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WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP VIDEO: Phelps Shatters 200-meter Butterfly World Record

Prepping for coverage of the 2011 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS in Shanghai (July24-31), I've been watching great races from the past. 

Michael Phelps' 200 meter butterfly win at the 2007 Worlds is one of my favorites. It is an event you cannot hide from. You cannot fake it. You have to have the training background to go four Olympic-pool lengths or you will suffer--badly. However, if you're conditioned, you'll eat your competitors alive. Phelps attacks from start to finish with hard-charging dolphin kicks. Phelps is, in fact, all leg-power throughout the race.

NOTE: After witnessing this win, I was convinced Phelps would go 8 for 8 in Beijing. At the time, swimming analysts were still skeptical...but most did not (and do not) understand the amount of training it takes to attack a 200 meter butterfly from start to finish. In sum, trainning-wise, Phelps was lightyears ahead of his competitors. He had simply put in the lonely miles at practice...when no one was watching or cheering.

 

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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.

 

2011 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS: Keri-Anne Payne wins world title and secures her 2012 Olympic team spot

via www.morethanthegames.co.uk: KERI-Anne Payne claimed her second world open water swimming title with a commanding victory in Shanghai - becoming the first named British athlete on next year's London 2012 Olympic team.

GMM: Christine Jennings and Eva Fabian, representing Team USA,  finished 13th and 30th.  The pool competition starts July 24th and runs through July 31st.

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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.

Trapped Whale Thanks Rescuers in Most Heartwarming Way (VIDEO) | The Stir

via thestir.cafemom.com:  I rarely post anything like this story, but the video is a worth watching. 

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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.

 

WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS: Will we see an historic swim in Shanghai? If so, in what race?

With World Swimming Championships only days away, I've been going back through history, watching all of the great races.  I always hope someone will perform at a level that's awe-inspiring. The 100 meters freestyle at the 2000 Olympics in Sydney is one of the greatest of all time.

I love Pieter Van Den Hoogenband's swim because it's so ol' school; the bent high-elbow recovery, the head-up position in the water.  I believe Pieter would've been 47 low if he had the knowledge of today; a slight shift in body-position, a power-stroke recovery. (Yes, they were wearing body-suits back then, but Hoogie went legs only. His lean body-type didn't need the artificial lift.) 

I also love the swim above for sentimental reasons.  Neil Walker, one of Team USA's greatest relay swimmers, nets a bronze medal, and of course any race with Gary Hall Jr. is entertaining to watch...because he's Gary Hall Jr.  We need another big personality like Gary's in swimming.

With Cesar Cielo in danger of being suspended due to the recent positive drug test (news to come July 20th), how do you think the 100m free will stack up in Shanghai? ALSO, WHAT'S ONE OF YOUR FAVORITE RACES IN SWIMMING?

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Mel Stewart is a 3-time Olympic medalist and partner at Gold Medal Media, a video production and social media market company.  

 

2011 World Championships, FINA's marketing videos - HOW WOULD YOU MARKET SWIMMING?

FINA...being official, as expected:

The theme song. Whoa...moving...

My partners and I at GOLD MEDAL MEDIA would've gone a down a different road, something more like this with Justin Timberlake. (Wait for Justin to get in the pool and on the diving board...)

HOW WOULD YOU MARKET THE 2011 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS (OR SWIMMING IN GENERAL)?

Timberlake...rocking a banana-hammock:

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Mel Stewart is a 3-time Olympic medalist and partner at Gold Medal Media, a video production and social media market company.  

Kazan, Russia and Guadalajara, Mexico will host the 2015 and 2017 World Swimming Championships

(photo: Kazan, Russia)

via www.usatoday.com: SHANGHAI — Kazan, Russia has been awarded the right to host the world swimming championships in 2015 and Guadalajara, Mexico in 2017.

(photo: Guadalajara, Mexico)

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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.

Michael Phelps inspired by Ian Thorpe as he aims to bounce back | Sport | The Guardian

via www.guardian.co.uk: "He and I only raced once over the 200 freestyle," Phelps said. "Having the opportunity to race somebody like him again, maybe in the 200 free, will be super fun. I've never had the chance and hopefully we get the chance over the next year."

GMM: With the 2011 FINA World Championships only days away in Shanghai, Phelps gave the interview from Team USA's training camp on Australia's Gold Coast. He also added, "I love to break a world record here."

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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.

 

WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP HISTORY: Ian Thorpe, only 15, wins the 400 meter freestyle

With the 2011 FINA World Championships only days away, I wanted to look back at some of the event's greatest stars and races.  

THE BIRTH OF A CHAMPION: Every athlete has that one swim, that one moment that started it all. The closing 25 meters of the 400 freestyle at the 1998 World Championships was it for Ian Thorpe.  A lot happened leading up to that race. I argue only one element made the real difference.

If you subscribe to Malcolm Gladwell's Outlier theory (Outliers: The Story of Success), Thorpe's success was sealed 10 years and/or 10 thousand hours earlier, when Thorpe lived, trained and became socialized in Australian pools. According to Gladwell, a swimmer like Thorpe was destine for greatness because of a multitude of factors that all supported his specific needs.  I agree, however, there's more to it when you differentiate someone great from the greatest. Thorpe had a rare psychological edge, an almost intangible ingredient that made him the world's best instead of the silver medalist.   

At some point before that 400m freestyle in 1998, Thorpe decided he was a winner. He may have not decided he would win that race specifically, but he had decided he would eventually be the fastest on earth.

HOW HE DID IT: Thorpe played imaginary games in his head (during practice, quiet moments alone, before he went to sleep at night), where he raced and then surged past his competitors. These mental routines weren't played-out in real time. They happened in slow motion reels, like film, stopping and starting and rewinding through each moment; holding his position, punching the gas, feeling the psychological and physical surge of reeling in the leader. That feeling has been described by many athletes as almost god-like, or, if you're spiritual/religious (Chariots of Fire in your thinking), the closest you come to God... I don't subscribe to any faith, but I do believe this mental routine is almost like prayer, and, more often than not, when prayed over and over again, it will be answered.   

So, when Thorpe punched the gas (in the video above), when he injected the nitro, it wasn't the first time. He had done it a thousand, maybe even 10,000 times before.  

Let's hope a new young superstar is out there now, on some national team prepping for World Champs in Shanghai, feeling those intermittent waves of nervousness, and then stopping to think through their race...praying one last time before the event.

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Mel Stewart is a 3-time Olympic medalist and partner at Gold Medal Media, a video production and social media market company.   

 

CHARIOTS OF FIRE -- 2 SCENES:  

VIDEO: USA Swimming/Navy Seals "Hardcore Moment" with Chloe Sutton

Chloe Sutton has all the qualities of an Olympic swimmer you want; personality, passion and compassion. When she swims, she swims to beat you, but she's also kind-hearted through and through.

 Chloe's ideal for USA SWIMMING'S HARDCORE MOMENT series because she persevered in her darkest hour, something all swimmers can understand, and, most likely, have experienced themselves. 

If you're an age group swimmer who's suffered through a dramatic situation and persevered, email me at mel@goldmedalmel.com and tell your story. You could be the next subject of USA SWIMMING'S 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.

  

 

Cesar Cielo's doping decision coming before World Championships in Shanghai

via www.cbc.ca: "The Court of Arbitration for Sport said Wednesday that it has scheduled a hearing for next Wednesday in Shanghai, where the Brazilian swimmer will be preparing for his first event four days later. The panel will announce its decision no later than next Friday."  Read more: http://www.cbc.ca/sports/swimming/story/2011/07/13/sp-cielo-doping.html##ixzz1S5MuuXMD

GMM: This is the most dramatic developing story in swimming right now. I hope Cesar is okay, that his doping hiccup is only that, a hiccup... Awaiting the decision by the Court of Arbitration.

IF YOU HAVE ANY DETAILS TO ADD ABOUT THIS STORY, PLEASE SHARE.  

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Olympic Speakers: Many do it, but who's the best?

Olympians give speeches. It's what they do. Not all do it, but most do at some point in their careers.  Over the years I've heard about a lot of compelling Olympic speakers, but I've never actually seen or heard their talks.  Here are a few I've heard about but not seen...until I found their videos on the web.

PETER VIDMAR, 1984 GYMNASTICS:

RUBEN GONZALEZ:  4-TIME OLYMPIAN, LUGE

JOHNATHON EDWARDS: TRIPLE JUMP

Who have you heard and who was the best? 

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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.

 

NBA -- Team USA could feel effects of lockout - ESPN

via sports.espn.go.com: The 2012 London Olympic roster isn't due until next June, giving the NBA and the players' association plenty of time to come up with a collective bargaining agreement. But if the lockout continues further into 2011 and approaches 2012, a contingency plan will have to be made for the roster.

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Steroid Contaminated meat a worry for swimmers at World Championships in Shanghai

 (photo: Michael Phelps) 

 via www.sacbee.com: ROME -- As more than 2,000 swimmers, divers and water polo players converge on Shanghai for the world aquatic championships, teams are taking precautions against the threat of eating contaminated Chinese meat.

GMM: If the stress of competing at the fastest competition of the year isn't enough, now swimmers have to worry about eating meat contaminated with steroids.  

People returning from Chinese after consuming the meat products are testing positive for clenbuterol at a rate of 77% (according to a study by the World Anti-Doping Agency).  Clenbuterol's on the banned list as it builds muscle fibers and cuts fat. If you test positive for it, you could face two years out of competition, negative publicity and public shame. 

Evidence like this calls into question any athlete testing positive for performance enhancing drugs, specifically for this drug...in my opinion.  It's huge concern and another emotional hurdle for athletes competing in Shanghai and on the road to London.  WHAT DO YOU THINK?

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Team USA Swim stars, Nathan Adrian, Dana Vollmer & Coach Teri McKeever will host intimate dinner Aug 7th. VIP tickets still available!

INSIDER NEWS:  Here's an opportunity for a night to remember with Team USA Swim Stars. You won't want to miss it!

WINEMAKER’S DINNER, AUGUST 7^TH:  When was the last time you had a great meal and glass of wine with an Olympic coach and two of Team USA’s best swimmers? A long time, right? We’ll, we’re going to remedy that, Sunday, August 7^th, the day after U.S. Nationals end in Palo Alto.

The USA Swimming Foundation is hosting an intimate and very exclusive winemaker’s dinner with Teri McKeever, the first female coach of the U.S. Olympic Swim Team (in 2012).  Joining her will be Nathan Adrian and Dana Vollmer, two of the top sprinters in the world. If you haven’t meet Nathan or Dana, they’re great company and very personable. This will truly be an evening to remember.

This is as exclusive and intimate as any USA Swimming event you could attend. Guests will be provided transportation from National Championships in Palo Alto. 

Tickets are limited ($500 per couple/$300 per individual). Tickets include a tax deductible gift to the USA Swimming Foundation and help support our goal of Saving Lives and Building Champions!  

WINEMAKER’S DINNER DETAILS

WHERE: Pessagno Winery, Salinas (transportation provided from Palo Alto pool)

WHEN: Sunday, August 7^th

TICKETS: $500 per couple/$300 per individual

Get your tickets and more details today by contacting Kristin Daniels at kdaniels@usaswimming.org or 719.330.1647.

(Teri McKeever)

VIDEO OF NATHAN ADRIAN:

 

NOTE: Nathan is now repped by Janey Miller of Octagon for all Olympic-related appearances and endorsements.  

DANA VOLLMER VIDEO:

DANA VOLLMER (official website here) is repped by Wasserman Media Group, contact at Tel: (310) 407-0200 info@wmgllc.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.

2018 Winter Olympics Go to Korea, PyeongChang the host city.

via www.firsttracksonline.com: Durban, South Africa - The city of PyeongChang on Wednesday elected as the host city of 2018 Olympic Winter Games. Pyeongchang received 63 votes in the first round of voting held at the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) 123rd Session held in Durban, South Africa, with Munich, Germany receiving 25 votes and Annecy, France receiving seven votes. This will be the first time that South Korea has hosted the Olympic Winter Games.

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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.