Stephanie's anti-gay tweet has ripped her imagine for the last 24 hours, not to mention costing her a high-profile endorsement with Jaguar. While her friends and Olympic swimming peers know she is not homophobic, they are quick to add that it was an unfortunate lapse of judgement with catastrophic consequences.
With the biographical addition in Wikipedia, it's already a part of "Rice history":
Twitter controversy
In September 2010, Rice came under fire for tweeting an allegedly homophobic slur in response to the Wallabies defeat of the Springboks. Consequently one of her sponsors, Jaguar has ceased all association with the athlete.[13]
Social media has been a boon to Olympians who rarely reach their audience outside of National Championship, World Championship and Olympic competitions. To date, this is the first case I've witnessed where its misuse has cost an Olympian an endorsement. If there are other cases of misuse, I would be curious to see the examples. Please comment or email me directly.
Brandon's like me, about the same age, doing everything he can to stay fit, swimming.
There's been a lot of smack-talk about the 50 yard fly at Masters Nationals coming up this spring in Clovis, CA. I've got my goal times, and Brandon's got his, and Keith Dennison is a big question mark. I got a feeling Brandon will be sub 25 seconds. I went about that fast back in November, as a get-out-swim, at the GOLDEN GOGGLES / USA SWIMMING FOUNDATION / MASTERS SWIMMING CLINIC in Manhattan. (Please note: The USA Swimming Foundation will be doing more clinics in 2009, with more Olympians, with great instruction while having a great time!)
Keith, though, he worries me. I trained with Keith at the peak of my career, and I never ever beat him in a practice, in a sprint fly repeat. Keith's a long-time friend and great guy.
However, I have a feeling, Keith's sneaking around, doing double workouts, or something extra between now and Masters National Championships on the side. I don't know what it is, but I must admit I've been worrying about it.
Being an Olympic Gold Medalist in the 200 fly, I shouldn't have anything left to prove.....but I'm feeling the heat, feeling the pressure....I think I need to drill-down and get serious about my tiny swimming workouts. (If any spies out there want to let me in on Keith's plan, I ready and willing to listen.)
I suppose we are all just a bunch of old swimming geeks. That's ok. I can accept it. As a matter of fact, I wouldn't want it any other way...
If you missed my SWIMNETWORK INTERVIEWS at the Long Beach Grand Prix, here they are:
Note: I buttoned my interview with Ous, calling him "MeZOOLIE. I edited the piece and would've cut it to protect my mistake. However, I liked Ous throwing the "peace sign" too much. I would've lost that tiny piece of tape, so I had to live with my embarrassing mistake. :(
Up next on my web talk show, GOLD MEDAL MINUTE, B.J. Bedford Miller, the funniest woman in swimming...aside from also being an Olympic gold medalist....
PLEASE NOTE SOME OTHER bloggers and columnists I've been reading and loving lately:
Reactions to my open letter to Michael Phelps' agent were swift and insightful. It's clear Michael has a lot of love from his fans, but it's also crystal clear that many are worried about him.
I want to say this once and for all: Michael's going to have fun and do what most any guy would do at this point in his life. (Outside of the water, he is as normal as any guy you'll meet.) Unfortunately, every move he makes has been and will be captured and preyed upon because of his fame--which sells magazines.
From my experience, hovering around the periphery (at competitions, or parties, or Phelps appearances), he's slammed by people "wanting him." It must be exhausting. But he seems to handle it well. I think he gives a lot of canned answers in interviews to simply to pace himself. And he has to stay "on message" when he's talking about swimming. What else is there when you're Mr. Swimming.
Also, reporters rarely ask him interesting questions. When they do, Michael gives interesting answers. I think a big issue for us (those in the know, with an understanding of swimming) is that we've already heard all the answers. There's still a huge population getting indoctrinated, so to speak. Michael (and his agent Peter) are well aware of this.
So, to the point of this blog: If you're in the know, and want something more, go to the reporter who knows Michael best, specifically one that has been following Michael's narrative from his hometown. I'm talking about Kevin Van Valkenburg of the Baltimore Sun.
Kevin's young, talented, and about as lovable as any guy I've meet this past year on the pool deck. He's the kind of reporter who can go anywhere--behind-the-scenes, into the hallowed halls of power--because he's very unassuming. In lieu of meeting him, watch him star in this episode from Chlorination:
Kevin won Michael's (and Peter Carlisle's) trust. As a result, Kevin started capturing Michael on video as he interviewed Michael this past year. The camera's eye, static and low, is obviously from sitting on a table at a restaurant. It gives you the feeling of sitting with Mr. Swimming, and his answers are as honest as I've ever heard from him:
A big, big thanks to Jennie for sending me these links. They used to be on YouTube (which I live off of), but were taken down.
An interesting note: Octagon was not happy about these videos--from what I heard. I don't think it's the content. I think they were feeling the "media pressure," and wanted to maintain as much control as possible rolling into Beijing. While I understand the need to control Michael's image, these turned out well. I LOVE THEM, because Michael's so real...
At a time when it seems everyone is so fearful (over the economy and the war and the environment), I feel overcome with absolute joy and THANKS! I'm thankful for my wife, Tif, who I love more than ever after 10 years, and my big healthy daughter, Bay, who makes me smile proudly every single day. They're my favorite girls on earth, and I couldn't imagine it any other way....
I'm thankful for the FAMILY OF SWIMMING (masters swimmers, age groupers, elite-swimmers, all of the coaches and of course the officials). And I'm so thankful for the USA Swimming Foundation, and for my friend behind it, Mr. Christopher LaBianco. I couldn't let this THANKS go as text only. Here's a video recap of all the fun and fellowship we had together...
Chris, or LaBi (as he is known on the web), has so much to be THANKFUL for himself. He came on-board at the USA Swimming Foundation to fill the shoes of a beloved star, Rowdy Gaines--a tough act to follow. Rowdy is NBC's voice of swimming at the Olympic Games. Chris, who had not been in the swimming industry for years and years, hit the ground running. He brought me along for the ride, traveling every which way imaginable, including to Beijing. Chris worked himself to death, all the way up to the Golden Goggles this fall in Manhattan....
The results of LaBi's work are in, and they're incredible considering what happened to the economy this fall. I can't say much, but I can say, conservatively, that the Foundation was hugely successful.....
THANKFUL??? It doesn't seem like a weighty enough word for me... Working with LaBi, I learned to love swimming all over again. I love it more now than when I was competing.... The Foundation supports "learn to swim" programs in places where they are needed most--in urban areas and minority communities.... I wished I had learned this when I was younger, and faster, when I was world-class. It is better to do good than to do well. I have Chris LaBianco to thank for learning that.....
If you want to support "learn to swim" programs, it's easy to do. Just go to swimfoundation.org and make a donation. Any level of support will do! If you make a donation, let me know. Comment on my blog. And if you're in a city near a GRAND PRIX swimming competition, come by and together we can vlog....
SPECIAL THANKS TO:
Thanks Valeria and Candace of OH YES THEY DID! (Martha told me about the check you sent.)
Thanks to Brandon Franklin, fellow masters swimmers and lover of all things 80s. Your coming to Golden Goggles (with your wife) made the gala event!
Thanks to Shaun Jordan, my Olympic teammate (and fellow gold medalist) from 1988 and 1992. Sitting behind your table at Golden Goggles (with Aaron Peirsol) was half the fun.
Thanks to all the National Team Members, present and past! Your participation at Golden Goggles was, of course, the lifeblood of the event!
Thanks to Eve Stahlberger, especially for your THANKSGIVING story today on the web. It hit the right note. Thank you for that!
Thanks to Mike Barrows, my Mercersburg buddy from way back. I appreciate you taking the time to come to Manhattan for my birthday party, and even for bringing a Peddie Parent. (Your vid's coming soon!)
Thanks to Leif Engstrom and Dan Dakus! I loved seeing you guys again!
Thanks to Shannon LaBianco for allowing her husband to work so hard this year! And for getting me the birthday cake. You are a dear!!!!
Big thanks to ROB BUTCHER, executive director of US Masters Swimming for coming to GG!
Thanks to David Marsh, for your friendship and advice! You're the best, man! You and your wife.....
I know I'm forgetting people, but I'll have more time to thank again soon enough. Right now I have got to get my daughter, Bay, dressed and ready for the day... See you tomorrow.....
The event's over and I want to weep. Chris LaBianco, Head of the USA SWIMMING Foundation (along with Matt Farrell and Mike Unger and many, many, many others) pulled off an incredible shindig! HIGHPOINTS: Hearing the crowd go nuts any time JASON LEZAK'S name was announced, Bob Costas cutting in on presenters' speeches (saving them really), and Donald Trump presenting Male of Athlete of Year to Michael Phelps. I, personally, appreciated seeing BOB BOWMAN receive the award for COACH OF THE YEAR. Bob, who is so unflappable, got emotional onstage. It was only for a brief second, but you could tell he knew he was a part of SWIMMING HISTORY. I remember Bob Bowman as an assistant coach 20 years ago back in Las Vegas. He was only in his 20s, but so, so serious.
Stars were out in force. I got video of many. My videos are teasers really, behind the scenes snap shots, which I will post later this week. If you want blow-by-blow coverage, go to SWIMNETWORK.COM. My SWIMNETWORK interviews, which were completely off the wall, will post next week. I asked the 2008 Olympic Team members "insider" questions to gain truly probing information: who was the worst roommate, the most likely to sleep through the swim-practice. Their answers will surprise you. (I'll post an announcement the day before they appear on SWIMNETWORK.)
After GOLDEN GOGGLES, VIPs meandered about and later they met up at FACES & NAMES, a trendy Manhattan haunt. I got photos of my friends, but these 2 were the most interesting:
Gary Hall Jr.'s TUX shoes appear above, pink CHUCK TAYLORS. I wanted to wear my CHUCK TAYLORS with my TUX, but my wife wouldn't let me. I argued that my mine were gray and conservative. My wife said "no," my boss, LaBianco, might fire me. When GARY walked on stage to present an award in his hot pink shoes, jealousy welled up inside me. Gary remains the coolest man in swimming...
The charcoal-gray NIKEs belong to MATT GREVERS. He wasn't trying to be tight. He didn't have tux shoes that fit. He tried to wear ADAM RITTER'S tux-shoes, but they were too small. GREVERS, who stands 6 feet 9 inches tall, opted for NIKEs instead of suffering through the gala night...
Caught up with Jason Lezak during one of his many post 2008 Olympic appearances. Lezak was in Bakersfield, CA, dropping the PUCK at the Condors hockey game. When I mentioned on Facebook that I'd be talking with Jason, there was an overwhelming response. EVERYONE wants to know what's new in Jason's world. 8 days out from GOLDEN GOGGLES, Jason talks about his nomination for the PERSEVERANCE AWARD, and being the star of Frenchmen's nightmares.
Lohberg, best known for coaching 41 year-old Olympic gold medalist Dara Torres, was diagnosed with aplastic anemia just before the Olympic games. Bal, Cavic, and Brunelli will race multi-national medley relay at the Bolzano International In Italy to raise money for Lohberg's medical costs. Full story here...
I've been catching up with a few of swimmers as they've finished their swims. I caught Katie Hoff with her family on the way to the Omega House. Katie's smile sort of hid her disappointment, but she's no worse for wear. She is now a multi-medalist with at least two more Games to go, not mention more American records under her belt. Katie's only 19. At 23 she'll be much, much tougher to beat.
I got Cavic on camera, the Serbin, and 100 butterfly silver medalist who almost stopped the Phelps juggernaut. He seemed a bit miffed, and at the same time happy with his personal performance. An interesting note: Cavic told me back at the Omaha Swimvitational in June that he intended to beat Phelps. I love confidence, and I appreciated him putting it out there. I also thought he was out of touch with his own talent... Cavic proved me wrong, and I was happy to see him swim so incredibly fast. I asked him when he was going to claim the world record in the 100 fly. He said, "I will, but I can't you give you a date yet."
Talked to Kirsty Coventry outside of the Cube. She was drinking a cold beer, celebrating with her Zimbabwean teammates. Kirsty's a huge star back in her home country. I asked her "signicificant other, " a former UT swimmer, if she was going to continue you on. He smiled and nodded, like she would.....
The US Swimmers won't be out and about until after the last day of finals. I think CLUB BUD will be their hub. I looking forward to seeing them in a more relaxed atmosphere where the congrats can go around.....
Check out the videos (below) where I talk with Milorad and Kirsty...
