GOLD MEDAL MEL

SwimOutlet.com Makes Surprise Delivery to Metroplex Aquatics with Olympic Stars

GMM: My wife and I (along with a production crew) captured media of SwimOutlet's team of world-class swimming stars last weekend doing a surprise GOLD MEDAL DELIVERY. Below is the press release from SwimOutlet.com. 

Six Olympic swimmers and SwimOutlet.com partnered with the City of Allen to make a surprise appearance and delivery under the “Gold Medal Delivery” theme. On Saturday, May 28th, the delivery took place during Metroplex Aquatics' regularly scheduled swim practice at the Don Rodenbaugh Natatorium Pool in Allen, Texas where over 300 swimmers were in attendance.

Much to the swimmers surprise, six Olympic swimmers — representing 16 Olympic medals — arrived along with a full load of swim product for all in attendance, courtesy of SwimOutlet.com. The Olympians represented were Matt Grevers, Ian Crocker, Garrett Weber‐Gale, Maritza Correia, Christine Magnuson and Mel Stewart. Not only did local swimmers get a rare opportunity to interact with the Olympians and watch them swim in‐person, they were also treated to free swim gear.

“This was a wonderful event for our swimmers, said Brent Mitchell, Head Coach of Metroplex Aquatics. “We truly appreciate athletes taking time out of their hectic schedule to connect with the kids and to inspire them.”

“We were very excited to have had this opportunity in Allen and are grateful that the Olympians and SwimOutlet.com could experience our great facility and interact with the kids,” said Kenny Walsh, Center Supervisor for Don Rodenbaugh Natatorium. “Metroplex Aquatics and the other local clubshave had such a positive influence in our community, so we're very pleased to have helped facilitate a unique and memorable event for them.”

“Winning Olympic gold is sheer bliss, ” said Mel Stewart, 3‐time Olympic Medalist. “Only one thing rivals that feeling: Working with kids, inspiring kids, and, when you can, surprising kids! ”

Under the “Gold Medal Delivery” initiative, SwimOutlet.com will be giving teams across the nation a once‐in‐a‐lifetime opportunity to meet with swimming stars and receive free product, courtesy of SwimOutlet.com. These deliveries will be documented on video and available to view on SwimOutlet.com. The goal of the surprise deliveries are to show the human side of Olympic champions and inspire impressionable young swimmers in a positive way.

“We are really excited to present a concept where we are giving back to youth and teams in a fun way,” said SwimOutlet.com CMO Alexander Sienkiewicz. “We’ve been trying to envision a unique way to promote swimming and keep kids excited about the sport. We really think we've hit the nail with 'Gold Medal Delivery' and will continue to bring Olympians into swimming communities, while also delivering product. We're a big company with a global reach and relationships with world‐class talent. Bringing Olympians to the grassroots level just makes sense. Who knows where our next ‘Gold Medal Delivery’ will pop up again!”

To view more photos related to the surprise delivery visit http://www.facebook.com/swimoutlet

Media Contacts:

Rob Penner SwimOutlet.com PR PR@swimoutlet.com 408.457.8260

Jeff Mues City of Allen Parks and Recreation Senior Marketing Coordinator

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(I swam, I swim, and as a swimmer I love swimming)

London 2012 Olympics: inspiring marathon course given thumbs up by athletes after test event - Telegraph

Locog director of sport Debbie Jevans said the test was so successful with such positive comments from the athletes that the Olympic route would not change. However warnings from Canadian wheelchair athlete Josh Cassidy about a tough turn at the top of St Pauls, which had an awkward camber, and the difficulty of the cobblestones for paralympic athletes will necessitate a change to the Paralympic marathon away from the Leadenhall market.

via www.telegraph.co.uk

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(I swam, I swim, and as a swimmer I love swimming)

Quarter of a million Olympic ticket applicants will get nothing

More than 250,000 of the 1.8m people who applied for Olympic tickets will be left with nothing, it emerged today, with some disappointed fans who applied for multiple events receiving as little as 5% of the seats they wanted.

via www.guardian.co.uk

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(I swam, I swim, and as a swimmer I love swimming)

USA SWIMMING: NAVY SEALS HARDCORE MOMENT with Nick Hemstreet

Here's the next episode of NAVY SEALS HARDCORE MOMENT I produced starring NICK HEMSTREET of NITRO SWIMMING: 

WE'RE LOOKING FOR STORIES that fit the bill, and they have to be hardcore.

WE'RE PRODUCING 12 VIDEOS IN THIS SERIES:

* 6 with age-group swimmers (between 12-18 years old).  

* 6 with world-class and/or national caliber swimmers.

SWIMMERS ARE, BY NATURE, TOUGH. They suffer through the cold and the heat, through long seasons of nonstop training for only one taper meet.  Swimmers understand sacrifice. Discipline is a given. HOWEVER, at times, swimmers experience circumstances far beyond the normal stresses of their year-round routine. 

Sometimes swimmers are simply hardcore. They do things that boggle the mind; swim 30,000 yards in a day, a 20 mile ocean swim through rough waters, train 2 hours on 2 hours off for 24 hours. That's hardcore, but we're looking for the human element in these experiences. That type of training has to have a story behind it. It has to have meaning. Why did you do it? What was your goal, your inspiration, your hardcore motivation? 

SOMETIMES SWIMMERS PERFORM FAR BEYOND THEIR ABILITY, a once in a lifetime swim. Jason Lezak anchored the 4x100 freestyle relay in Beijing at the 2008 Olympics with a swim that will never be forgotten. He came from behind beating the fastest 100 meter freestyler in the world. Lezak fought the good fight and gave every ounce of himself...for his teammates. It was a selfless performance, in many ways, something he could not replicate in his individual event. Performances like that are HARDCORE. Maybe you or a teammate have done something similar at the state and/or regional level.  (And if you have video of it, that's even better!) 

DO YOU KNOW OF AN INSPIRING STORY LIKE THE VIDEO ABOVE?  

* Have you or a teammate suffered a tragic accident?

* Have you or a teammate gone through an emotionally trying period  (the loss of a sibling, parent or coach)?  

* Have you or a teammate suffered a catastrophic event that destroyed your home or pool?

A lot of swimmers have, and they've worked through the hardships and performed. That's the key ingredient, coming back from the hardships and experiencing a personal success in the wake of their adversity. That's hardcore!

 HOW DO WE DEFINE HARDCORE?  In many ways, you define it. It's very personal. If you suffered a tragic event and came back from it, you define that moment where you decided, "I'm not letting this stop me." Maybe you rehabilitated yourself over 3,6 or 24 months, only to return to competition and swim a personal best time. Maybe you thought you'd never swim again, and simply made it back onto the blocks. 

SHARE YOUR HARDCORE MOMENT HERE, and maybe you will be in the next episode of NAVY SEALS HARDCORE MOMENT.

Submit your stories in the comments section or email me at mel@goldmedalmel.com. 

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(I swam, I swim, and as a swimmer I love swimming)

 

Bidding process starts for 2020 Olympics - UPI.com

via www.upi.com

UPI reports that the International Olympic Committee (IOC) started the bidding process for the 2020 Olympics. Cities are nominated by their home country's Olympic governing body. They have to get their nominations in by September 1st.  The long process will end September 7th, 2013 while the IOC is meeting in Argentina. (For UPI's full report, go here: http://www.upi.com/Sports_News/2011/05/23/Bidding-process-starts-for-2020-Olympics/UPI-27451306154218/#ixzz1NBGkM4qL)

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(I swam, I swim, and as a swimmer I love swimming)

AFP: Limbless French swimmer set to cross five continents

(Photo: Philippe Croizon)

via www.google.com: A Frenchman who gained fame for swimming the English Channel with no arms or legs has set himself a new challenge: to cross five continents in waters marked by sharks, poisonous jellyfish, icy currents and cargo ships.

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For Ebersol, a Lost Chance to Redeem Himself - NYTimes.com

via www.nytimes.com

GMM: For any Olympian or executive working in the Olympic industry, this NY Times article is a must-read!  Important points: DISNEY, EPSN's parent company, is interested in the television rights to the Olympic Games. We may witness a changing of the guard after many, many years. 

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(I swam, I swim, and as a swimmer I love swimming)

Swimmer's Ear Common, Expensive ($500 million annually), Preventable - US News and World Report

via health.usnews.com: Study: Swimmer's Ear Costs $500 Million Annually

GMM: The link above is a great report if you've ever suffered from ear infections. I used to get ear infections all the time.  

When I was an age group swimmer (specifically 12 and under), my ears would become so inflamed the canals would swell shut. The pain tormented me. I used to sleep on the floor with my ear resting on the vent. The air conditioning blowing on my ear all night long was my only relief. 

Several doctors told my mom and dad I couldn't swim anymore without permanently damaging my ears. Thankfully my parents didn't listen to them. They kept going to more doctors until we found one that said I could swim. This doctor was my savior. I remember my dad getting a little teary-eyed when the doc shrugged nonchalantly,  Your boy's fine. He can keep swimming. He just needs to prepare before getting his ears wet.  He was sort of a goofy looking guy, this doctor that I came to rely on so much. His was hair longer and unkempt, clothes disheveled.  He joked a lot more than most doctors too. As a matter of fact, I think he may be my most favorite doctor of all-time...I just wish I could remember his name.  

Anyway, I was in a bad place. My ears were routinely getting infected and swollen shut. So the doctor created a prevention plan for me that included stuffing my ears with cotton, wax putty, then Vaseline, all encased in a thick rubber swimcap, the kind your grandma used to wear.  It worked. More accurately, it allowed me to grow and mature a few more years, long enough to do what most smart swimmers do: clear, clean and dry your ears after practice with a solution of vinegar and rubbing alcohol... That's the method I still use to this day.

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Sugar Ray Leonard claims he was sexually abused by an Olympic boxing coach as a teenager - latimes.com

via www.latimes.com: Sugar Ray Leonard alleges in his upcoming autobiography that he was sexually abused as a teenager in the 1970s by an unnamed "prominent Olympic boxing coach," a stunning claim by the former U.S. Olympic and world champion fighter who became one of the most popular fighters in the sport's history.

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(I swam, I swim, and as a swimmer I love swimming)

Ian Thorpe Targets 100, 200-Meter Events in ‘Tough Ask’ Swimming Comeback - Bloomberg

via www.bloomberg.com: Ian Thorpe said he’s targeting the 100-meter and 200-meter freestyle events as Australia’s most successful Olympian builds his swimming comeback toward the 2012 London Games.

GMM: Despite Ryan Lochte's success over the last two years, clearly establishing himself  as the world's top swimmer, media continue to buildup the Michael Phelps battle with Ian Thorpe at the 2012 London Olympics... Will the matchup, most likely in the 200 meters freestyle, live up to the hype? Who will be the star of the 2012 Olympic swimming competition?  WHAT DO YOU THINK?

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2018 bid cities to make pitches to IOC members - Boston.com

LAUSANNE, Switzerland—With the global campaign in its final weeks, the three cities vying for the 2018 Winter Olympics get the chance Wednesday to make their case directly to the IOC voters.

via www.boston.com

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Pools are fun, but parents should be afraid | Mama Drama

via www.statesman.com: Tara A. Trower gives a Mama Drama first-person account of why it's so important to be on guard as your child develops as a swimmer. Her key point: swimming lessons are a process. As your child gains confidence, you, mom, need to watch to make sure their confidence doesn't outpace their ability.  Tara's very detailed, explaining what to do at each phase. IT'S A MUST READ FOR MOTHERS.

TO SUPPORT CHILDREN AND/OR FAMILIES WHO CAN NOT AFFORD SWIMMING LESSONS, MAKE A DONATION HERE, AT THE USA SWIMMING FOUNDATION. 

IF YOU ARE A SWIM LESSONS PROVIDER, AND YOU WOULD LIKE TO QUALIFY FOR USA SWIMMING FOUNDATION ASSISTANCE, GO HERE AND BECOME A MAKE A SPLASH LOCAL PARTNER.  

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Gold Medal Mel (Stewart) is a 3-time Olympic medalist and Ambassador of USA Swimming. He strives to promote water-safety because it is the 2nd leading cause of accidental death in children under the age of 14 years old. 

      

Kenyan Olympic marathon champion, Sammy Wanjiru, dies after jumping from bedroom balcony

Sunday night, Kenyan Olympic marathon champion, Sammy Wanjiru, jumped from the bedroom balcony of his home after his wife caught him with another women.  

According to one report, Wanjiru jumped from the first floor in "rage" after his wife surprised him, then locked him in the bedroom with the other women. Another report describes the jump as a suicide. Wanjiru was in so much remorse, he leap from the balcony. 

Wanjiru has struggled career-wise, with injuries and sickness, since his winning performance in Beijing. He was triumphant at the Chicago Marathon last fall, a strong indication he was on track to win more Olympic hardware in London.  

The news of Wanjiru is startling and tragic. He was only 24 years old. 

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AFP: Phelps downs Lochte for backstroke win

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina — US Olympic swimming star Michael Phelps beat Ryan Lochte in the 200m backstroke to leave the Charlotte UltraSwim long course Grand Prix with one victory.

via www.google.com

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Is Olympic gold medalist, Cullen Jones, the most talented sprinter in the US?

(Cullen Jones, USA Swimming's MAKE A SPLASH Ambassador)

At the 2010 National Championships, Cullen Jones tied Josh Schneider in the 50 meter freestyle. Last night at the Charlotte Ultraswim, Cullen defeated Schneider in a swim-off to make the 2011 World Championship Team competing in Shanghai in July. Cullen's time: 22.24. 

Most swimming insiders know a few important things about Cullen Jones. He's one of the nicest guys and most charismatic speakers among the Olympic stars. He's also one of swimming's biggest assets; an African American Olympic gold medalist in a sport that desperately needs minority participation to grow. 

Outside of the pool, Cullen's the guy to hangout with. He's fun. Going to dinner with him, you'll either share a meal with his mother--who is beautiful and gracious--or share a meal with his National Team roommate, Ryan Lochte, now considered Team USA's top overall swimmer.

Everybody loves Cullen. Period. But Cullen makes his fans and friends bite their nails almost every year. Will he perform? Will he make the USA National Team? In Cullen's post race interview in Charlotte, watch Lochte rush in for a celebration hug. 

Cullen trains for the sprint freestyle his own way. He takes long periods of time off in the fall, long by most swimmer's standards, then returns to the pool in December. 

Josh Schneider, his SwimMAC Teammate (an NCAA Champion in the 50 yard freestyle),  returned to training in September of 2010, getting a full four months of base-work under his belt before Cullen got down to business.

Some analysts believe Cullen might be a lock for Olympic hardware--even gold--in London in the 50 meter freestyle if he trained year-round. I confess, I was one of them, but I'm not so sure now. After witnessing Cullen rally year after year, I'm beginning to think Cullen knows his mind and body better than everyone else. Perhaps he needs the physical and mental break to recharge for each new world-class season. 

WHAT DO YOU THINK? If Cullen trained year-round, would he be the undisputed best in the US? Would he be a lock for Olympic hardware in London? Or is Cullen doing what he needs to do, taking time off each year, to sustain a long world-class career?

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(I swam, I swim, and as a swimmer I love swimming)

HERE'S a look back at CULLEN JONES' service (in 2010) to MAKE A SPLASH, supporting families and swimmers who can't afford swimming lessons: