Off the Deck

Michael Phelps was not what I was planning to blog about today. But considering today’s news, how can I not comment here?

I fully accepted his mea culpa after his first um, “youthful indescretion” following the last Olympics. (Remember kids: alcohol and driving don’t mix!) I chocked it up to young-boy dumb behavior that occurs when blowing off steam.

Today however, I am kind of annoyed at his stock “I messed up. I let people down. I won’t do it again” groomed PR message. Especially because it seems as if the pot-smoking wasn’t an isolated incident event over the past few months. And because he apparently did not learn his “lesson” or live up to his promise from four years ago.

Granted, I don’t know him personally. But the latest news has me wondering if a bigger problem exists. Perhaps it’s as simple as finding a more balanced lifestyle to prevent him from going bezerkers after each Olympics.

Or, maybe Michael needs to address why he seems to make some bad choices beyond the pool.

Yes, I know, there are raging debates about if pot is harmful or not. And if Michael doesn’t want to be a role model, that’s fine too — it’s his choice. But to me, it seems as if there are other healthier, non-destructive ways to have fun, especially if you have loads of money. I’m just saying…

Until next time,
Rebecca, swim evangelist

Now that I’ve had to catch up on all the events I missed while at LC Nats, here’s a second “random thoughts” collection on the Olympics:

–I know I keep picking on Ian Crocker as the example, but again, I have to say I really would want to swim more than one individual event (if possible) at big meets like Trials and the Games. It must be excruciating to sit through your nerves on top of all the good/bad teammate-swims drama. Especially because in Ian’s case, the 100 fly was one of the last events.

–My “make the best of an opportunity” award goes to Arkady Vyatchanin, who made the 100 back finals by winning a swin off, only to tie for bronze.

–I am tired of hearing that Katie Hoff is “over-rated.” Sure, she didn’t pull a Phelps to win a gold in every event, but she still threw down at least one PR and earned two medals. She simply was out-swum, which happens. Furthermore, her recent Olympic results do not tarnish her already outstanding world/national circuit accomplishments. I’m positive that “what could we have done differently” sessions with her coach will occur soon. But she’ll be back, and better than ever because Katie has yet to swim to her full capability on the Olympic scene — a very motivating burr for the next four years.

–Speaking of Phelps, what can I say that hasn’t already been said? I remain in awe. After all the talk about switching his event focus for London 2012 (dropping the 400 IM for example) I can’t wait to see how he does in potential events such as the 200/100 back and who knows, maybe even the breasts!

–I loved Dara Torres’ “masters moment” when she insisted on holding up her 50 free heat until her fellow competitor had replaced her torn suit. Not only does her behavior match the Olympic creed so well, it was refreshing to see it action in swimming amid the usual “controversies” that popped up in other sports (charges of underaged gymnasts, suspect judging, political tension, and much, much more!) I also loved watching Dara’s pure enjoyment of the moment. More often than not, she was caught on camera just looking around the cube and smiling, sucking in the electric Olympic atmosphere at the pool.

–Is it just me or has Amanda Beard gotten, well, kind of “harsh?” Sure, we no longer expect a teddybear-carrying young teen, but I was surprised to see how sharp her facial features have become when spied (sans hair/makeup crews for Speedo promos) in the stands watching finals. Even more surprising are her harsh comments regarding Michael Phelps, delivered on a national platform. Ok, we get that he’s “not your type” and that you wouldn’t date him, but there are ways to gracefully answer those kinds of silly questions (or completely devalue them by not answering) without attacking the personality and looks of the person in question.

–Rebecca Soni wins my award for “most focused and poised.” She didn’t get caught up in the Olympic hype, deflected controversy to nil while stepping up to fill in for Jessica Hardy in the 100 breast, believed in herself, and got the job done. In several events.

–I enjoyed seeing the one brief “behind the scenes” moment when we were privvy to the warm up pool, massage stations, and more. Yes, I understand the average American could care less what happens before or after anything other than a final in which an American wins, but as a swim junky, (and I know others are out there!), I like to see and hear all the details!

Until next time,
Rebecca, swim evangelist

This week’s post is a collection of random thoughts on Olympic swimming as events unfold in Beijing (and as I catch up with viewing via tape)…

–How can I not start off with Brendan Hansen after mentioning him so much here lately? I must admit, although shocked by his lackluster prelims preformance, I was willing to ante-in on his self-described poker game and wait and see what cards he’d reveal in finals. Unfortunately, he didn’t seem to have much more than a pair of twos. Honestly, at this point, his track record has me stumped. The guy’s obviously got talent, which he backs up with training, because he’s beaten the field (particulalry his arch-nemesis) before and has set world records. Does he suffer from an Olympic block? Is he a poor race strategist? Does he make bad “taper vs all out” choices? Personally, I’m standing by my “it’s a mental thing” assessment. I just haven’t seen “I own this race” confidence in him–not at Trials, not at the Games.

–Yes, the USA swim team is throwing down some good results (PRs, ARs, Michael Phelps is more than delivering, “medal surprises” are begining to surface such as in the women’s 100 fly, etc.) But I can’t help but think there’s still going to be a sit-down talk among the powers that be about how to “regain former American dominance” in swimming once these Games conclude. Clearly, the podium has never been so diverse in nations. And while PRs and ARs are always something to celebrate, we’re finding out that they just aren’t enough anymore.

–On the same note, unless you’re Micahel Phelps, the old “hang back and reel them in” ploy just isn’t working anymore. If you want to go for gold, you need to stay with the lead pack and make a breakout from there.

–Aren’t Olympic years awesome for swimming? First, there’s all the caliber swimming, willingly broadcasted on major networks. I’ve spotted at least three different swimmers on current magazine covers (none of them sports related) and Michael Phelps popped up on my “check out bonus” coupon today at the grocery store. Even more exciting, this is the first time (that I can recall) that I’ve overheard random people, and most importantly, non-swimmers, discussing last night’s swim results (men’s 400 free relay) as if it were a key major league game everywhere I’ve gone today! Maybe this time the hype will stick, and swimming will remain more visible in the public eye until the next Olympic spotlight. And that can only mean good things for our sport — more participants, more pools and more money to suport all of it.

–Is it just me or are the LAZR suits (I think the brand is Arena) with the swirly blue spirals on the front a little too “feminine” for the men to wear? I don’t know why, they just kind of startle me each time I see a male swimmer approach the block in one…I love the American pattern though — very fierce!

Until next time,
Rebecca, swim evangelist

I have a lot of unanswered questions right now.

Foremost, what happens now? Is a resolution, backed by research and evidence, even possible prior to the Olympics? Will Jessica swim in Beijing simply because legal procedures could drag the case on for months, even years?

How do you get a negative-positive-negative result over a consecutive six-day span? Is that in itself a red flag that the second sample might have been compromised in some way?

I’d also like to know to what degree the middle test was positive — just a trace, which means there is some grey area, or was there tons of clenbuterol in her system, leaving no doubt of misconduct?

How is Jessica’s training going right now? It’s got to be incredibly tough to remain foucsed when your status concerning the biggest meet of your life is up in the air.

What is Tara Kirk, who touched the wall in third place in the 100m breast by just one-one hundredth of a second, thinking right now? Especially since even if Jessica is removed from the team, it’s too late to add runner-up Tara to the roster.

The saddest part of this fiasco is the damage it’s going to inflict on both Jessica and swimming. In terms of Jessica, even if she is innocent, without a decisive and rational explanation for test failure, clearing her to the satisfaction of all minds will be tough. And, clouds of suspicion have been known to linger. More important though, if she has taken something on a regular basis, the potential payback in the future can far outweigh a moment of youthful glory. (i.e. check out the health problems the steroid-riddled female East Germans from the 70s are facing today.)

As for swimming, even the hint of doping in one person, whether proven or not, encourages people to assume that others do it too. Outstanding performances, world records and upsets at Beijing will now be viewed with perhaps just a little less awe now that spectators are thinking, “well, maybe they take something…”

Until next time,
Rebecca, swim evangelist

p.s. now that I have had time to watch the Trials a second time, here are some more random thoughts:

–Does Brendan Hanson have a sports psychologist? Not only does he have trouble closing the deal during Olympic events, he looks defeated before he even gets on the block.

–Did Dara’s loved ones choose to sit in the rafters? Surely a four-time Olympian vying for a fifth trip (and one who has thrown down “I’m a serious contender” times in the past year) rates cushy seats for her loved ones amongst the other swim families.

–Thank god LZR suits are so tight. Many of the men are wearing the “legging” style so low that I was afraid we’d see more of swimmers than we’d want want to otherwise.

–As a non-sprinting-sluggish-turn swimmer, I am in awe of the difference some of the turns made in races.

–I also have even more respect for swimmers who know how to finish — Dara Torres, Michael Phelps, Aaron Perisol — they have the best final 5 meters out there, every time.

Whew, what a week of swimming! The 2008 Olympic Trials had everything a good Trials should — spectacular racing, a smattering of new records, solid results from “ones to watch,” amazing comebacks, retirement annoucements, upsets, and more.

Here’s a recap of some the things I thought about while watching this past week:

–I love the side-grip (vs parallel) backstroke starting block bars. Without even trying one, this starting position seems to be so much more shoulder-friendly and thus efficient.

–”Media 101″ must be part of every Trials swimmers’ prep work. Certainly, the Michael Phelps and Natalie Coughlins of the world are very practiced at on-camera interviews, but even the young up-starts were very poised and generous on camera. Each took time to state admiration for their fellow competitors as well as thank them for providing wonderful racing conditions.

–I know many people find Gary Hall Jr. obnoxious, but I always look forward to his “show.” In my book, his proven track record of success earns him the right to be outspoken and mess around with a cape and sharp shooting behind the blocks if he chooses. And, I can’t help but be impressed by the level of athleticism he maintains as a diabetic.

–Speaking of swimmers who do it “their way,” two of my favorite things about Dara Tores are her old-school 80s goggles (did she stockpile them or are they on the market beyond eBay?) and how she pops up after turns, shunning the underwater dolfining. And she still wins.

–I don’t know how people like Ian Crocker can handle training for and racing just one event in the biggest meet in the past four years. Sure, he has a shot at the fly leg on the medley relay, but still. I’d want to do at least one other event “just for fun” to loosen up, get rid of some nerves and get used to the pool.

–Is it just me or was Michael Phelps’ practice suit the coolest combo of colors ever? It was tough to see the actual pattern, but the background was white with hot shades of orange, purple, pink, etc.

–My pet peeve is the same from Trials to Trials: quit cutting to commercials during the distance events. The 800 is 9 minutes max. We can’t have straight programming for just 9 minutes?!? I realize many non-swimming viewers don’t care if they see an entire distance event, but by the time we “come back” to the 800 or the 1500, the race has changed dramatically. I for one, would like to see how the swimmers’ strategies play out, lap per lap.

–The best part of Trials? Seeing nearly full capacity each night, a crowd that got on their feet and cheered every close call and world-record pace chase to their conclusion. It’s the enthusiasm world-class swimming deserves.

Until next time,
Rebecca, swim evangelist