I'm depressed. I'm lost. I have no path to take...swimming-wise...... Well, not really, but this weekend, the weekend after GOLDEN GOGGLES, after celebrating this historic year, it feels that way.
I, of course, have a path, and a plan, and goals for 2009, but everybody else is worried about the economy.
I'm not! I think SWIMMING is in the profit-pocket! A little piece of heaven! A warm-wet, safe-haven of goodness and prosperity! As a whole, the swimming community is going to shine in 2009!
What to do? Thank everyone that came along for this ride, so far, and to remind them, my GMM PARTNERS, that I remain a passionate fan of all things OLYMPIC, especially swimming.
Aside from cutting more behind-the-scenes videos (hours of media now, which I'm behind on) I'm building out this site. I'm going to reach-out monthly to age-group swimmers, and masters swimmers, as well as those world-class types....
Bottom-line: I love bringing attention to the great personalities in our sport. Some are kicking-ass online, in their own way. Case in point: 2008 gold medalist in the 4x100 free relay, Garret Weber Gale. Check out his blog. You might like it. He's a foodie, and smart, and he writes VERY WELL.
Masters swimmers? I'm a fan of Tony Austin. He writes the best masters blog I've read this year. Check him out!
Have I missed anyone? Hell yeah! The fans! I have connected with thousands of swimming fans since August alone. Many have become good friends (thanks to facebook and youtube and swimnetwork).
My heart, however, belongs to Chris LaBianco (aside from my wife, Tif). Many of you know him as "LaBi" from our Olympic vlogs. LaBi's the head of USA Swimming's Foundation, and the most positive person I've met in many, many years... Sounds funny to gush about LaBi, but what he's done for swimming as a whole, this year, is mind-boggling! I won't be able to share it for a few months, but I can, slowly, next spring.... Better yet, LaBi can vlog about it (maybe even in a Chinese fighter-pilot helmet).
NEWS TODAY? STEPHANIE BROWN TRAFTON has won, or is about to win the JESSE OWENS award. Stephanie's not a swimmer. She's an Olympic discus thrower, and the first American to win gold since 1932. I interviewed her at the Olympic Games in Beijing. She was exceedingly tired, but a real trooper...very nice.
It's great to hear that USA Swimming has big plans for '09. Swimming only has Michael Phelps for another 4 years and with his name attached, the sky is the limit as to what can be accomplished. If people are attracted initially because of Phelps, they'll soon get to know Lochte, Lesak, Peirsol, GWG and others and discover there's much to love and admire about them too.
Posted by: Kris | November 23, 2008 at 10:09 AM
Crystal, I'm excited too--because I know what's in store, and potentially in store for 2009. In Jan '09 I can begin to talk about it. USA Swimming has literally been working nonstop since Beijing to make the most of their moment in the sun, and build on it..... Re Garret: I'm a new reader of his. (My wife turned me on to his blog.) The guy updates his blog a lot, and he's got a unique story. His blog's all about diet, which is something I didn't concern myself with when I competed. He uses the "Foodie" through-line to keep your attention, but it's the personal "inside his head" stuff that I love. He's extremely honest, which is rare for an Olympian.....
Posted by: gold Medal Mel | November 22, 2008 at 11:00 PM
you gave gwg some bloggin' love :)
i think things can only continue to go up in the swimming world in 09. it's gained so much popularity and interest just since the beijing olympics, it's crazy. when it comes to this, i feel like a kid on christmas. i can feel something major is in the works (swimming wise) right now and it can't get here soon enough.
am i excited about all of this? very much so!
Posted by: Crystal | November 22, 2008 at 09:32 PM