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Stanford swimmer Dwelley has Olympic aspirations - San Jose Mercury News

Stanford's Kate Dwelley wants to make the Olympic swim team but is too humble to talk about it.

"She isn't willing to stand on Hoover Tower and say, 'I'm Kate Dwelley and I'm going to make the Olympic team,' " Cardinal coach Lea Maurer said. "It's her secret wish."

The secret's out. (FOR THE REST OF THIS GREAT PROFILE, GO TO via www.mercurynews.com.)

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Mel Stewart is a 3-time Olympic medalist and ambassador to the USA National Swimming Team and the USA Swimming Foundation. Swimming alumni support USA Swimming's national "learn to swim" initiative, MAKE A SPLASH, and young swimmers with Olympic dreams. To support this nationwide effort, donate here.

Olympic tickets held back from Libya to keep Gaddafi loyalists out | Sport | The Guardian

via www.guardian.co.uk: Olympic organisers will delay sending tickets to Libya's Olympic committee until closer to London 2012, it has emerged, as the government insisted no one with links to the Gaddafi regime will be allowed into the country.

GMM: The article above is a must-read, but I have a big question. If the Olympic Games is supposed to remain outside of politics, should they be excluding even the worst countries?  It's a tough question if you consider that the International Olympic Committee, at times, picks and chooses when they wish to remain outside of politics. I, for one, agree that Gaddafi should be excluded, but I do believe others from Libya will be excluded that may, in fact, be innocent...and that always concerns me. 

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

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INSPIRING VIDEO: a man with no arms or legs swam 4.4 miles in the Chesapeake Bay

I've been working, a lot, and haven't swum in 19 days. Watching the video above of Craig Dietz, my excuse of being too busy to swim doesn't hold water.  

Olympic athletes look for inspiration all the time, and, often, we're most inspired by our Paralympic peers. Craig Dietz isn't a Paralympic star. He's just another weekend warrior who happens to have no arms and legs...and his outlook on life couldn't be more positive. WATCH MORE VIDEO ON CRAIG:

To learn more about Craig Dietz, go to craigdietzspeaks.com.

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Mel Stewart is a 3-time Olympic medalist and ambassador to the USA National Swimming Team and the USA Swimming Foundation. Swimming alumni support USA Swimming's national "learn to swim" initiative, MAKE A SPLASH, and young swimmers with Olympic dreams. To support this nationwide effort, donate here.

How Comcast (NBC) won the rights to broadcast the Olympic Games

via www.philly.com: One of the most luxurious hotels in Lausanne, Switzerland, is a place they call "The Palace," and late Tuesday afternoon, ESPN and Fox Sports executives were drinking in its bar as reporters prowled the lobby, desperate to know who would prevail in the bidding for U.S. television rights for the Olympic Games beginning in 2014. Read more: http://www.philly.com/philly/business/123701259.html?cmpid=15585797##ixzz1P4aDJ07Q 
Watch sports videos you won't find anywhere else

GMM: According to the Philadelphia Inquirer, NBC Sports executives were emotionally devastated after their longtime chief, Dick Ebersol, resigned. (Rumors are Ebersol wanted a handsome pay package, one Comcast, NBC's new owner, couldn't justify.)  

 Brian Roberts, Comcast's CEO, and a team of NBC Sports executives, including Molly Solomon (an executive many Olympic athletes know and respect for her exceptionally well-produced Olympic profiles), flew to Lausanne, Switzerland, with one goal: win the Olympic broadcast rights.  From all reports, they kicked EPSN and Fox Sports' butt, offering a billion dollars more along with a heart-felt video presentation from NBC employees who have grown to love the Olympics. It was a called "faces," a behind the scenes look at the network's army who has produced a strong story-telling broadcast of the Games. 

Now that NBC/Comcast has the rights, reports are rolling in weighing what the future profit-loss outcome will be.  Many television network analysts believe NBC suffered losses in the past due to a poor advertising structure. Other analysts argue losses can't be called losses as the Olympic platform is the most watched event worldwide, a perfect launching pad for other NBC shows.

As a former Olympic athlete who is always concerned about the broadcast and how the Olympic brand can remain strong, I worry that action sports (specifically the X Games) is chipping away at the Olympic audience.  I believe the NBC broadcast is perfect for the Olympic Games, but I worry it's showing some age.  Keeping the telecast youthful is essential going forward. I have a feeling Dick Ebersol's exit may open the door for this opportunity, that we may see results as early as 2012. It's only my hope. I have no evidence that NBC intends to do anything different. 

WHAT DO YOU THINK? WILL NBC UPDATE THEIR OLYMPIC BROADCAST WITH A MORE YOUTH EDGE? 

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Mel Stewart is a 3-time Olympic medalist and ambassador to the USA National Swimming Team and the USA Swimming Foundation. Swimming alumni support USA Swimming's national "learn to swim" initiative, MAKE A SPLASH, and young swimmers with Olympic dreams. To support this nationwide effort, donate here. 

VIDEO: Navy Seals "Hardcore Moment" with 2008 Olympian Scott Spann

I recently produced the third video episode of USA Swimming's new series, NAVY SEALS HARDCORE MOMENT. Scott Spann's had to overcome a lot.

If you're an age group swimmer who's suffer through a dramatic situation and persevered, email me at mel@goldmedalmel.com and tell your story. You could be the next subject of NAVY SEALS HARDCORE MOMENT.

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Mel Stewart is a 3-time Olympic medalist and ambassador to the USA National Swimming Team and the USA Swimming Foundation. Swimming alumni support USA Swimming's national "learn to swim" initiative, MAKE A SPLASH, and young swimmers with Olympic dreams. To support this nationwide effort, donate here. 

 

ESPN bids for the rights to broadcast the Olympic Games

LAUSANNE, Switzerland—ESPN made a pitch for U.S. Olympic television rights on Tuesday, citing the "unrivaled" assets of parent company Disney, its appeal to young viewers and plans for live coverage of all events. (FOR THE REST OF THIS REPORT, go to www.mercurynews.com.)

GMM:  ESPN, FOX and longtime Olympic broadcaster, NBC, are in a bidding war, fighting for the rights to broadcast future Olympic Games.  Olympic athletes seem to be split on who they'd like to broadcast the games. Many feel NBC knows this area of sport and has improved their coverage with each Olympic Games. Just as many Olympians are fans of ESPN. The Disney-owned sports channel is the undisputed king of sports coverage, always evolving with the market, capturing each new generation. NBC has not done this. NBC's coverage, while exceptionally high in production value, has reminded conservative. 

WHAT DO YOU THINK? WHO SHOULD BROADCAST THE OLYMPIC GAMES IN 2014, 2016, 2018 and 2020? NBC, ESPN or FOX?

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

Mel Stewart is a 3-time Olympic medalist and ambassador to the USA National Swimming Team and the USA Swimming Foundation. Swimming alumni support USA Swimming's national "learn to swim" initiative, MAKE A SPLASH, and young swimmers with Olympic dreams. To support this nationwide effort, donate here. 

 

 

VIDEO: Erin Popovich & Melanie Benn, Paralympic Swimming Stars

I'm always on the lookout for inspiring athletes. I was lucky enough to be invited to a USA Swimming Disability Conference and Swim Clinic in San Diego. I captured these videos below, short but powerful speeches by Erin Popovich, 14-time Paralympic gold medalist, and  Melanie Benn, 3-time Paralympic medalist. 

Checkout USA Swimming Disability's landing page here, and learn more about these courageous swimmers!

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

Mel Stewart is a 3-time Olympic medalist and ambassador to the USA National Swimming Team and the USA Swimming Foundation. Swimming alumni support USA Swimming's national "learn to swim" initiative, MAKE A SPLASH, and young swimmers with Olympic dreams. To support this nationwide effort, donate here. 

Olympic Gold Medalist, Steve Lundquist, fights to save stranded whales in Florida

GMM: Do you ever wonder, what's Steve Lundquist up to? I know a lot of my friends do. Lundquist, aside from being a USA National Team alum and 2-time Olympic gold medalist, is among the most beloved swimming stars of the 1980s. If you've ever been lucky enough to travel and work with the Olympic legend, you know what I mean. Well, I've found Lundquist, in Florida, and he's saving whales. Read the Miami Herald report and link below:  

 

 KEY LARGO, Fla. -- Since the first plea for help came over a Florida Keys radio station, hundreds of volunteers have worked around the clock to save pilot whales that mysteriously stranded in shallow waters.

The massive effort, now entering its third week, includes veterinarians, retirees, college kids, a paraplegic, two-time Olympic gold medalist swimmer Steve Lundquist and blockbuster film producer Jon Landau of "Titanic" and "Avatar" fame. (Read more: http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/05/23/2231285/hundreds-of-volunteers-work-to.html##ixzz1ODNjeLCw)

GMM: Lundquist still makes appearances in the Olympic swimming world. He was a presenter at the 2009 Golden Goggles Awards Show. Lundquist (photo: far right), partied after the gala with fellow USA National Team Alums, Brian Goodell, Bob Placak, Tracy Caulkins and me (far left). 

 IF YOU EVER SEE STEVE LUNDQUIST, write in here, mel@goldmedalmel.com, subject "LOOKING FOR LUNDQUIST," and share your Lundquist moment. 

Mel Stewart is a 3-time Olympic medalist and ambassador to the USA National Swimming Team and the USA Swimming Foundation. Swimming alumni support USA Swimming's national "learn to swim" initiative, MAKE A SPLASH, and young swimmers with Olympic dreams. To support this nationwide effort, donate here. 

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

Paul Biedermann, world champion swimmer, attacks FINA for governance that "borders on modern slavery"

via www.swimnews.com: Paul Biedermann, world 200m and 400m freestyle champion, today attacks FINA for orchestrating a form of governance that "borders on modern slavery" in terms of obliging swimmers to advertise products with which hey have no connection.

GMM: Craig Lord of SwimNews reports that Biedermann is speaking-out about FINA's totalitarian control. 

FINA (swimming's international governing body) forces swimmers to wear bibs and caps displaying FINA sponsors, which can conflict with an athlete's sponsors. This is prime real estate on a swimmer's body, and, as many swimmers believe, should belong to individual swimmers' sponsors. Swimmers argue that FINA controls the venues for international competitions. They can dress the deck with sponsorship signage to generate revenue to support the growing bureaucracy that governs international swimming.  

Individual sponsorships fuel athletic careers longer, a necessity in a sport where the best of the best are increasingly older and more mature, 27 to 35 years of age. Without individual sponsorships, swimmers can't support themselves; eat, pay rent, travel. In sum, their careers end prematurely.

I'd be curious to know if FINA is watching and studying USA Swimming's new Athlete Partnership Agreement.  Team USA has stepped up, sharing revenue to financially support world-class swimmers, and, more importantly, develop swimmers who are just out of the Olympic medal hunt. 

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