px;"></td></tr></table><table class="cnt" width="200" align="left" style="clear:both;margin:0 10px 0 0;"></table>';sldsh=1;var wid;var im; var stindex=100; var stp=150; var taglen=0; var tmp; var tagcheck = new Array("div","span","br","font","a"); var storycontent = document.getElementById("storydiv").innerHTML; var firstpara = storycontent.substring(0,storycontent.toLowerCase().indexOf("")).toLowerCase(); function findptt(cnt){ zz++; if(zz == 10)return; var xxx=-1,yyy=-1; var ccnt = cnt; for(ii=0; ii < tagcheck.length; ii++){ xxx = ccnt.indexOf("<"+tagcheck[ii]); if(xxx != -1 && xxx < 150){ stp = stp; var tmp1 = ccnt.substring(ccnt.indexOf("<"+tagcheck[ii]),ccnt.length); yyy = tmp1.indexOf(">"); if(yyy != -1){ taglen += yyy; stp = stp + yyy; yyy+=1; } break; taglen = taglen + tagcheck[ii].length + 3; } } if(xxx == -1 || xxx >= 150){ return; }else{ var tmp2 = ccnt.substring(0,xxx); tmp2 += ccnt.substring((yyy+xxx),ccnt.length); findptt(tmp2); } }findptt(firstpara); if(firstpara.length <= taglen + 150){ stp = firstpara.length; } var tmpminus=0; var tmpcon = storycontent.substring(0,stp); if(tmpcon.lastIndexOf("<") < tmpcon.lastIndexOf(">")){ }else{ tmpminus = tmpcon.length - tmpcon.lastIndexOf("<"); } stp = stp - tmpminus; tmpcon = storycontent.substring(0,stp); stp = tmpcon.lastIndexOf(' '); tmpcon = storycontent.substring(0,stp) +" "+ bellyaddiv + storycontent.substring(stp,storycontent.length); if(sldsh == 0 && doweshowbellyad != 1){}else{ document.getElementById("storydiv").innerHTML = tmpcon; } </script></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><script type="text/javascript">var agnme = ''; var imgid = '4786414'; var capt = ''; var cnt='1'; var ttl='Filippo Magnini'; wid='541'; im='460'; var b1=""; var b2=""; var hid="526"; if(cnt > 1){ if(wid=='1024') b1 = '<div><a class="normtxt1" target="_blank" href="/photo.cms?msid='+imgid+'">More Pictures</a></div>'; else b1 = '<div><a class="normtxt1" href="javascript:openslideshownew(\'/slideshow/'+imgid+'.cms?imw='+im+'\',\''+wid+'\',\''+hid+'\')">More Pictures</a></div>'; } if(wid=='1024') var b2 = '<div class="mainimg"><a target="_blank" href="/photo.cms?msid='+imgid+'" ><img border="0" src="/thumb.cms?msid='+imgid+'&width=300&resizemode=4" marginwidth=0 marginheight="0" vspace="0" alt="'+ ttl +'" title="'+ ttl +'" ag="'+ agnme +'"></img></a><div class="zoomimg"><a target="_blank" href="/photo.cms?msid='+imgid+'"><img src="http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/photo/4764554.cms" border="0"/></a></div></div><div style="font-size:11px;padding-right:5px;color:#9C9C9C;">'+ capt +'</div>'; else var b2 = '<div class="mainimg"><a href="javascript:openslideshownew(\'/slideshow/'+imgid+'.cms?imw='+im+'\',\''+wid+'\',\''+hid+'\')" ><img border="0" src="/thumb.cms?msid='+imgid+'&width=300&resizemode=4" marginwidth=0 marginheight="0" vspace="0" alt="'+ ttl +'" title="'+ ttl +'" ag="'+ agnme +'"></img></a><div class="zoomimg"><a href="javascript:openslideshownew(\'/slideshow/'+imgid+'.cms?imw='+im+'\',\''+wid+'\',\''+hid+'\')" ><img src="http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/photo/4764554.cms" border="0"/></a></div></div><div style="font-size:11px;text-align:left;padding-right:5px;color:#9C9C9C;">'+ capt +'</div>'; bellyad.innerHTML = b2 + b1; </script><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/SPORTS-More-Sports-Aquatics-Phelps-still-man-to-beat-Magnini/articleshow/4786411.cms"> Source</a><br /></span> <br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3188381087547984694-6874486026764932554?l=swimlikemichaelphelps.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Jan Silanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08101505002421999429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188381087547984694.post-42794222161712467582009-11-06T03:00:00.000-08:002009-11-06T03:00:04.400-08:002009 ESPY Award recipients<span style="font-size: small;"></span><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">LOS ANGELES-The 17th annual ESPY Awards took place in Los Angeles tonight to honor the best star athletes and memorable moments in sports from the past year.</span><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Hosted by actor Samuel L. Jackson, the awards ceremony took place at L.A. LIVE's Nokia Theatre.</span><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">This year, Olympic champion Michael Phelps ended Tiger Woods' 5-year reign as Best Male Athlete by swimming away with the 2009 title — in addition to Best Record-Breaking Performance, Best Championship Performance, and Best Male Olympian.</span><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow won the 2009 Best College Athlete Award to become the only two-time winner in the category (he also won in 2008). Other winners named this year include Lebron James as Best NBA Player, Jimmie Johnson as Best Driver, and Larry Fitzgerald as Best NFL Player.</span><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Cable sports channel <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/news/story?id=3493330" target="_blank">ESPN</a> started the ESPY Awards in 1993 by allowing sports fans worldwide to join in an online vote for their favorites in such categories as Best Male Athlete, Best Female Athlete, Best Coach/Manager, and Team of the Year. Unlike most awards shows, the ESPYs are probably most noted for its contribution to charity, as a portion of the proceeds is donated to The V Foundation, named for its founder, Jim Valvano.</span><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The Arthur Ashe Courage Award is another ESPY highlight, honoring an individual for their personal courage or charitable works outside the sports arena, with past winners including such trailblazers as Muhammad Ali and tennis star Billie Jean King.</span><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The ESPY Awards will air on ESPN on Sunday July 19 at 9PM. Click <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/news/story?id=3493330" target="_blank">here</a> for complete list of the 2009 ESPY Award recipients.</span><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.examiner.com/x-15803-LA-Urban-Entertainment-Examiner%7Ey2009m7d15-2009-ESPY-Awards-recipients">Source</a><br /></span> <br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3188381087547984694-4279422216171246758?l=swimlikemichaelphelps.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Jan Silanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08101505002421999429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188381087547984694.post-7110743038348635382009-11-06T02:00:00.000-08:002009-11-06T02:00:00.751-08:00All the stars come out for the ESPYs<span style="font-size: small;"><br style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;" /></span><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">It's a good thing athletes don't rely on a teleprompter and a good thing the ESPY awards broadcast scheduled for Sunday on ESPN was recorded Wednesday night at the Nokia Theatre LA Live. It will provide an opportunity for some cleanup.</span><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">As host Samuel L. Jackson said after he stood dumbstruck for a moment on stage, "I wish I had learned the monologue. Then I wouldn't have to stand here waiting on the monitor. Play some more music. Please."</span><br /></div><!-- Module ends: a-body-first-para--><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Eventually the teleprompter lit up and the ESPY awards show was able to go on. Lakers fans will want to tune in to the 6 p.m. telecast Sunday because a certain NBA team that wears purple and gold won the best team trophy. And Michael Phelps fans will want to tune in because the Olympic swimmer seemed to win just about everything else.</span><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Fans vote for the awards and 13 were handed out. Phelps, who won best male athlete, also won four others.</span><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The awards show was created by the cable sports network as a way to fill program time in the dog days of summer, but it has become a popular meet-and-greet crossover time with Hollywood stars mingling with famous athletes.</span><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">In one moment, "Entourage" actor Jeremy Piven said, "Sorry I'm not a professional athlete," followed by Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (winner of breakthrough athlete) saying he would have loved to have had a part in a Rashida Jones movie while Jones, who is the daughter of Quincy Jones and had a prominent role in "The Office" sitcom, blushed as she stood next to Ryan.</span><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">And there were touching moments. Tennis sisters Venus and Serena Williams offered a tribute to Nelson Mandela, who received the Arthur Ashe courage award. </span><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Mandela's daughter Zindzi and grandson Zondwa accepted the silver trophy from the Williams sisters and Zindzi drew a laugh when she congratulated the U.S. soccer team for shocking the world in South Africa last month when it upset Spain.</span><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Actor Rob Lowe had the honor to present the Jimmy V Perseverance award to Northern State University men's basketball Coach Don Meyer. Meyer survived an automobile accident in which he lost his left leg. </span><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">During surgery to repair internal damage from the crash, doctors also discovered Meyer had cancer. But Meyer coached this season from a wheelchair and earned the evening's loudest ovation Wednesday.</span><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice presented the award for best female athlete to Olympic all-around gold medalist Nastia Liukin, who looked a little shocked to have beaten out Serena Williams.</span><br /></div><!-- Module ends: a-body-after-first-para--><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">As Liukin said, "To say the least I was surprised to win. Even watching my video up there gave me goose bumps. That was enough for me. To win an ESPY, there aren't many words for that." </span><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Actress Demi Moore offered the trophy for best male athlete to Phelps. The Olympic swimmer who won eight gold medals in the pool, then was caught on camera appearing to inhale from a bong, seems to have won back fan approval.</span><br /></div><!-- Module ends: a-body-first-para--><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The night's best running gag was Jackson's checking out fake Twitter messages, for example Phelps supposedly tweeting, "Can't believe I lost the Arthur Ashe Award to Nelson Mandela. I can swim circles around that guy." </span><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Jackson also goofed on a couple of the young quarterbacks in the audience, Georgia's Matthew Stafford (who was drafted by Detroit) and USC's Mark Sanchez (drafted by the New York Jets). </span><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">"Matthew Stafford is here," Jackson said. "Once you actually play for the Lions, they stop inviting you. And, Mark, I admire you for leaving USC early. Most players wouldn't want to take the pay cut."</span><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">But at least for locals, the best came last. Stevie Wonder made the presentation to the season's best team and Kobe Bryant, surrounded by several teammates including Derek Fisher, accepted the trophy and thanked Jerry Buss first. </span><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">That might have been the smartest move of the night.</span><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://articles.latimes.com/2009/jul/16/sports/sp-sports-media16?pg=2">Source</a><br /></span> <br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3188381087547984694-711074303834863538?l=swimlikemichaelphelps.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Jan Silanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08101505002421999429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188381087547984694.post-14772913025267078652009-11-06T01:00:00.000-08:002009-11-06T01:00:02.647-08:00Michael Phelps gets the job done in Indianapolis<span style="font-size: small;"></span><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Not long ago, the media was oversaturated with headlines about Michael Phelp’s losses (and by “losses” I mean second place finishes) in meets such as the Grand Prix and Charlotte UltraSwim.</span><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">It was the typical thing you’ll see when the media frames a story or person in a particular way and that same storyline gets repeated by several sources. Naturally, the overwhelming majority of the stories painted a less than flattering picture of the Olympian.</span><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Maybe in a backwards way, it was a compliment. Phelps undeniably made history so yes, it would be a big deal when he finishes a meet with anything but a gold medal.</span><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">“Compliment” or not, he’s human, as in not a machine. But what he has proven himself to be is a champ. He rose to the occasion at the US nationals in Indianapolis and set himself up nicely for the finals.</span><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">To start things off, Phelps moved fluidly through the pool and put up the fastest times in the 200 free and the 200 butterfly. His times of 1:46.31 in the free and 1:55.36 in the fly reminded athletes and spectators alike that he holds the world record in both events. </span><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">"Typical prelim swims," Phelps said, as reported in Reuters. "I'm probably happier about the 200 fly, maybe I just needed one to get going.”</span><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">By the time nationals wrapped up on Saturday, Phelps had victories in the 100m and 200m butterfly and the 200 free and in the process, punched his ticket to the world championships in Rome. </span><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Breaking the 100 butterfly world record with a 50.22s performance was just the icing on the cake to what some consider a comeback; although, it was typical for a swimmer who has been consistently breaking world records since he was 15.</span><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">"I felt like some things were finally coming together," Phelps told the Baltimore Sun. </span><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The USA teams are set to head for worlds which begin on July 26 and Phelps will probably be on three relays, giving him the chance to win 6 medals. At the last worlds in 2007, Phelps was able to come away with seven medals and team USA won an impressive 36.</span><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">"It's going to be real challenging to be close to our medal count in 2007," said Mark Schubert, director of USA swimming. "This is more of a building year for us."</span><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Regardless of the medal count, with Phelps coming off breaking a world record, it’s sure to be spectacular.</span><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.jocklife.net/news/olympics/michael-phelps-gets-job-done-indianapolis-27459">Source</a><br /></span> <br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3188381087547984694-1477291302526707865?l=swimlikemichaelphelps.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Jan Silanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08101505002421999429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188381087547984694.post-74937831029923467482009-11-06T00:00:00.000-08:002009-11-06T00:00:03.523-08:00Phelps targets golden summer in Rome<span style="font-size: small;"></span><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana (AFP) — The longest layoff of Michael Phelps's career doesn't appear to have dimmed the swimming superstar's status as a gold-plated favorite heading into the World Championships later this month.</span><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Overall, however, the perennially strong United States team will have weaknesses to overcome on both the men's and women's sides.</span><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Phelps punched his ticket to Rome in the 100m and 200m butterfly and 200m freestyle.</span><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">His 100m butterfly victory in 50.22sec delivered a world record he had long coveted - and missed out on despite making it one of his eight victories at the Beijing Olympics.</span><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Phelps won't get a chance to try out his new 100m freestyle technique in Rome, after pulling out of the event at the US trials that ended Saturday with a stiff neck.</span><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">But coach Bob Bowman said that Phelps, in fact, wouldn't have swum in the 100m free in Rome anyway, preferring to focus on the 200m fly - an event in which Phelps has indicated he has "unfinished business."</span><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Phelps will almost certainly swim three relays, giving him six events as he bids to add to a collection that includes 15 world titles and 14 Olympic gold medals.</span><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">"He needs just a tiny bit of training the next couple days to help him finish his 200s better, then he'll just taper," Bowman said of Phelps's preparation for the swimming competition that starts in Rome on July 26. "He'll be ready to go."</span><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Also ready are Aaron Peirsol, who notched world records in the 100m and 200m backstroke, Ryan Lochte, the world number one in the 400m individual medley since Phelps has turned his attention from that event.</span><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Nathan Adrian, winner of the 50m and 100m free at the trials and breaststroker Eric Shanteauau are other key elements of the men's team.</span><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">But Bowman, who will also serve as the head coach of the US men's team, said that the Americans don't look as strong as the men who swept all before them at the 2007 World Championships.</span><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">"The 2007 world team was our best ever, and I don't think we're there," Bowman said. "We'll have a lot to prove at this meet."</span><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">One of those tests will come in the 4x100 freestyle relay. The United States won it in Beijing, led off by Phelps and anchored by Jason Lezak, who won't be in Rome.</span><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The depleted Americans will be hard pressed against France, which boasts five of the eight fastest 100m free swimmers this year.</span><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">"I think we're going to be challenged," said US team chief Mark Schubert. "I don't think we're going to go into that relay as favorites, but I think we're going to be very, very tough contenders."</span><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Dara Torres, 42, is the marquee name on the women's side, with Natalie Coughlin taking time off after the Beijing Games and struggling Katie Hoff failing to qualify.</span><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Torres, battling a sore left knee, is qualified only to swim the 50m free and relays.</span><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Otherwise the women's team is a mix of proven champions like Olympic 200m breaststroke gold medallist Rebecca Soni and youngsters such as Elizabeth Beisel and Elizabeth Pelton.</span><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Beisel is a veteran of international competition at 16, while 15-year-old Pelton has booked three individual events in her first trip to the World Championships.</span><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Like Bowman, Schubert said it would be difficult for the US to match its medal tally from the 2007 World Championships in Melbourne, where America won 20 gold, 13 silver and three bronze medals.</span><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">But he said in the post-Olympic year, as opposed to a pre-Olympic season, that was acceptable.</span><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">"This is more of a building year for us," Schubert said. "My view of the team is that if we can approach that in 2011, that's where we really want to have the benchmark. This is more of a developmental meet for us."</span><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Like the rest of the world, the US will wrestle with the question of the controversial polyurethane-based super suits that have whipped up controversy in the sport.</span><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">"They do make a difference," Bowman said as the US trials concluded. "It is what it is. I think we had a great meet here. People broke world records in a (non-polyurethane) LZR, people broke world records in other suits. I think it gets down to the racing and who is prepared."</span><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5j7nq22X0-Rsi7JjvOf5GW71wL7NA">Source</a><br /></span> <br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3188381087547984694-7493783102992346748?l=swimlikemichaelphelps.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Jan Silanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08101505002421999429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188381087547984694.post-45566853231732234392009-11-05T06:00:00.000-08:002009-11-05T06:00:06.974-08:00Phelps cruises through nationals, shapes up for worlds<span style="font-size: small;"></span><div class="inside-copy" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">At the world swimming championships, which begin July 26 in Rome, Michael Phelps won't tackle as ambitious a competition program as the one that gave him worldwide celebrity and a place in Olympic history in last year's Beijing Games.</span></div><div class="inside-copy" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Phelps' results still could be spectacular, based on his performance in the U.S. championships, which ended Saturday in Indianapolis.</span><br /></div><div class="inside-copy" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">That would be in stark contrast with the last time Phelps competed in worlds the year after winning a passel of Olympic medals. He won six gold and two bronze in the 2004 Athens Games, then, in the 2005 worlds, failed to qualify for the 400-meter freestyle final and finished seventh in the 100 freestyle.</span><br /></div><div class="inside-copy" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Granted, those events were off Phelps' normal program. In Rome, Phelps will compete in events only in which he is heavily favored as the reigning Olympic and world champion — the 100 and 200 butterfly and the 200 freestyle. He won all three in nationals, breaking a 4-year-old world record in the 100 butterfly.</span><br /></div><div class="inside-copy" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">"I don't think it takes him as long to get back in good shape as when he was younger," national team coach Mark Schubert said of Phelps, 24, who returned to training in March after a post-Beijing break, "and I think it's a tribute to a lot of hard work, not just this year, but previous years."</span><br /></div><div class="inside-copy" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Phelps is likely to swim in all three relays in Rome, giving him the potential for six golds. In Beijing, he won eight gold medals.</span><br /></div><div class="inside-copy" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Phelps considered swimming in the 100 freestyle, an event that will become part of his routine as he focuses on shorter races. But he had to withdraw from the 100 freestyle in nationals because a sore neck affected his ability to properly breathe while racing.</span><br /></div><div class="inside-copy" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The scheduling of the 100 freestyle in Rome also conflicted with the 200 butterfly. Phelps is eager to lower his world record in the 200 butterfly after a goggle problem in Beijing prevented him from posting the time he was aiming for there.</span><br /></div><div class="inside-copy" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">"My butterfly is probably a lot better than my freestyle is right now, so we were going to do the 200 no matter what," he said.</span><br /></div><div class="inside-copy" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">In the last worlds, in 2007, Phelps won seven golds, missing out on an eighth when the USA was disqualified in the final relay.</span><br /></div><div class="inside-copy" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The worlds in Rome will be more understated for Phelps, and for the U.S. team overall. U.S. swimmers won 36 medals in the 2007 worlds, 20 of them gold.</span><br /></div><div class="inside-copy" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">"It's going to be real challenging to be close to our medal count in 2007," Schubert said. "This is more of a building year for us."</span><br /></div><div class="inside-copy" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The U.S. men finished 1-2 in seven of the 17 events in 2007. Some of those men are retired or taking a break from swimming. Backstroker Aaron Peirsol still is in top form, though, setting two world records in nationals.</span><br /></div><div class="inside-copy" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Like Phelps, Dana Vollmer, Ryan Lochte and Eric Shanteau all qualified for worlds in three individual events.</span><br /></div><div class="inside-copy" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Two of the best in the 2007 worlds — Katie Hoff and Kate Ziegler — aren't on the women's team, and a third, Natalie Coughlin, is taking the year off.</span><br /></div><div class="inside-copy" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Dara Torres is back, making the worlds team at 42 in the 50 freestyle. She will join young swimmers such as 15-year-old Elizabeth Pelton (who qualified for worlds in the 100 and 200 backstroke) and 16-year-old Elizabeth Beisel (who won the 200 backstroke and 400 individual medley in nationals) in Rome.</span><br /></div><div class="inside-copy" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></div><div class="inside-copy" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.usatoday.com/sports/olympics/2009-07-12-phelps-shapes-up_N.htm">Source</a><br /></span> <br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3188381087547984694-4556685323173223439?l=swimlikemichaelphelps.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Jan Silanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08101505002421999429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188381087547984694.post-42363732269258679512009-11-05T05:00:00.000-08:002009-11-05T05:00:08.610-08:00Phelps Soaks In The CheersINDIANAPOLIS — INDIANAPOLIS -- Michael Phelps stood in line patiently for his name to be announced along with the rest of the U.S. swim team, wearing a baggy blue shirt and black Speedo hat, turned sideways in his typical casual style. When his name was finally called, the crowd inside the Indiana University Natatorium roared with appreciation and Phelps smiled a goofy grin and raised his arms in thanks.<br />The look on his face could have been interpreted any number of ways, but one of them seemed obvious: It was nice, once again, to have people interested in him for what he did in the pool, not out of it.<br />Phelps' performance at the U.S. nationals last week was a success on several levels. Not only did he qualify for the FINA world championships in three events, including setting a world record in the 100-meter butterfly (50.22 seconds), but he also gave people something to talk about besides whom he's dating and whether he had permanently damaged his reputation after he was photographed holding a bong at a South Carolina party after the Beijing Olympics.<br /><br />Phelps wasn't asked a single bong-related question during the week, the first meet where that has happened since his return, and the crowd in Indianapolis was as rabid as ever each time he swam, filling the natatorium to capacity each night he was in a final.<br />"I felt like some things were finally coming together," the Fells Point resident said.<br />Subway, the fast-food sandwich chain, even rolled out a new ad campaign featuring Phelps, letting the world know that a meatball sandwich with jalapenos helps fuel his intense workouts.<br />The only real setback during the week was a sore neck that kept him out of the 100-meter freestyle, an event he had hoped to swim as part of his transition to the sprint events.<br />"I was definitely disappointed, but I know there will be a lot more 100 freestyles in the future," Phelps said.<br />He was back in the pool the next day, swimming without pain, doing a 4,000-meter workout to tinker with his stroke and his turns in preparation for a trip to Rome in two weeks.<br />"He needs a tiny bit of training the next couple days to help him finish his 200s a little better," said Phelps' coach, Bob Bowman. "But his neck is a nonissue at this point."<br />Phelps' world record in the 100-meter butterfly wasn't a huge surprise, considering that he nearly broke Ian Crocker's four-year-old record three weeks ago at the Canada Cup in Montreal without shaving and tapering, but it was obvious it gave Phelps a sense of satisfaction.<br /><!-- Module ends: a-body-after-first-para-->FINA's decision to allow swimmers to wear nonpermeable rubber suits made by Arena, Jaked and blueseventy in competition for the rest of the year has clearly irked Phelps, although he repeatedly refused to talk about it. He conceded that something was motivating him at this meet but said he wanted to keep it to himself.<br />"That's going to stay inside of me," Phelps said. "You guys can ask all day, but that's going to stay inside of me."<br />The 24-year-old has a lucrative contract with Speedo, maker of last year's fast suit, the LZR Racer, and competing in it is thought to put him at a bit of a disadvantage in terms of speed. That made his world record all the more impressive.<br />"I know how important that record has been to him," said Mark Schubert, director of USA Swimming. "It's been a big challenge. That record stood for a long time, which I think says a lot about it. The suit technology has changed, but Michael broke it in a LZR."<br />Schubert said he wasn't that surprised to see Phelps get back to top form so quickly, even if Phelps and Bowman had their doubts it could happen when they began training five months ago.<br />"I think Michael took a well-deserved break [after Beijing], a substantial period of time, but he has such a good background, I don't think it takes him as long to get back in shape as when he was younger," Schubert said.<br />Bowman acknowledged that he wasn't sure whether Phelps would be ready to break a world record this year but that it was all the more satisfying when he did because it meant he has broken one every year since he was 15, except for 2005.<br />"I kind of throw out 2005 because of everything that went on," Bowman said, alluding to Phelps' post-Olympic time off, when he was charged with driving while intoxicated.<br />Phelps is attending the ESPYs this week in Los Angeles, hoping to win one for the first time in his career (he's nominated in multiple categories) and then he'll join the team in Italy for training camp. The world championships begin July 26. After Beijing, Phelps promised his mother, Debbie, that he would give her a trip to Rome as a gift, and despite a bumpy few months, he has now accomplished it.<br />"I'm excited to go over there," Phelps said. "I know my mom is looking forward to it. Someone actually gave me a book on Rome about sightseeing. I was like, 'Well, I'm probably not going to have too much time to use it. I'm going to be swimming the whole time.' "<br /><br /><a href="http://articles.baltimoresun.com/2009-07-13/sports/0907120085_1_phelps-100-meter-butterfly-swimming">Source</a> <br /><br /><br /><!-- Module ends: a-body-first-para--><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3188381087547984694-4236373226925867951?l=swimlikemichaelphelps.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Jan Silanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08101505002421999429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188381087547984694.post-22602109478130108452009-11-05T04:00:00.000-08:002009-11-05T04:00:00.310-08:00Michael Phelps' Dream Finally Comes True<span style="font-size: small;"></span><div class="" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">For the last four years, the memory had haunted him, the number 50.40 had tormented him as it was the race where Michael Phelps was handed the worst defeat of his career.</span><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">But since July 9th, the swimming prodigy can finally smile after erasing that painful scar for ever.</span><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Michael Phelps broke the world record for the 100m butterfly race at the U.S. National Championships and in doing so, regained the very record that was once his own.</span><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">2005 was the year which remained etched in Phelps’s memory as he was beaten heavily by compatriot Ian Crocker who swam away to glory in a record 50.40 seconds.</span><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">And since then it had been a journey of unwavering determination for the eight-time Beijing Olympic gold-medallist who had never learned to lose.</span><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Four years later, Michael Phelps’s dream finally came true inside the Indiana University Natatorium as he astounded everyone after touching the wall in a mind-boggling 50.22 seconds.</span><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">‘’This is something that I really, really wanted to accomplish,’’ Phelps said.</span><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">‘’Crock and I had a lot of great history, and a lot of great races with one another. I‘ve wanted that record ever since he took it in ’03 worlds….After the race, you could tell I was pretty fired up and excited.’’</span><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">True it was that the American was really eager and the anxiousness was very much obvious as an excited Phelps, on finishing, immediately took off his goggles, swim caps and glared at the scoreboard.</span><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">It took a long 15 seconds for him to fathom the truth as he broke into a smile after eventually realizing his dream.</span><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">In 2003 at the World Championships in Barcelona, Phelps had grabbed the 100m butterfly record for the first time with a timing of 51.47 seconds.</span><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">But even before he could savour his success, Ian Crocker smashed his record the very next night with an incredible 50.98 seconds.</span><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">But the worst was yet to come.</span><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Two years later at the 2005 World Championships in Montreal, Crocker humiliated Phelps by a margin of 1.25 seconds as he swam to an unprecedented 50.40 seconds and broke his own world record.</span><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Phelps now holds five individual world records: the 100m butterfly, the 200m butterfly, the 200m freestyle, the 200m individual medley and the 400m individual medley.</span><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">He has qualified for the World Championships later this month in the 100m and 200m butterfly and the 200m freestyle.</span><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">It’s likely that the gifted swimmer will also swim on three relays at the elite swimming event in Rome, beginning July 26th.</span><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://bleacherreport.com/articles/216563-michael-phelpss-dream-finally-comes-true">Source</a><br /></span> <br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3188381087547984694-2260210947813010845?l=swimlikemichaelphelps.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Jan Silanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08101505002421999429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188381087547984694.post-12634911083666320292009-11-05T03:00:00.000-08:002009-11-05T03:00:04.825-08:00Weekly SportsChumpdate: Michael Phelps, Jonathan Sanchez, Lance Armstrong, Brett Favre and moreMichael Phelps recently set the world record for the 100 meter butterfly at the US Swimming National Championships. On a related note, scientists have now found that marijuana can serve as both a depressant and a stimulant.<br /><br /><a href="http://blogs.creativeloafing.com/dailyloaf/2009/07/12/weekly-sportschumpdate-feat-michael-phelps-jordan-crawford-bob-kravitz-jonathan-sanchez-lance-armstrong-shawn-marion-brett-favre-manny-ramirez-phil-ivey-michael-jackson/">Source</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3188381087547984694-1263491108366632029?l=swimlikemichaelphelps.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Jan Silanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08101505002421999429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188381087547984694.post-30923718080501161222009-11-05T02:00:00.000-08:002009-11-05T02:00:07.973-08:00Swimming: Phelps sets 100 butterfly record<span class="dateline"><b>Indianapolis »</b></span><b> </b>Four months after deciding to keep swimming, Michael Phelps took ownership of a world record that had eluded him for years. <br />He won the 100-meter butterfly at the U.S. national championships Thursday night in 50.22 seconds, lowering Ian Crocker's mark of 50.40 set at the 2005 world championships in Montreal. <br />Phelps' feat came just two months after returning from a suspension that was part of the longest layoff of his career, which he considered ending when a photograph of him using a marijuana pipe surfaced. <br />"It really shows anything can happen if you put your mind to it," Phelps said. "It feels good to get a best time." <br />Phelps led at 50 meters with a split of 23.83, just three-tenths off world-record pace. Known for his strong finishes, the 14-time Olympic gold medalist pulled clear down the stretch to beat Tyler McGill, who touched in 51.06. Aaron Peirsol was third in 51.30. <br />In womens' events, former Skyline High swimmer Sara Nicponski placed fourth in the 100 breast at 1:06.76 behind Rebecca Soni's new American record time of 1:05.34.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.sltrib.com/ci_12806536">Source</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3188381087547984694-3092371808050116122?l=swimlikemichaelphelps.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Jan Silanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08101505002421999429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188381087547984694.post-76361053197391268802009-11-05T01:00:00.000-08:002009-11-05T01:00:02.097-08:00Phelps back in the water as sore neck improves<div class="hn-byline">(AFP) – <span class="hn-date">Jul 11, 2009</span><br /></div>INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana (AFP) — Michael Phelps was back in the water for light training on Saturday, a day after a sore neck prompted him to pull out of the 100m freestyle at the US swimming championships.<br />Opting out of the 100m free heats cost the 14-time Olympic gold medallist a chance to swim the event at the World Championships in Rome later this month.<br />But he and coach Bob Bowman felt it was more important not to take any chances with Phelps already qualified to swim the 100m and 200m butterfly and 200m freestyle at Worlds. Phelps, who won eight gold medals at last year's Beijing Olympics, will also almost certainly swim three relays in Rome.<br />Bowman said Phelps was at about "90 percent," and put in a "light workout" of about 4,000 yards.<br />Phelps woke with a stiff neck on Thursday, but swam through it to claim the 100m butterfly world record he had long coveted with a time of 50.22sec.<br />Eric Shanteau promised some fireworks for the final evening session of the trials when he posted an American record of 2min 08.43sec in the heats of the 200m breaststroke.<br />Ryan Lochte, the 200m backstroke world record-holder, was due to face off against former world record-holder Aaron Peirsol in that final, but it was Tyler Clary who notched the fastest qualifying time of 1:55.37.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5hYal8iQuHMvYcjR_QGFGxdjvTeww">Source</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3188381087547984694-7636105319739126880?l=swimlikemichaelphelps.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Jan Silanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08101505002421999429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188381087547984694.post-56030692478749222312009-11-05T00:00:00.000-08:002009-11-05T00:00:08.432-08:00Briefs | Michael Phelps breaks 100 fly world record<strong>Phelps breaks 100 fly world record:</strong> Michael Phelps broke the world record in the 100-meter butterfly at the U.S. national championships Thursday in Indianapolis, giving him ownership of five individual world marks.<br />The 14-time Olympic gold medalist swam the two-lap final in 50.22 seconds at the Indiana University Natatorium. He lowered Ian Crocker's mark of 50.40 set at the 2005 world championships in Montreal.<br />Phelps holds world records in the 100 and 200 flys, 200 and 400 individual medleys, and the 200 free.<br />Olympian Nathan Adrian from Bremerton won the men's 50 in 21.52, but he wasn't the fastest man in the pool.<br />Cesar Cielo of Brazil clocked 21.14 to win the 'B' final, where he and Fred Bousquet of France were relegated because only Americans are allowed in the 'A' final. Bousquet, the world-record holder, finished second in 21.36. Their times — the fastest ever on American soil — would have put them 1-2 in the event.<br />Rebecca Soni, the Olympic silver medalist, won the 100 breaststroke in an American-record time of 1:05.34. Former Olympic gold medalist Megan Jendrick of Tacoma was fifth in 1:07.40.<br />Dara Torres won the 50 free in 24.23 despite an ailing left knee that has a torn tendon and arthritis. She plans to have surgery later this summer.<br />Elizabeth Beisel qualified for her first world championships at 16 with a victory in the 400 individual medley. She finished in 4:36.31. Ariana Kukors from Auburn was fourth in 4:40.20. Amber McDermott of Mill Creek was sixth in 4:44.72. Andie Taylor of Issaquah was seventh in 4:45.77.<br /><br /><a href="http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/othersports/2009443148_digs10.html">Source</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3188381087547984694-5603069247874922231?l=swimlikemichaelphelps.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Jan Silanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08101505002421999429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188381087547984694.post-4078163827021832292009-08-26T20:26:00.000-07:002009-08-26T20:26:00.281-07:00Phelps' sore neck is better, puts in light workout<div class="inside-copy" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Michael Phelps' sore neck is feeling better and the 14-time Olympic gold medalist is back in the pool practicing.</div><div class="inside-copy" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Phelps swam 4,000 yards Saturday in what coach Bob Bowman called a "light workout" at the Indiana University Natatorium.</div><div class="inside-copy" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">He withdrew from the 100-meter freestyle at the U.S. national championships on Friday after waking up a day earlier with a kink in the left side of his neck.</div><div class="inside-copy" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Phelps said he swam through the pain while setting a world record in the 100 butterfly Thursday night. He has qualified for the world championships later this month in three individual events, and he'll likely swim all three relays in Rome.</div><div class="inside-copy" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></div><div class="inside-copy" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.usatoday.com/sports/olympics/2009-07-11-658255005_x.htm">Source </a></div><div class="inside-copy" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3188381087547984694-407816382702183229?l=swimlikemichaelphelps.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Jan Silanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08101505002421999429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188381087547984694.post-80263363318735290612009-08-25T20:25:00.000-07:002009-08-25T20:25:00.194-07:00It's a pain in the neck for Michael Phelps<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Michael Phelps had to pull out of the morning heats of the 100-metre freestyle at the US Nationals.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Phelps, who won eight gold medals in Beijing, had been suffering from a sore neck.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">"I could hardly move my neck to breath," he said. "We decided it was better to take the precautionary route and scratch this morning's race."</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/more-sport/2009/07/11/it-s-a-pain-in-the-neck-for-phelps-115875-21511358/">Source </a></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3188381087547984694-8026336331873529061?l=swimlikemichaelphelps.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Jan Silanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08101505002421999429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188381087547984694.post-65579348609242739322009-08-24T20:23:00.000-07:002009-08-24T20:23:00.185-07:00Michael Phelps is Back... And So is the 'Buzz'<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><strong _nwii="0" ppsc2="0" xhgxw="0">Michael Phelps</strong> is back in America's good graces after setting a new world record this week -- too bad a highly ironic <a class="kLink" href="http://www.tmz.com/2009/07/11/michael-phelps-is-back-and-so-is-the-buzz/#" id="KonaLink0" onclick="adlinkMouseClick(event,this,0);" oncontextmenu="return false;" onmouseout="adlinkMouseOut(event,this,0);" onmouseover="adlinkMouseOver(event,this,0);" style="position: static; text-decoration: underline ! important;" target="_new"><span style="color: rgb(41, 162, 86) ! important; font-family: inherit; font-weight: 400; position: static;"><span class="kLink" style="color: rgb(41, 162, 86) ! important; font-weight: 400; position: relative;">advertisement</span></span></a> on Subway's website keeps rehashing Phelps' pot smokin' past.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">A rep for Subway tells us we have the <strike _nwii="0" ppsc2="0" xhgxw="0">bong</strike> wrong idea -- saying it's just an unfortunate coincidence, adding the Fresh Buzz site has been around for 3 years. <br ppsc2="0" /><br ppsc2="0" />By the way, Phelps says when he gets the munchies, he goes for the meatball sub with jalapeno -- no word if he likes it toasted</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.tmz.com/2009/07/11/michael-phelps-is-back-and-so-is-the-buzz/">Source </a></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3188381087547984694-6557934860924273932?l=swimlikemichaelphelps.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Jan Silanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08101505002421999429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188381087547984694.post-39168633307054416582009-08-23T20:21:00.000-07:002009-08-23T20:21:00.351-07:00Michael Phelps Demolishes World Record in 100 Fly -<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana, July 9. AFTER flirting with the world record during a meet in Montreal earlier this season, superstar <a href="http://www.swimmingworldmagazine.com/swimshop/shop_detail.asp?iPid=1819">Michael Phelps</a> smashed Ian Crocker's world record in the men's 100 fly. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /><br />Phelps had a ridiculous back half with a 23.83 going out and coming back in 23.83. The final time of 50.22 crushed Crocker's effort of 50.40 that stood since 2005. <br /><br />Comparative splits: <br />Crocker: 23.51, 50.40 (26.89) <br />Phelps: 23.83, 50.22 (26.39) <br /><br />"I still remember the day at Worlds when I broke it and the next day Crock broke it," Phelps said. "He's had it ever since. We've had some great races. I have no idea what my splits were, but I felt better tonight. I hope I can feel better in a few weeks." <br /><br />Phelps now owns five long course meter world records with top times in the 200 free (1:42.96), 100 fly (50.22), 200 fly (1:52.03), 200 IM (1:54.23) and 400 IM (4:03.84). He is also a member of all three relay world records. <br /><br />Meanwhile, Tyler McGill of Auburn claimed second in 51.06 to move into the top 10 all time in the event. Longhorn's Aaron Peirsol finished third in a personal-best time of 51.30.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.swimmingworldmagazine.com/lane9/news/21640.asp?q=USA%20Swimming%20National%20Championships:%20%3Cfont%20color=red%3EFlash%21%3C/font%3E%20Michael%20Phelps%20Demolishes%20World%20Record%20in%20100%20Fly%20-%20%3Cfont%20color=red%3ESwimmingWorld.TV%20Interview%20Included%3C/font%3E">Source </a></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3188381087547984694-3916863330705441658?l=swimlikemichaelphelps.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Jan Silanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08101505002421999429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188381087547984694.post-30585060457829438032009-08-22T20:20:00.000-07:002009-08-22T20:20:00.784-07:00Exclusive Interview with Michael Phelps<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><em>This satiric interview was originally published in High Times Magazine.</em></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Q. What've you learned from this whole nuclear bong explosion?</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">A. I learned how fast you can go from being an international hero to being a reference in a joke on a late night talk show. I heard Jay Leno say, "You know what really did Tom Daschle in? It turns out there are now pictures of him partying with Michael Phelps." And David Letterman: "I don't want to just ruin everybody's day, but there is discouraging news everywhere. Unemployment is high. Foreclosure rate is high. Michael Phelps is high."</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Q. Well, that's what happens when your profile is so high. But your coach said that you would learn from the experience.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">A. I learned that it was my own fault. I was so busy getting treated like a horny Jesus that I forgot that there could possibly be a Judas in the room. A greedy Judas with a cell phone camera. That was my mistake. That's what I regret. That's what will never happen again. I mean what happens in South Carolina doesn't stay in South Carolina. It ends up in Tabloid Hell! And Judas got a friggin' hundred-thousand dollars to play with.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Q. In England, yet. And then it comes back here to the States and drops in the lap of the Kellogg Empire. I called their headquarters, and there was an automatic message: "Press one to leave a comment about Michael Phelps--"</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">A. They were afraid that my image would pollute their image. That my brand would damage their brand. But the truth is, I actually felt relieved. I had been like a whore. Selling my soul instead of renting my body. And Tony the Tiger was my pimp. A nutritionist told me that the absolutely worst thing to have in your diet is sugar-coated cereal. And there I was, pushing Frosted Flakes--and it's friggin' addictive, man--I was peddling a dangerous breakfast cereal to innocent little kids. And those Kellogg PR people were worried about what message was my behavior sending? What message does dealing junk food send?</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Q. But this whole thing also served to open up dialogue. I saw Whoopi Goldberg on The View--she said, "I smoked weed," and most of the audience applauded. And don't forget, that's Middle America.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">A. Y'know what I'd really like to do? When I was like twelve years old, there was this issue of Time magazine with Ellen DeGeneres on the cover, and she's saying, "Yep, I'm Gay." So now I wanna be on the cover of Newsweek, smoking a joint and saying, "Yep, I'm Stoned." I wanna be the poster boy for the decriminalization of marijuana. If I'm supposed to be a role model, it would be great to inspire tokers to come out of their closets. Listen, did you know that almost one out of every three Americans have smoked marijuana? There's strength in numbers, although everybody's afraid of losing their jobs, but they know that the real harm comes from the ridiculous, insane laws, not from the weed.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Q. And don't forget the vicious propaganda. Did you happen to see a commercial by the Office of National Drug Control Policy? It features a woman saying, "Hey, not trying to be your mom, but there aren't many jobs out there for pot-heads." Your mother is the principal of a middle school, right? What do you think her reaction would be to your pro-pot crusade?</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">A. Oh, I'm sure she wouldn't be very supportive. In fact, she'd be very upset. She would grit her teeth and she'd say, "Michael, you are grounded for three weeks!"</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/paul-krassner/exclusive-interview-with_b_229325.html">Source</a> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3188381087547984694-3058506045782943803?l=swimlikemichaelphelps.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Jan Silanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08101505002421999429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188381087547984694.post-39744943470086671652009-08-21T20:13:00.000-07:002009-08-21T20:13:00.269-07:00Phelps has sore neck, drops out of 100 free<br style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;" /><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Michael Phelps has withdrawn from the 100-meter freestyle at the U.S. national championships because of a sore neck.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The superstar swimmer was supposed to swim in the last heat Friday morning, but he was still in pain after waking up a day earlier with a kink in his neck.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Phelps says he swam through the pain in setting a world record in the 100 butterfly Thursday night. The 100 free was going to be his final event at nationals.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">He has qualified for the world championships later this month in the 100 and 200 flys and the 200 free. It's likely Phelps will swim on three relays in Rome.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Even if he had qualified in the 100 free, Phelps says he wouldn't have swam the event at worlds. The swimming events begin July 26.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jRN5odhOUm6OoPDc3FEnfu80WnHQD99BK94O0">Source </a></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3188381087547984694-3974494347008667165?l=swimlikemichaelphelps.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Jan Silanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08101505002421999429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188381087547984694.post-38989010365245201952009-08-20T20:11:00.000-07:002009-08-20T20:11:00.310-07:00Phelps Sets World Record in Butterfly<br style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;" /><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">INDIANAPOLIS, July 9 -- There has been one swimmer, and only one, who has been able to lord over Michael Phelps, and that's a sweet old guy from Maine by the name of Ian Crocker. The now-retired Crocker, soft spoken and into his guitar, hated being Phelps's nemesis, the bad guy. </div><div id="body_after_content_column" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> But that's exactly what he became by virtue of the fact he could kick Phelps's rear, quite routinely, in one event, the 100-meter butterfly. Phelps taped Crocker's picture on his bedroom wall for motivation six years ago, after Crocker set the 100 fly world record. <br />Crocker had held the record since -- until Thursday, that is. <br />Phelps finally demolished the mark at the U.S. swimming championships by winning the 100 fly final in 50.22 seconds -- 0.18 better than the 50.40 that has stood up since Crocker last set the record in 2005. <br />"It was big," Phelps, 24, said. "It was something I really, really wanted to accomplish. Crock and I had a lot of great history, a lot of great races. . . . I've wanted that record ever since he took it at the 2003 worlds." <br />The performance gave Phelps his first world record since the Beijing Olympics and upped his total of individual world records to five (he also holds world marks in the 200 freestyle, 200 fly, 200 individual medley and 400 individual medley). And it proved that he has not only recovered from a long post-Olympic break, but also that he is getting back into the form that helped him win eight golds in Beijing. <br />"At the Olympics, I was in the best shape of my life," Phelps said. "To have the preparation I've had and do a best time [here] is pretty cool." <br />Phelps's chase may have seemed like an eternity to him, but for five-time Olympian Dara Torres, six years represents just a tiny blip in a career that spans no fewer than 28 U.S. championships. Torres, 42, took another unprecedented step and shook the usual fist at middle age, winning her 16th national title in the 50 free in 24.43 seconds.<br />"I guess I don't think about the age thing," Torres said, "until I get out of the pool and start limping." <br />Thursday, in fact, Torres practically limped into the pool. Bothered by an arthritic knee that will require surgery after the world championships, which begin later this month in Rome -- which she qualified for with the victory -- Torres got a slow start off the blocks and did not come close to her American record of 24.07. <br />She did, however, blow away the field over the last half of the sprint. During the race, "the adrenaline goes and you don't really think about" the pain, Torres said. Amanda Weir finished second in 24.70 and Lara Jackson came in third in 24.71. <br />"My start was horrible," Torres said. "I haven't practiced starts. The one time I practiced my starts, I had to get my knee drained it swelled up so much. . . . It's a great feeling to be able to go out of here and still race, but that time won't medal at the world championships."<br />Torres has retired after so many Olympic Games -- only to return before the next -- that she has competed in just one previous world championships, the 1986 event in Madrid. There, she won a silver medal in the 400 freestyle relay. <br /><div id="body_after_content_column"> In Beijing last summer, as Torres finished second in the 50 free and set the current American record, Phelps set -- or helped set -- world records in seven of his eight events. The only mark he missed came in the 100 fly, a race he nearly lost to Serbia's Milorad Serbia. <br />On Thursday, he easily beat Tyler McGill of Auburn University, who finished second in 51.06 and became the sixth-fastest man ever in the event . Backstroke specialist Aaron Peirsol claimed third in 51.30 seconds -- making him the 11th-fastest man ever. <br />Phelps, of course, is now first. <br />After Crocker beat Phelps by 1.25 seconds in the event at the 2005 world championships in Montreal, Phelps told his coach Bob Bowman he wanted to "put a bag over his head." Bowman told Phelps, he recalled, that he wanted to do the same. <br />"In the race Ian broke that record, that was the worst Michael had ever been beaten," Bowman said. "We both remember that. . . . That is an amazing record. That's why it stood the test of time." <br />Phelps credits his emphasis on speed events since he returned to the pool six months ago for allowing him to approach what had been such an elusive mark. Phelps said he has never trained the 100 fly harder, and he's also undertaken a far more rigorous weight-training regimen designed to build the upper-body strength he needs in sprint events. <br />"It's killed my body," he said. "There are days I can't pick anything up." <br />Phelps's previous best in the event was the 50.48 he swam a couple of weeks ago in Montreal.<br /><br />"Everything I've done has been something I've wanted to do, and something I've dreamed of," Phelps said. "I would have liked to have gone eight for eight in Beijing, eight records and eight races. It feels good to have this one here."<br /><br /><a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/07/09/AR2009070902649_2.html">Source </a><br /></div><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3188381087547984694-3898901036524520195?l=swimlikemichaelphelps.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Jan Silanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08101505002421999429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188381087547984694.post-9139299722292231862009-08-19T20:11:00.000-07:002009-08-19T20:11:00.554-07:00AU SWIMMING & DIVING: McGill finishes second to Phelps<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">INDIANAPOLIS — Auburn rising senior Tyler McGill placed second to world-record holder Michael Phelps in Thursday’s 100m butterfly finals of the 2009 ConocoPhillips National Championships. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">McGill’s runner-up finish qualifies him for a spot on Team USA heading into the World Championships in August. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">McGill was in fourth at the turn, but exploded off the wall to pass Aaron Peirsol and Kyle Bubolz, laying down a new career best time of 51.06 in the process. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The Auburn 100y fly record holder lined up in Lane 5 next to Phelps, who set a new world-record time of 50.22, knocking off Ian Crocker’s previous mark of 50.40 set in July of 2005. McGill advanced to finals as the second seed after recording a heats time of 51.76. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Rising senior Jordan Anderson also made the A finals, swimming to a sixth-place finish with a new personal best, 52.65. Rising junior Andrew Mitchell placed 14th with a 53.72.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Auburn had five swimmers go under 22 seconds in the finals of the men’s 50m free. Auburn graduate assistant Bryan Lundquist had the highest finish for the Tigers, placing fourth with a time 21.73. The Tigers loaded the B finals with foreign talent as the A final was reserved for domestic competitors only. Former Auburn swimmers Cesar Cielo (21.14), Fred Bousquet (21.36) and George Bovell (21.78), along with incoming freshman Adam Brown (21.99), went first-fourth in the notably faster B finals.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">McGill, shortly after his second-place showing in the 100m fly, returned to the pool to win the 50m free C finals, timing in at 22.28. Rising sophomore Karl Krug was on his heels in second, touching in at 22.59.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Auburn 100y breaststroke record holder Micah Lawrence placed 12th in the women’s 100m breast finals, hitting the wall in 1:09.40. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Rising senior Abby MacGregor cut nearly two and a half seconds off her preliminary time to win the C final of the 100m breast. The Louisville, Ky., native swam to a new personal best time of 1:08.84 after overtaking Ann Chandler in the final 50 meters for the win.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Rising junior Caitlin Geary tied for 13th in the women’s 50m free finals, touching in at 25.74. The 2009 SEC 200y freestyle champion hit the same time in heats to advance as the 14th overall seed.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>Mazzaferro places 9th at World University Games</b><br />BELGRADE, Serbia — Auburn rising senior Dan Mazzaferro placed ninth in Thursday’s platform finals at the 2009 World University Games. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The three-time SEC Champion earned a six-dive total of 345.75.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Mazzaferro’s final dive list was given a 19.9 degree of difficulty (DD) with his highest marks coming in his final dive — a back two and a half somersault, one and a half twist pike worth 68.00 points. In semis, Mazzaferro finished ninth with a 361.45 and a 19.9 DD.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Mazzaferro advanced to Serbia after a top finish at the 2009 Speedo USA Diving Spring Nationals, where the Cheshire, Pa, native placed second off the tower. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">At the 2007 World University Games, Mazzaferro placed fifth in synchronized platform and 23rd in platform diving. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><a href="http://www2.oanow.com/oan/sports/college/article/au_swimming_diving_mcgill_finishes_second_to_phelps/82523/">Source </a></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3188381087547984694-913929972229223186?l=swimlikemichaelphelps.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Jan Silanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08101505002421999429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188381087547984694.post-62864840234864070712009-08-18T20:09:00.000-07:002009-08-18T20:09:00.599-07:00Phelps sets another mark<div class="bodytext" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Four months after deciding to keep swimming, Michael Phelps took ownership of a world record that had eluded him for years.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">He won the men's 100-meter butterfly at the U.S. national championships in Indianapolis on Thursday in 50.22 seconds, lowering Ian Crocker's mark of 50.40 set at the 2005 world championships. Tyler McGill was second in 51.06.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Phelps currently holds world records in the 100 and 200 butterfly, 200 and 400 individual medley and 200 freestyle. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Also, Dara Torres won the women's 50 freestyle at age 42 despite a left knee that has a torn tendon and arthritis. She clocked a 24.43, with Amanda Weir second in 24.70. </div><div class="subhead" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">NFL</div><div class="bodytext" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Fans turned out by the thousands on a steamy hot day for the chance to honor slain ex-NFL quarterback Steve McNair. They lined up outside a Nashville, Tenn., funeral home. Also, a memorial service was held at a Baptist church. Police say McNair, 36, was shot July 4 by girlfriend Sahel Kazemi, who then killed herself.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </div><div class="articleBody" id="articleBody" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /><li>A judge in Minneapolis blocked the NFL's plan to suspend Minnesota defensive linemen Kevin Williams and Pat Williams for violating the league's anti-doping policy. The NFL still hopes to enforce the players' four-game suspensions. The players tested positive last summer for a banned diuretic. </li><br /><li>Arizona signed third-round draft pick Rashad Johnson (safety from Alabama) to a three-year contract. </li><br /><li>Jacksonville signed Arizona <div class="articleBody" id="articleBody"><br /><li>receiver Mike Thomas, a fourth-round draft pick. <div class="subhead">NHL</div><div class="bodytext">The Sharks re-signed defenseman Rob Blake to a one-year deal. He had 10 goals and 35 assists in 2008-09, his first season with the Sharks and 18th in the NHL. Also, defenseman Kent Huskins re-signed with San Jose, agreeing to a two-year deal. The Sharks acquired Huskins from Anaheim on March 4, but he didn't play in San Jose while recovering from a broken foot. </div></li><br /><li>Jiri Hudler's days in Detroit are over — at least for now. His two-year contract worth up to $5 million annually with Dynamo Moscow was filed with the Continental Hockey League. He made $1.15 million with the Red Wings last season. <div class="subhead">Soccer</div><div class="bodytext">Freddy Adu won't play for the United States in the remaining games of the CONCACAF Gold Cup, U.S. coach Bob Bradley said. Adu will participate in the preseason with Portuguese club Benfica. </div><div class="subhead">Beach volleyball</div><div class="bodytext">Kerry Walsh, a two-time Olympic gold medalist, will return for the AVP Tour stop in Hermosa Beach on Aug. 6 — 21/2 months after the birth of her son, Joseph. Because Misty May-Treanor (Achilles injury) isn't ready to come back, Walsh will team with Rachel Wacholder.</div><div class="subhead">WNBA</div><div class="bodytext">Swin Cash had 18 points, leading Seattle (8-4) to a 66-55 win over visiting Sacramento (3-9). Rookie Courtney Paris (Piedmont High) had eight points and eight rebounds off the bench for the Monarchs.</div></li><br /><li>Betty Lennox scored 20 points, and Los Angeles (4-6) posted a 69-57 win over host New York (3-7). <div class="subhead">College basketball</div><div class="bodytext">Trailing 13-9 in the first quarter, the U.S. women's team went on a 25-0 run en route to an 81-66 win over Australia in the semifinals of the World University Games in Belgrade, Serbia. Cal's Alexis Gray-Lawson (Oakland Tech) had 10 points and five rebounds. The Americans will face either Russia or the Czech Republic for the gold medal Saturday.</div><div class="bodytext"></div><div class="bodytext"><a href="http://www.berryessasun.com/ci_12806502">Source </a></div></li><br /></div></li><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3188381087547984694-6286484023486407071?l=swimlikemichaelphelps.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Jan Silanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08101505002421999429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188381087547984694.post-7373492635474140802009-08-17T20:08:00.000-07:002009-08-17T20:08:00.762-07:00Phelps is fastest qualifier in 100 fly<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Michael Phelps was the fastest qualifier in the 100-meter butterfly heats at the U.S. national championships.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">He swam the two-lap race in 51.17 seconds Thursday morning at the Indiana University Natatorium. Phelps has already won the 200 fly and 200 freestyle, qualifying him for the world championships in Rome later this month.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Tyler McGill, a 21-year-old Auburn swimmer, was second-quickest and 59-hundredths of a second behind Phelps. Aaron Peirsol, who set a world record in the 100 back Wednesday, advanced in third.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Dara Torres led the 50 free heats in 24.72 seconds. At 42, Torres is nearly double the age of some of the others who made the final.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Michael Phelps was the fastest qualifier in the 100-meter butterfly heats at the U.S. national championships.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">He swam the two-lap race in 51.17 seconds Thursday morning at the Indiana University Natatorium. Phelps has already won the 200 fly and 200 freestyle, qualifying him for the world championships in Rome later this month.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The 100 fly is one of the few events that Phelps hasn't dominated. He'll be chasing Ian Crocker's world record of 50.40 in the evening final.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Tyler McGill, a 21-year-old Auburn swimmer, was second-quickest and 59-hundredths of a second behind Phelps. Aaron Peirsol, who set a world record in the 100 back Wednesday, advanced in third.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jRN5odhOUm6OoPDc3FEnfu80WnHQD99AVMD80">Source </a></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3188381087547984694-737349263547414080?l=swimlikemichaelphelps.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Jan Silanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08101505002421999429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188381087547984694.post-40656840989334445002009-08-16T20:06:00.000-07:002009-08-16T20:06:00.320-07:00Jimmie Johnson loosens up with video and a crack at Michael Phelps<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">JOLIET, Ill. — Jimmie Johnson's latest happy hour is taking a spin at comedy.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The three-time defending Cup champion is trying to put the breaks on his corporate image with a video spoof on <a href="http://funnyordie.com/">FunnyorDie.com</a> that shows Johnson offering humorous tips on how to succeed in life and on the race track. Johnson must have found his inner stand-up comic during the shoot.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">He cracked a one-liner Thursday when asked about sharing a top male athlete ESPY nomination with Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">"Would Phelps make it in our sport? Would he pass the (drug) test?" he said to laughter.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Phelps was photographed earlier this year smoking from a marijuana pipe.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Johnson pitches a three-disc DVD set that will "nurture and encourage your inner top dog."</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">He's also helped in the video by his celebrity teammates.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Instead of Hendrick Motorsports drivers Jeff Gordon and Mark Martin, Johnson's guest stars include former NFL star Jason Sehorn, singer Nick Lachey and cheerleaders who gleefully spell his name.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">"It was something outside of my comfort zone and really a lot of fun to do," Johnson said at Chicagoland Speedway. "Ultimately, the fans will decide if it's funny or if it should die."</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Johnson is shown playing football and holding off tacklers by sticking his hand on their heads and shaking them off his leg. The would-be tacklers are kids.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Johnson also beats a senior citizen in arm wrestling.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">No, it wasn't the 50-year-old Martin.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">"It's just a bunch of stupid stuff that makes it funny and different," Johnson said. "I don't claim to be a comedian, and I'm sure there are funnier pieces that run on there. But it's had a very warm reception and it was fun to do."</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.google.com/hostednews/canadianpress/article/ALeqM5g1um9jUAl5L7MqhUGs0KI3X_vGDA">Source </a></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3188381087547984694-4065684098933444500?l=swimlikemichaelphelps.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Jan Silanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08101505002421999429noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188381087547984694.post-27178320809081917912009-08-15T20:06:00.000-07:002009-08-15T20:06:00.432-07:00Phelps wins two events at nationals<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>Michael Phelps</b> won the 200-meter freestyle and 200 butterfly at the U.S. nationals in Indianapolis last night, earning a trip to the world championships later this month. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>Aaron Peirsol</b> created the biggest buzz at the Indiana University Natatorium pool by reclaiming his world record in the 100 backstroke. The Olympic champion trailed <b>Matt Grevers</b> at 50 meters before pouring it on down the stretch to win in 51.94 seconds. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Peirsol became the first person to swim under 52 seconds in the event he has dominated for much of this decade. He has lowered the world record six times. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Peirsol's previous mark of 52.54 set in Beijing was broken by Spain's <b>Aschwin Wildeboer Faber</b> on July 1. Faber swam 52.38 on the backstroke leg of the 400 medley relay at the Mediterranean Games. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Grevers, the Olympic silver medalist, finished second in 53.11, giving himself another crack at taking down Peirsol in Rome. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Phelps held off <b>David Walters</b> in the closing meters of the 200 free and touched in 1 minute, 44.23 seconds. Walters pushed Phelps coming off the final turn, but settled for second in 1:44.95. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Phelps returned later to win the 200 fly in 1:52.76.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.philly.com/dailynews/sports/20090709_Phelps_wins_two_events_at_nationals.html">Source </a></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3188381087547984694-2717832080908191791?l=swimlikemichaelphelps.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Jan Silanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08101505002421999429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188381087547984694.post-28962975693860891462009-08-14T20:04:00.000-07:002009-08-14T20:04:00.638-07:00Phelps captures 2 races at nationals<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Michael Phelps won the 200-meter freestyle and 200-meter butterfly Wednesday at the U.S. national swimming championships in Indianapolis.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The 14-time Olympic gold medalist held off David Walters in the closing meters of the freestyle race to touch first in 1 minute, 44.23 seconds. Ryan Lochte was third in 1:45.66. The eight-man field included the 800 freestyle relay team of Phelps, Lochte, Ricky Berens and Peter Vanderkaay that won gold at the Beijing Olympics.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">In the butterfly race, Phelps finished in 1:52.76.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.ajc.com/services/content/printedition/2009/07/09/briefly0709.html">Source </a></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3188381087547984694-2896297569386089146?l=swimlikemichaelphelps.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Jan Silanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08101505002421999429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188381087547984694.post-39939377561623506712009-08-13T20:04:00.000-07:002009-08-13T20:04:00.567-07:00Michael Phelps wins twice, not happily<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Reporting from Indianapolis -- When you think about it, Michael Phelps isn't just the greatest swimmer in the world because he's incredibly fast. It's also because, no matter what's going on in his life, no matter what transition he's undertaking or controversy he's facing, he's never slow.<br /><br />There are times when he's faster than others, certainly. But one part of his athletic genius that is so easy to overlook is his consistency. He's occasionally amazing, often good and never awful. Mentally, he might be furious or frustrated about something, but he's always been able to put it aside long enough that it doesn't matter. And that sort of sums up his performance Wednesday night at the U.S. nationals.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-usa-swimming9-2009jul09,0,7735615.story">Source</a></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3188381087547984694-3993937756162350671?l=swimlikemichaelphelps.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Jan Silanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08101505002421999429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188381087547984694.post-80354861481757853052009-08-11T20:03:00.000-07:002009-08-11T20:03:00.718-07:00Briefs | Swimming: Michael Phelps, Aaron Peirsol have big days at nationals<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><strong>Phelps wins two races, Peirsol sets world mark:</strong> Michael Phelps, a 14-time Olympic gold medalist, racked up his second victory of the night at the U.S. national championships Wednesday in Indianapolis.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Phelps won the 200-meter butterfly in 1 minute, 52.76 seconds, well off his world record of 1:52.03 set in Beijing.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Earlier, Phelps won the 200 freestyle, and his two victories earned him a trip to the world championships in Rome later this month.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Aaron Peirsol created the biggest buzz at the Indiana University Natatorium pool by reclaiming his world record in the 100 backstroke. The Olympic champion trailed Matt Grevers at 50 meters before pouring it on down the stretch to win in 51.94 seconds.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Dana Vollmer, a 2004 Olympian, won the women's 200 freestyle in 1:56.20. Ariana Kukors from Auburn was third in 1:58.28.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Hayley McGregory ended years of bitter disappointment with a victory in the 100 backstroke. Margaret Hoelzer, who trained in Seattle for last year's Olympics, was third.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><a href="http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/othersports/2009436213_digs09.html">Source </a></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3188381087547984694-8035486148175785305?l=swimlikemichaelphelps.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Jan Silanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08101505002421999429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188381087547984694.post-83897934003651139952009-08-10T20:02:00.000-07:002009-08-10T20:02:00.368-07:00Peirsol reclaims world record; Phelps wins twice at nationals<div class="storytext" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> Indianapolis, IN (Sports Network) - Record-setting Olympian Michael Phelps won a pair of finals, while Aaron Peirsol reclaimed his world record in the 100- meter backstroke Wednesday at the USA Swimming championships. <br />Phelps, a 14-time Olympic gold medalist, won the 200m freestyle and 200m butterfly. His time in the free was 1 minute, 44.23 seconds, which was .72 seconds ahead of David Walters. Ryan Lochte was third. Phelps' time was off his world record mark of 1:42.96, which he set in Beijing. <br />Phelps finished the butterfly in a time of 1:52.76, which was again off his world record performance of 1:52.03, set last August, also in China at the Summer Games. Tyler Clary came in second, .88 seconds off the pace, while Daniel Madwed was third. <br />Peirsol's time of 51.94 seconds eclipsed the world mark set earlier this month by Spain's Aschwin Wildeboer Faber (52.38) at the Mediterranean Games. Peirsol, who won gold in the 100m backstroke the last two Summer Games, was followed by Matt Grevers (53.11) and Nick Thoman (53.12). <br />"It was a beautiful race," Peirsol said. "I knew I could do something special tonight. I'm a little speechless. I've said it before. Anyone can win a gold medal or set a world record at any time. There's something to be said for consistency." <br />In a pair of other finals, Hayley McGregory claimed the women's 100m backstroke in 1:00.07, while Dana Vollmer captured the women's 200m freestyle. Katie Hoff, who won three medals in Beijing, finished last in the eight-person field in the 200m freestyle, leaving her doubtful to compete at the world championships in Rome later this month.<br /><br /><a href="http://www2.canada.com/topics/sports/tsnstory.html?id=7835486">Source </a></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3188381087547984694-8389793400365113995?l=swimlikemichaelphelps.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Jan Silanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08101505002421999429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188381087547984694.post-59575045448930289352009-08-09T20:01:00.000-07:002009-08-09T20:01:00.534-07:00Peirsol world record overshadows Phelps debut<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">INDIANAPOLIS (Reuters) - Aaron Peirsol overshadowed Michael Phelps' first appearance at the U.S. National swimming championships on Wednesday, reclaiming his 100 metres backstroke world record with a stunning swim.</div><span id="midArticle_1" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></span> <div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Peirsol clocked 51.94 seconds, slicing .44 seconds off the mark set by Spain's Aschwin Wildeboer Faber in the lead off leg in a 4x100m medley relay at the Mediterranean Games on July 1.</div><span id="midArticle_2" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></span> <div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">"When my world record was broken it was a total surprise," Peirsol, who has now broken the record six times, told reporters. "My goal coming in was to break the world record and that was added motivation, most definitely.</div><span id="midArticle_3" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></span> <div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">"The guy got to hold it for a week and in another of couple of weeks he will get his chance again.</div><span id="midArticle_4" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></span> <div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">"That was just a great swim, I felt great. It's great to know what I'm capable of."</div><span id="midArticle_5" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></span> <div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Matthew Grevers had taken the race out in world record pace and led Peirsol at the turn but the Olympic champion took command over the final 50, pulling away for the win and securing his spot for the world championships in Rome later this month.</div><span id="midArticle_6" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></span> <div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">While Peirsol stole the spotlight, it was Phelps, the winner of 14 Olympic gold medals, the capacity crowd had come to see.</div><span id="midArticle_7" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></span> <div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">In his first major test since his record eight gold medal haul at the Beijing Games, Phelps delighted his fans picking up wins in the 200 freestyle and 200 butterfly</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">"That was the one thing coming here we wanted, we wanted to make the world championships," Phelps said.</div><span id="midArticle_0" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></span> <div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">"That was the number one goal as soon as we got back into the pool and started training again."</div><span id="midArticle_1" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></span> <div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">While Phelps is contemplating reshaping his 2012 Olympic programme around shorter distances he is no stranger to the events he won on Wednesday, holding the world record and Olympic gold in both.</div><span id="midArticle_2" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></span> <div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The 200 freestyle final featured five members of the U.S. gold medal 4x200m freestyle relay squad from Beijing but they were unable to haul in their team mate who powered home in one minute, 44.23 seconds.</div><span id="midArticle_3" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></span> <div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">It was the fastest time this year and sixth fastest all time but well off his world mark of 1:42.96.</div><span id="midArticle_4" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></span> <div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Phelps was back in the pool less than an hour later, clocking 1:52.76 in the 200 butterfly, again the fastest time in the event this year and fifth fastest of all-time, though he was less than pleased.</div><span id="midArticle_5" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></span> <div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">"I'm not happy but some of the things that happened today are going to make me swim faster," said Phelps. "I can't really expect to come out here and do a best time right now.</div><span id="midArticle_6" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></span> <div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">"The times are fine but there are just some other things that are frustrating that I will keep inside to fire me up.</div><span id="midArticle_7" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></span> <div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">"I'm happy with where I am, all things considered, but deep down inside I'm really only happy and excited when I'm doing best times."</div><span id="midArticle_8" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></span> <div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">(To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><a href="http://in.reuters.com/article/worldOfSport/idINIndia-40914720090709?pageNumber=1&virtualBrandChannel=11584">Source </a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3188381087547984694-5957504544893028935?l=swimlikemichaelphelps.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Jan Silanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08101505002421999429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188381087547984694.post-19981903287202627682009-08-08T19:57:00.000-07:002009-08-08T19:57:00.454-07:00Phelps claims two gold medals at U.S. nationals<div class="bodytext" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Michael Phelps, the 14-time Olympic gold medalist, went 2-for-2 on Wednesday at the U.S. national swimming championships in Indianapolis.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">He won the 200-meter butterfly in 1 minute, 52.76 seconds, well off his world record of 1:52.03 set in Beijing in 2008. Earlier in the night, he won the 200 freestyle in 1:44.23.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Aaron Peirsol reclaimed the world record in the 100 backstroke. The Olympic champion won in 51.94 seconds. His previous mark of 52.54 set in Beijing was broken by Aschwin Wildeboer Faber on July 1.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Also, Stanford's Kate Dwelley (Liberty High) was seventh in the women's 200 freestyle in 1:58.57. Cal's Dana Vollmer won in 1:56.20. </div><div class="subhead" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">College football</div><div class="bodytext" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">After taking its fight to change the Bowl Championships Series to Congress, the Mountain West reluctantly agreed to a BCS TV deal. The conference still doesn't receive an automatic berth to a BCS game but needed to sign the agreement with ESPN so the league's schools would still be eligible to play in one of the top-tier bowls. This doesn't mean the MWC is finished pushing for a playoff. Utah president Michael Young, who testified the day before at a Senate subcommittee, said the MWC had no choice other than to sign the agreement, which runs through the 2013 season. Unbeaten Utah was left out of last season's BCS championship game. </div><div class="subhead" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Soccer</div><div class="bodytext" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Santino Quaranta scored in the 75th minute and Brian Ching</div><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">followed with a header in the 79th, giving the United States a 2-0 win against Honduras in Washington, D.C., in CONCACAF Gold Cup play. The Americans (2-0) lead Group B going into their final match against Haiti (1-1) on Saturday in Foxborough, Mass. Honduras (1-1) faces Grenada (0-2). Earlier, Fabrice Noel scored in the 14th minute and James Marcelin added a goal in the 78th, giving Haiti a 2-0 win over Grenada. </span><div class="subhead" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">NHL</div><div class="bodytext" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Saku Koivu left Montreal after 13 seasons by signing a one-year deal with Anaheim. Koivu, a two-time All-Star center, was the Canadiens' captain for nearly 10 years, tying Jean Beliveau for longest-serving in the team's 100-year history.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </div><div class="articleBody" id="articleBody" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /><li>Dallas filled a need for a backup goaltender to Marty Turco, acquiring Alex Auld from Ottawa for a sixth-round draft pick in 2010. The Stars also locked up defenseman Mark Fistric through the 2011-12 season by giving him a $3 million, three-year contract. </li><br /><li>Chicago signed restricted free-agent left wing Kris Versteeg to a three-year contract. <div class="subhead">Motor sports</div><div class="bodytext">NASCAR asked an appeals court to ban Jeremy Mayfield from racing, alleging the participation of "a proven methamphetamine user" could lead to fatal consequences for other competitors. NASCAR wants the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to overturn U.S. District Court Judge Graham Mullen's decision last week to lift Mayfield's indefinite suspension following a positive drug test. Mayfield attorney John Buric revealed that the Sprint Cup driver/owner was tested twice Monday — once at an independent laboratory and once at his home by NASCAR. </div><div class="subhead">Tennis</div><div class="bodytext">Alex Bogomolov Jr. upset fifth-seeded Arnaud Clement 1-6, 6-3, 6-4 in the first round of the rain-hampered Hall of Fame Championships in Newport, R.I.</div><div class="subhead">Track and field</div><div class="bodytext">St. Elizabeth High's Ashton Purvis and James Logan's Ciarra Brewer advanced at the World Youth Championships in Sudtirol, Italy. Purvis finished first in her first-round and quarterfinal heats of the women's 100 meters. She had times of 11.57 seconds and 11.68. Brewer, who appears in the July 13 edition of Sports Illustrated, was fourth in her flight of the women's triple jump qualifying at 41 feet, 111/2 inches.</div><div class="bodytext"></div><div class="bodytext"><a href="http://www.contracostatimes.com/sportsheadlines/ci_12790139">Source</a> </div></li><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3188381087547984694-1998190328720262768?l=swimlikemichaelphelps.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Jan Silanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08101505002421999429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188381087547984694.post-29360089541459847552009-08-07T19:57:00.000-07:002009-08-07T19:57:00.606-07:00Phelps wins 2 races, Peirsol sets world mark<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Michael Phelps removed his goggles, tore off the two caps he was wearing, tossed them on the deck and turned around to check the scoreboard. He scowled upon seeing the time in yellow lights next to his name.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">As expected, the 14-time Olympic gold medalist racked up his second victory of the night at the U.S. national championships Wednesday. It just wasn't up to his exacting standards.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Phelps won the 200-meter butterfly in 1 minute, 52.76 seconds, well off his world record of 1:52.03 set in Beijing.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">"I'm not happy about the 200 fly, but I think some of the things that happened are going to be helpful to me to swim faster," he said. "When I'm satisfied is when I'm doing a best time. I'm not used to not doing a best time when I shave and taper."</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Phelps was pushed in the next lane by Tyler Clary, a 20-year-old Michigan swimmer who stayed close throughout and finished second in 1:53.64.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">"That was one of the greatest swims I've ever done," Clary said. "It was pretty cool. I could see out of the corner of my eye. I was with him at 150 and just being with him was awesome."</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Earlier, Phelps won the 200 freestyle, and his two victories earned him a trip to the world championships in Rome later this month, fulfilling the wish of his mother Debbie, who had said last year that she wanted to visit the Eternal City.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">"I'm happy with where I'm at all things considered, but I'm really happy with a best time," he said.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Aaron Peirsol created the biggest buzz at the Indiana University Natatorium pool by reclaiming his world record in the 100 backstroke. The Olympic champion trailed Matt Grevers at 50 meters before pouring it on down the stretch to win in 51.94 seconds.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">"That's a beautiful race," Peirsol said. "I knew I could do something special."</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">He became the first person to swim under 52 seconds in the event he has dominated for much of this decade. He has lowered the world record six times.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">"The consistency is the thing I've always held myself high on," he said.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Peirsol's previous mark of 52.54 set in Beijing was broken by Spain's Aschwin Wildeboer Faber on July 1. Faber swam 52.38 on the backstroke leg of the 400 medley relay at the Mediterranean Games.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Grevers, the Olympic silver medalist, finished second in 53.11, giving himself another crack at taking down Peirsol in Rome.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Phelps held off David Walters in the closing meters of the 200 free and touched in 1:44.23. Walters settled for second in 1:44.95.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Ryan Lochte was third in 1:45.66. The eight-man field included the 800 freestyle relay team of Phelps, Lochte, Ricky Berens and Peter Vanderkaay that won at the Beijing Olympics, one of the record eight gold medals won by Phelps.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Walters, who earned a gold in Beijing by swimming the relay heats, also qualified for Rome. It's the first time the 21-year-old sprinter will swim an individual event at a major championship.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Peirsol took back the world record wearing an Arena X-Glide, one of the newer suits approved by swimming's world governing body. He donned the version that covers his legs.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">"I feel like if I would have worn another suit, I probably would have broken the world record anyway tonight by the way I was feeling," he said. "That's one race that's coming a little easier for me, and tonight I just felt really good."</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">That wasn't the case for Katie Hoff.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Her second attempt to qualify for Rome ended in defeat again. She finished eighth and last in the 200 free, leaving her with only one more chance in the 100 free. And even that was in doubt, with her coach Bob Bowman saying they would discuss whether she would swim it.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">"Everyone's not Michael Phelps," she said. "He seems to be able to handle a lot of different types of sets and weights, and I don't know how he does it, but my body doesn't work the same way."</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Dana Vollmer, a 2004 Olympian, won the race in 1:56.20. Allison Schmidt was second in 1:58.63, following up her win in the 400 free Tuesday.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Dagny Knutson, a promising 17-year-old from Minot, N.D., finished fifth.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Hayley McGregory ended years of bitter disappointment with a victory in the 100 backstroke, earning a spot in the first major international meet of her career.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">"I've had a long year and I'm really glad to be here," she said.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The 23-year-old Texan set a world record in the 100 back prelims at last year's Olympic trials, only to have it taken away by Natalie Coughlin in the very next heat.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5iZ9LUUkRws4ffM3_y9B0TGO8jYSQD99AKFN00">Source </a></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3188381087547984694-2936008954145984755?l=swimlikemichaelphelps.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Jan Silanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08101505002421999429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188381087547984694.post-86262639323569452062009-08-06T19:56:00.000-07:002009-08-06T19:56:00.601-07:00Phelps Maintains Gold Standard<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">INDIANAPOLIS — The <a href="http://www.usaswimming.org/usasweb/DesktopDefault.aspx" title="home site">United States Swimming National Championships</a> are serving as a stark reminder that while seasons change, fads fade and fresh faces turn tired, there remains one constant: <a href="http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/people/p/michael_phelps/index.html?inline=nyt-per" title="More articles about Michael Phelps.">Michael Phelps</a>. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Phelps raced in two events Wednesday night that were part of his 2004 and 2008 Olympic programs — the 200-meter freestyle and 200-meter butterfly — and won both. In the 200 freestyle, Phelps led from the start against a field that included three other Beijing Olympians. His time of 1 minute 44.23 seconds was well off his world record of 1:42.96. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">An hour later, Phelps held off Tyler Clary in the 200 butterfly, an event in which he has held the world record since 2001. He was timed in 1:52.76, missing his world mark by 73-hundredths of a second. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">In between Phelps’s swims, Aaron Peirsol regained the 100-meter backstroke world record he had held from 2004 until last week, when the Spaniard Aschwin Wildeboer claimed it with a clocking of 52.38. Peirsol, the two-time defending Olympic champion, took it back with a 51.94. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Peirsol, a three-time Olympian, and the 24-year-old Phelps were the old reliables on a night on which a few of their Beijing teammates failed in their bids to qualify for the FINA World Championships in Rome later this month. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Margaret Hoelzer placed third and Elizabeth Beisel was fourth in the 100-meter backstroke and Caroline Burckle finished outside the top 16 in the 200 freestyle. The biggest surprise was <a href="http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/people/h/katie_hoff/index.html?inline=nyt-per" title="More articles about Katie Hoff.">Katie Hoff</a>, the American-record holder in the 200 freestyle, who finished eighth in the event. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Phelps’s consistency — indeed, the constancy of his excellence — should not be taken for granted in a year in which he took several months off, gained 20 pounds and endured the public humiliation of being photographed with a <a href="http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/subjects/m/marijuana/index.html?inline=nyt-classifier" title="More articles about marijuana.">marijuana</a> pipe in his hands at a party. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">To appreciate how hard it is to stay at the top, one need only look at Hoff, Phelps’s North Baltimore Aquatic Club teammate. She left for Beijing last year with a chance to win six gold medals and returned with a silver and two bronzes. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">For most athletes, that would have qualified as a success. For Hoff, who has lived with “the female Phelps” label for six years, it had the whiff of failure. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">She changed coaches — but not teams — last fall, leaving Paul Yetter to work with Bob Bowman, who has been the caretaker of Phelps’s career for the past 13 years. Hoff, 20, has struggled to adapt to Bowman’s militaristic style, and changes he made to her freestyle stroke heightened her discomfort. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">“Bob and I talked about this being a low-key year,” Hoff said, “but it’s actually been the hardest year of my life.” </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">A sympathetic Phelps said, “She’s going through a little bump in the road, but I think she’s going to get through it.” </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">In Hoff’s first event, the 400-meter freestyle on Tuesday, she swam 10 seconds slower than her American record and finished sixth. With the top six finishers earning berths to Rome for relay purposes, the 200 freestyle figured to be her ticket to Italy. But she never posed a challenge to the top two finishers, Dana Vollmer and Allison Schmitt. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">After qualifying sixth in the morning, Hoff conducted an interview that sounded like a concession speech. Asked what her expectations were for the final, she said: “Realistically? Dana and Allison and those girls are going to be real tough. I’m just going to do the best I can.” </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">In 2005, fresh off her first Olympic experience, a teenage Hoff turned professional and signed a 10-year, seven-figure contract with the apparel company Speedo. It seemed all good at the time. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Contractual obligations have precluded Hoff from seeking refuge from the storm clouds that have rolled in this year. One of her fellow Olympians, <a href="http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/people/n/natalie_coughlin/index.html?inline=nyt-per" title="More articles about Natalie Coughlin.">Natalie Coughlin</a>, is taking this year off, but Hoff said she did not have that luxury. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">“It would have been nice,” she said. “The thing is, Natalie’s contract with Speedo is done. She could do that. I didn’t have that ...” Her voice trailed off. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">There is a line of aspirants for the ingénue role vacated by Hoff. Leading the way is Elizabeth Pelton, a 15-year-old who is coached by Yetter at North Baltimore Aquatic Club. She was second in the 100-meter backstroke Wednesday behind Hayley McGregory and was second in the 200 individual medley on Tuesday. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Dagny Knutson, 17, a teammate of Pelton on the United States team that competed in the junior Pan Pacific Championships in January, placed fifth in the 200 freestyle, which should qualify her for the World Championship team as a relay alternate. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Nothing is a permanent fit. Certainly not the high-tech suits the swimmers are wearing here as they forsake yesterday’s cutting-edge models for brands that did not exist last year. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Only Phelps seems to stay in one place — first.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/09/sports/09swim.html?hpw">Source </a></div><nyt_update_bottom style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></nyt_update_bottom><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3188381087547984694-8626263932356945206?l=swimlikemichaelphelps.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Jan Silanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08101505002421999429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188381087547984694.post-55360268147386616142009-08-05T19:54:00.000-07:002009-08-05T19:54:00.444-07:00Phelps easily qualifies for 200 free final in Indy<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Michael Phelps has qualified fastest for the 200-meter freestyle in his first event at the U.S. national swimming championships.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The 14-time Olympic gold medalist was timed in 1 minute, 46.31 seconds in Wednesday's preliminaries at the Indiana University Natatorium.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Phelps advanced to the evening final, when he'll swim for a berth in the world championships later this month in Rome. Also moving on were Olympians Peter Vanderkaay, who was 11-hundredths of a second behind Phelps, Ryan Lochte and Ricky Berens.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Later today, Phelps will swim the 200 butterfly preliminaries.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jRN5odhOUm6OoPDc3FEnfu80WnHQD99AA9M81">Source </a></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3188381087547984694-5536026814738661614?l=swimlikemichaelphelps.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Jan Silanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08101505002421999429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188381087547984694.post-76096559195326165142009-08-04T19:53:00.000-07:002009-08-04T19:53:00.622-07:00Michael Phelps ads prove a new cultural tolerance of marijuana<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Super-swimmer Michael Phelps returned to big-time advertising Sunday with a TV spot for Subway titled "Be Yourself." Oh, the irony.<br /><br />Surely Phelps -- 14-time Olympic gold medalist and endorsement juggernaut -- was being only himself, only human, when he was photographed in November hitting a bong at a party at the University of South Carolina. That photograph, first published by the British tabloid News of the World in January, resulted in a three-month competition ban and cost Phelps a reported $500,000 deal with Kellogg. The swimmer promptly issued a sniveling apology, copping to "regrettable," "inappropriate" and "youthful" behavior (doesn't the latter want to excuse the former?). Phelps, 24, has more or less cheerfully dined on PR ashes ever since, in interviews with Matt Lauer, among others.<br /><br />Interestingly, the apology from the world's fittest stoner infuriated proponents of legal weed, who saw the episode as a missed opportunity to advance the cause. After all, if Aqua-Man smokes bud, how bad can it be?<br /><br />This is the greatest Olympian of all time, a man chandeliered with gold medals on the cover of Sports Illustrated. His achievements mock the moral hysteria that traditionally rains down on marijuana.<br /><br />The Subway ad itself is nothing special. It's a compare-and-contrast between Phelps' glamorous life as a sports superstar and that of Jared Fogle, Subway's former-fatty mascot. Jared prefers the low-fat sweet-onion Chicken Teriyaki sandwich, while metabolic dynamo Phelps dares to eat the foot-long Meatball Marinara with Jalapeño, containing 1,060 calories and more than 3,000 milligrams of sodium.<br /><br />Eating these will not make you an Olympic swimmer. A floating island, maybe.<br /><br />Culture deconstructionists will pick the spot apart for oblique references to the scandal. Phelps' chin whiskers are kind of bro-ish, for instance. He does look a trifle baked (could be the chlorine). AdWeek's Eleftheria Parpis wrote that "you can almost hear all the blunts lighting up in support as Sly & The Family Stone's 'Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)' kicks in."<br /><br />And it really is too bad that the sandwich franchise's website is <a href="http://subwayfreshbuzz.com/">subwayfreshbuzz.com</a>.<br /><br />Even so, the Phelps-bong scandal seems to have been safely put to bed, and now that it has, it's worth asking, what have we learned? The consequences to Phelps -- actually, the lack of consequences -- suggest that something bigger than mere endorsement dollars is in play. It seems Phelps has moved the weed needle.<br /><br />Yes, USA Swimming, the sport's national governing body, suspended Phelps for three months, time he used to whip himself into shape after his post-Olympic bacchanal. (The organization also withheld its monthly stipend, an amount that probably wouldn't put gas in Phelps' Bentley.)<br /><br />Yes, Kellogg declined to re-up with Phelps, but tellingly, other endorsement deals remained intact: Speedo, Omega, Subway and Mazda China. Subway didn't hesitate to stand by its man (though it did postpone the current ad campaign six months to let the agita die down). Mazda required Phelps to record a minute-long mea culpa directed at the people of China -- mortifying but harmless. In June, Phelps inked a deal with H2O Audio, maker of high-end waterproof headphones.<br /><br />In other words, there were no serious consequences. To the extent that endorsement opportunities are a rough metric of how well someone in public life is liked, admired, respected, the bong-heard-round-the-world scandal might as well never have happened. With the benefit of hindsight, Kellogg execs might well be kicking themselves.<br /><br />You could ascribe the missing fallout to Phelps' incredible personal magnetism or -- far more likely -- to the fact that advertisers saw little downside to being associated with bong-meister Phelps.<br /><br />Nor should they. Across the board, marijuana is being steadily decriminalized and de-stigmatized. In a Field Poll in May, 56% of Californians favored legalization, slightly ahead of the roughly half of Americans who favor such a move. Thirteen states have legalized medical marijuana, and three more are considering it. In a dozen states, possession of less than an ounce of marijuana is not illegal. One hundred million Americans have smoked pot, and about 14 million use it regularly, according to federal government studies. U.S. Atty. Gen. Eric Holder has said the federal government would no longer raid California medical marijuana dispensaries.<br /><br />Ethan Nadelmann, of the legalization-advocacy group Drug Policy Alliance, told the Associated Press last month: "This is the first time I feel like the wind is at my back and not in my face."<br /><br />I'm sure, given the choice, Phelps would prefer not to be a milestone on the road to the marijuana's mainstreaming. Still, what we're witnessing is the death of a certain kind of shame.<br /><br />Advertising -- and that's what celebrity-athlete endorsements are -- is a highly sensitive antenna of culture. Because it strives to reach, hold and please the greatest number of people, it represents a special threshold of cultural acceptance, the floorboards of the norm. The return of brand Phelps says more about us than it does about him.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-neil7-2009jul07,1,3783714.column">Source</a></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3188381087547984694-7609655919532616514?l=swimlikemichaelphelps.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Jan Silanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08101505002421999429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188381087547984694.post-90380277981524738462009-08-03T19:52:00.000-07:002009-08-03T19:52:00.370-07:00Michael Phelps Says Knutson is Focused<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Michael Phelps has nothing but good things to say about Dagny Knutson, Minot`s swimming star.<br /><br />The 17-year-old is competing this week in the U.S. Swimming National Championships in Indianapolis, Indiana.<br /><br />She has made a name for herself in the swimming world including competing in the olympic trials, breaking Olympian Katie Hoffs record in the 400 meter individual medley at the short course nationals, and earning countless medals. Recently, she was featured in an article in Sports Illustrated Magazine.<br /><br />Today, at a press conference in Indianapolis, 14-time Gold Medalist Michael Phelps told reporters, "You can tell when you`re working out that she`s focused on what she`s doing and she`s focused on her goals. So as long as she continues that I think she`s going to be fine."<br /><br />Phelps trained with Knutson this summer in Colorado springs.<br /><br />Knutson races Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday. With a strong showing this week at the US National Championships, Knutson will make a strong case for the 2012 London Olympic team. Knutson has already shown she can beat the worlds best when she defeated Katie Hoff at the Charlotte UltraSwim back in May. She will need to finish 1st or 2nd this week in any of the events to qualify for the World Championships in Rome.<br /><br />"It`s very nice. Even though I have one race a day with prelims and finals and being your very best for every race, so one day off is really good just before the last day," says Knutson.<br /><br />Matt Lowe is also competing this week at the championships.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.kfyrtv.com/News_Stories.asp?news=31776">Source</a></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3188381087547984694-9038027798152473846?l=swimlikemichaelphelps.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Jan Silanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08101505002421999429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188381087547984694.post-68596720514459809882009-08-02T19:51:00.000-07:002009-08-02T19:51:00.438-07:00Michael Phelps is Subway's new pitch man<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Indianapolis - It was lunchtime at a downtown Subway, but customers found themselves locked out. That's because the chain's newest pitchman was out of the pool and on his way.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Olympic gold medalist Michael Phelps stopped by for commercial footage and to learn the basics of sandwich-making from Indy's own Subway spokesperson Jared Fogle.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">It was a rare time-out for an athlete hoping to once again make waves, this time in the USA Swimming nationals held at the IU Natatorium this week.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Phelps has a fondness for meatball subs and Indianapolis. He made his first Olympic team here in 2000.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">"The crowd is always amazing. People are cool and one of the coolest things is the crowd here is always yelling and screaming and the cheering makes it more exciting and you swim faster," Phelps said.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Phelps works out five hours a day, six days a week, and consumes upwards of 7,000 calories a day.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">As for what Phelps does when he isn't swimming or eating, "I just hang out and veg. It's pretty low key," he said.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Whether he's in the pool or out of it, Phelps always draws a crowd.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">"I work upstairs and people told me Michael helps was downstairs. I have no shame. I put my face up against the glass," said Meredith Smith.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">"I thought it wasn't real. It's like, hey, Michael Phelps is walking out of subway," said a teenage boy.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Laid back and relaxed out of the pool, the superstar swimmer hopes his celebrity helps the sport and inspires kids.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">"The biggest thing is dream big and never give up. Growing up I wanted to be an Olympic gold medalist and it didn't matter what pushed in my way - I went through ups and downs and I put my mind to it," he said.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">As for other things, we had to ask: Is he dating anyone?</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">"That's part of my personal life. You guys know everything. I gotta keep something to myself!" he said, smiling.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The USA Swimming Nationals start Tuesday and runs through Saturday July 11th. <br /><br />Every day:<br />Doors open at 7:30a.m.<br />Preliminaries start at 9:00a.m. immediately followed by Time Trials.<br />Athlete Autograph Sessions in the Gym are at 4:30 p.m. up until the Finals which begin at 6 p.m.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.usaswimming.org/USASWeb/_Rainbow/Documents/2b66014b-e0b3-4afa-9d1b-b9eba44b2610/MediaGuideNationals09.pdf" target="_blank">Click here for the competition schedule and ticket prices.</a> </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The following is the TV broadcast schedule for the ConocoPhillips National Championships/World Championship Team Trials:</div><ul style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><li>Tuesday, July 7 </li></ul><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">6:00 to 7:30 p.m. <br /><a href="http://www.wthr.com/Global/story.asp?S=10197411&nav=menu188_5" target="_blank">Universal Sports</a> (Live)</div><ul style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><li>Wednesday, July 8</li></ul><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">6:00 to 7:30 p.m.<br />Universal Sports (Live)</div><ul style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><li>Saturday, July 11</li></ul><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">1:00 to 3:00 p.m.<br />NBC (Taped)</div><ul style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><li>Sunday, July 12</li></ul><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">2:00 to 3:00 p.m.<br />NBC (Taped)</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Also, all Prelims and Finals sessions will be webcast live on Swimnetwork.com. Swimnetwork will also be hosting a "pre-game show" each evening as an in-venue and webcast lead-up to the finals.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.wthr.com/Global/story.asp?S=10657430&nav=9Tai">Source </a><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3188381087547984694-6859672051445980988?l=swimlikemichaelphelps.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Jan Silanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08101505002421999429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188381087547984694.post-73664618548343995542009-08-01T19:51:00.000-07:002009-08-01T19:51:00.483-07:00Phelps, Fogle pair up in Subway ad<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - Indiana's own Jared Fogle is teaming up with Olympic gold medalist and world champion Michael Phelps.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">As <a href="http://www.wishtv.com/dpp/sports/Phelps_in_Indy_with_a_lot_to_prove_20090706" target="_blank"><strong>Phelps prepares to compete in the national championships in Indy</strong> </a>, he took a quick lunch break with Subway's national spokesperson. <br /><br />The new commercials feature Fogle and Phelps, showing people how you can be yourself at Subway and that you can pick whatever you want. <br /><br />In the commercial, Fogle even shows Phelps the proper way to make a sandwich. <br /><br />In case you're curious, it takes at least six sandwiches to stretch the length of Phelps' arms. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><a href="http://draft.blogger.com/goog_1248749468895"><br /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.wishtv.com/dpp/sports/Phelps_Fogle_pair_up_in_Subway_ad_20090707">Source</a></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3188381087547984694-7366461854834399554?l=swimlikemichaelphelps.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Jan Silanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08101505002421999429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188381087547984694.post-46349812654917590462009-07-31T19:50:00.000-07:002009-07-31T19:50:00.466-07:00Phelps on short game for 2012<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> BEIJING, July 7 (Xinhuanet) -- Olympic gold medalist Michael Phelps is trying a midcareer shift. He has shelved events such as the 400-meter individual medley, which he has dominated for nearly a decade, to involve himself in shorter races, including the 100 freestyle, according to media reports. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> At the U.S. swimming championships that begin Tuesday and at worlds in Rome this month, Michael Phelps will perfect his skills in shorter games. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> In recent warm-up meets, he has won the 100 freestyle once and finished second twice. He has set a personal best in the 100 butterfly but also has finished second twice in the 100 backstroke. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> "It's going to be really difficult for him," says swimming analyst Rowdy Gaines "I think it takes a tremendous amount of courage, swimming-wise, to step out of your comfort zone." </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> "I have unfinished business," Phelps said Monday. "When I look back on my career, I want to say I did everything that I wanted to do." </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> "In the 100 free, I know I'm not the best. But if I have the opportunity to step up and race the best, that's something I've always enjoyed," </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> At this week's U.S. championships, Phelps is entered in the 100 and 200 freestyle and the 100 and 200 butterfly. The top two finishers in each event at nationals will qualify for worlds. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> Phelps won a record eight gold medals at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, China, four years after he won six gold medals at the Summer Olympics in Athens, Greece. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><a href="http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-07/07/content_11669197.htm">Source </a><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3188381087547984694-4634981265491759046?l=swimlikemichaelphelps.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Jan Silanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08101505002421999429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188381087547984694.post-23764474474705664672009-07-30T19:49:00.000-07:002009-07-30T19:49:00.081-07:00It's not all about Phelps<div class="blogentry" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> To the casual sports fan, knowledge of swimming begins and ends with Michael Phelps. I get that.<br />But there is so much more to the sport, as there is in all sports in which superstars (Tiger Woods, Roger Federer, Kobe Bryant and LeBron James) obscure everyone else.<br />Consider a few of the story lines from Tuesday's first night of finals in the ConocoPhillips USA Swimming Championships at the Natatorium at IUPUI.<br />-- Cancer survivor Eric Shanteau finished second in the 100-meter breaststroke behind Eric Gangloff's American record of 59.01. Shanteau has been seeing Indianapolis oncologist Larry Einhorn, who led the medical team that treated cyclist Lance Armstrong for cancer in 1996. Shanteau's story overshadowed that of Gangloff, who has a good one himself. Gangloff, 27, has labored for years to break the 1-minute mark . . . and then nearly whizzed right past 59 to 58.<br />"I've spent a lot of time right at the one-double-o," Gangloff said. "I knew the breakthrough was coming."<br />Brendan Hansen's American record of 59.13 had stood since 2006. Japan's Kosuke Kitajima set the world record of 58.91 at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.<br />-- Dana Vollmer was nearly shattered by not making the Olympic team last year. At age 16, in 2004, she won a gold medal on the U.S. 4x200 freestyle relay team that broke East Germany's 17-year-old world record. Vollmer said she went home to Granbury, Texas, took a month and a half off -- her longest break in years -- and let her ailing back heal. This year, she has had no back pain. She was the NCAA swimmer of the year for Cal. On Tuesday, she was second in the 100 butterfly to make the world team going to Rome.<br />-- Ryan Lochte is probably the best swimmer in the world not named Michael Phelps. Without wearing a high-tech bodysuit, Lochte came from behind to win the 400 individual medley in 4:06.40, or nearly as fast as he swam (4:06.08) in pressuring Phelps at the 2008 Olympic Trials. Lochte won bronze in Beijing. It's easy to forget he has won six Olympic medals, three of them gold. Even without Phelps, the 400 IM continues to be a U.S. strength. Lochte barely beat 20-year-old Tyler Clary, whose 4:06.96 put him No. 4 on the all-time list. Phelps and Lochte are two of the three ahead of him. <br />Not every story was feel-good Tuesday night. The 17-year-old North Dakota phenom, Dagny Knutson, was fourth in the 200 IM and .08 away from the world team. Fortunately, she has other events.<br />Katie Hoff has apparently not fully recovered from an illness that caused her to leave the Santa Clara, Calif., meet earlier this year. She was sixth in the 400 freestyle.<br />Phelps, by the way, starts competition Wednesday morning in prelims of the 200 freestyle and 200 butterfly.<br /><br /><a href="http://blogs.indystar.com/woods/2009/07/its_not_all_about_phelps.html">Source </a></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3188381087547984694-2376447447470566467?l=swimlikemichaelphelps.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Jan Silanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08101505002421999429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188381087547984694.post-35382054018143178212009-07-29T19:48:00.000-07:002009-07-29T19:48:00.332-07:00New Champion Emerges in the Grueling 400 I.M.INDIANAPOLIS — <a href="http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/people/p/michael_phelps/index.html?inline=nyt-per" title="More articles about Michael Phelps.">Michael Phelps</a> was gone Tuesday morning when the USA Swimming National Championships got under way. <br />The black widow of swimming, the 400-meter individual medley, had claimed its most celebrated victim. Phelps warmed up and then left, having chosen not to compete in his signature race, which for years had been the showcase for his versatility and indefatigability. <br />“I like watching it from the sidelines,” he said. <br />Phelps showed up to watch the final and was treated to a fantastic race. The favorite, <a href="http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/people/l/ryan_lochte/index.html?inline=nyt-per" title="More articles about Ryan Lochte.">Ryan Lochte</a>, overtook Tyler Clary, who swam the first 250 meters under Phelps’s world-record pace, on the final lap to win. Lochte was clocked in 4 minutes 06.40 seconds to Clary’s 4:06.96. With the victory, Lochte qualified for the FINA World Championships in Rome later this month. <br />On a night full of photo finishes, two American records fell: Julia Smit of Stanford in the 200 individual medley and Mark Gangloff in the 100 breaststroke. <br />Phelps, a 14-time Olympic gold medalist, got deeply entangled in the 400 I.M. in 2002 when he set his first world record in the race. In the six years leading to his gold-medal swim in Beijing, Phelps was beaten in the event once. <br />Phelps came to fear the 400 I.M. for the usual reasons: the muscle aches, the nausea and a temporary paralysis that can make breathing difficult. <br />“It’s one of the hardest races,” he said, “and I’d like to try other events.” <br />The last time Phelps swam the race in the United States, at the 2008 Olympic trials, he and Lochte produced a riveting race, with Phelps prevailing and both swimmers surpassing Phelps’s existing world record. <br />Lochte, who is expected to inherit Phelps’s 400 I.M. throne, missed having Phelps around Tuesday. Misery, after all, loves company. <br />“It kind of stinks that he’s not swimming it,” Lochte said. <br />He sounded envious, and sure enough, Lochte plans to follow Phelps to the sideline. “After this summer I’m done with this event,” he said. <br />Why is the 400 I.M. the event everybody seems to love to hate? <br /><a href="http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/people/h/katie_hoff/index.html?inline=nyt-per" title="More articles about Katie Hoff.">Katie Hoff</a>, the American women’s record-holder in the event and a former world-record holder, said: “It doesn’t matter how hard you train or how many ridiculously horrible I.M. sets you do, the race doesn’t get any easier. It might get a little bit easier, but it’s still going to hurt more than any event out there.” <br />Hoff and the event are in the midst of a one-year trial separation that Hoff hopes to make permanent. (Her coach, Bob Bowman, is pushing for a reconciliation in 2010.) <br />“I get the most nervous for it, I have the most pain,” she said. “It’s just not a pleasant event.” <br />The 400 I.M. is the decathlon and the <a href="http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/subjects/b/belmont_stakes/index.html?inline=nyt-classifier" title="">Belmont Stakes</a> rolled into one eight-lap gut-check. Bowman, who coaches Hoff and Phelps said: “You’ve got to be a distance swimmer, you’ve got to be a sprinter. You’ve got to do all the strokes, you have to have strength. You have to cover every base and that requires a training program which is puritanical.” <br />In the opinion of the 24-year-old Lochte, the event is best left to the young. “I’m getting too old,” he said. <br />There is a trick coaches will occasionally resort to when their swimmers are weary and threatening mutiny. They will designate someone to swim a time trial in front of his or her teammates, and if the athlete surpasses a target time, everybody gets to get out. <br />The men’s 400 I.M. final in Beijing was essentially a time trial with the world watching and medals handed out at the end. Phelps lowered his world record by more than a second to win the gold. He swam fast enough to get out of the event for the rest of his career, while Lochte, who finished third, did not. <br />Lochte was slowed in Beijing by an upset stomach he came down with after brushing his teeth with water from the tap in the athletes’ village. After nearly pulling off the upset of Phelps at the United States trials with a time of 4:06.08, Lochte faded to a 4:08.09 in the Olympic final. <br />“I’m sick of it,” he said, “but I didn’t have a real good 400 I.M. at the Olympics, so my coach said I had to swim it this year.” <br />Clary, who finished fourth in the event at the United States Olympic trials, led all the swimmers in the preliminaries. Upon touching in a personal best of 4:11.29, he hopped out of the pool as if he had just taken a bath. <br />“It wasn’t a very taxing swim for me,” Clary said. <br />Clary, 20, said he was friendly with Lochte, the freest of spirits, and it was easy to see why. In his USA Swimming biography, Clay wrote that he was a practical joker who liked “dancing in the car, just basically acting stupid and really shocking other people.” <br />Both have curly hair and smiles as broad as their shoulders, but they are not hard to tell apart. Clary is the one who embraces the 400 I.M.<br />“I love the event,” he said, adding, “People will see a great 400 I.M. and they’ll know how much training and straight-up guts it took.” <br />Lochte said he ran into Phelps and gave him grief about not swimming the 400 I.M. anymore. He accused him of taking the easy way out. <br />That is how it is with the 400 I.M. The enduring becomes its own kind of reward.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/08/sports/08swim.html?ref=sports">Source </a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3188381087547984694-3538205401814317821?l=swimlikemichaelphelps.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Jan Silanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08101505002421999429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188381087547984694.post-20918967027110698572009-07-28T19:47:00.000-07:002009-07-28T19:47:00.259-07:00New Michael Phelps Ad Tries to Capitalize on Marijuana ControversyCheck out Subway's new "Be Yourself" ad featuring Michael Phelps:<br /><div class="content"><br />The ad concludes "You can always be yourself at Subway." The whole thing is a brilliantly veiled reference to the backlash against Kellogg's that emerged when they dropped Phelps for smoking pot. Better yet, Subway has launched a new promotional website at <a href="http://www.subwayfreshbuzz.com/" target="_blank">Subway<strong>freshbuzz</strong>.com</a>. You see what they're doing, right?<br /><br />The new campaign is already generating <a href="http://news.google.com/news?um=1&ned=us&hl=en&q=michael+phelps+Subway" target="_blank">tons of press coverage</a>, including <a href="http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-neil7-2009jul07,1,3783714.column" target="_blank">positive</a> <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/07/07/michael-phelps-new-subway_n_226933.html" target="_blank">reactions</a> to the ad's apparent reference to the infamous marijuana incident. It's a brilliant maneuver by Subway and, hopefully, an early indicator that corporate America is finally learning that it makes more sense to wink at pot culture than risk alienating it.<br /><br />Once again, I'm humbled by the immeasurable impact of the Michael Phelps marijuana saga. I'm seeing discussion of the <a href="http://draft.blogger.com/speakeasy_main/2009/feb/07/boycott_kellogg_s_fight_corporat" target="_blank">Kellogg's boycott</a> reemerging in comment threads around the web today and I don't think one can easily exaggerate what a major event that was, and still is, for our cause. Along with the intense and heavily-publicized popularity of marijuana reform questions on the President's website, it's becoming widely understood that marijuana culture has a tremendous and now powerfully intimidating web presence.<br /><br />In the age of viral web marketing and online-everything, the visible web presence of marijuana culture becomes a potent weapon that's now reshaping the debate right before our eyes. For fear of offending us, <a href="http://draft.blogger.com/chronicle_blog/2009/mar/26/obama_wont_say_why_he_opposes_ma" target="_blank">the President</a> and his <a href="http://draft.blogger.com/chronicle_blog/2009/jun/15/drug_czar_gets_humiliated_in_rol" target="_blank">drug czar</a> can scarcely utter more than a vague sentence in defense of our marijuana laws. Meanwhile, the mainstream press is hustling marijuana stories like dimebags in a city park. And Subway is celebrating freedom of personal choice in a new ad campaign featuring the world's most famous marijuana user.<br /><br />The war remains, but the battlefield has changed. I can smell it, like the aroma of fresh baked bread wafting free from the entrance of the Subway down the block from our office, which I might just visit tomorrow for the first time in a while.</div><div class="content"><br /></div><div class="content"><a href="http://stopthedrugwar.org/chronicle_blog/2009/jul/07/new_michael_phelps_ad_tries_to_c">Source</a><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3188381087547984694-2091896702711069857?l=swimlikemichaelphelps.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Jan Silanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08101505002421999429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188381087547984694.post-88932643585997077562009-07-27T19:42:00.000-07:002009-07-27T19:47:10.050-07:00Michael Phelps Getting Back In The WaterSome athletes might be done after eight Olympic gold medals. Not Michael Phelps. He'll be swimming competitively again Wednesday at the IUPUI natatorium. <br /><br /><strong></strong><object classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" height="30" width="200" xcodebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab"><param name="_cy" value="794"><param name="FlashVars" value=""><param name="Movie" value="/EI/G/Flash/RTEMp3Player.swf?File=http://media.wibc.com/Audio/phelps_070809.mp3"><param name="Src" value="/EI/G/Flash/RTEMp3Player.swf?File=http://media.wibc.com/Audio/phelps_070809.mp3"><param name="WMode" value="Window"><param name="Play" value="0"><param name="Loop" value="-1"><param name="Quality" value="High"><param name="SAlign" value=""><param name="Menu" value="-1"><param name="Base" value=""><param name="AllowScriptAccess" value=""><param name="Scale" value="ShowAll"><param name="DeviceFont" value="0"><param name="EmbedMovie" value="0"><param name="BGColor" value=""><param name="SWRemote" value=""><param name="MovieData" value=""><param name="SeamlessTabbing" value="1"><param name="Profile" value="0"><param name="ProfileAddress" value=""><param name="ProfilePort" value="0"><param name="AllowNetworking" value="all"><param name="AllowFullScreen" value="false"></object>Phelps can shoot to improve on his own world record in the 200-meter butterfly today. He recently came within .08 of a second of Ian Crocker's record in the 100 meter event. <br /><br />The immediate goal in the ConocoPhillips USA Swimming Championships is to win a spot on the US team and with it, the right to compete in the World Championships later this month in Rome. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.wibc.com/news/Story.aspx?id=1111517">Source</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3188381087547984694-8893264358599707756?l=swimlikemichaelphelps.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Jan Silanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08101505002421999429noreply@blogger.com0