GOLD MEDAL MEL

GOLD MEDAL MEL: NOV 26th

SUMMER SANDERS is BACK!

PETER MARSHALL is pure PRO-SWIMMING!

ROB BUTCHER plus US MASTERS SWIMMING = Serious Marketing!

When SUMMER SANDERS swam at any swimming meet, she brought a certain level of easy-going fun that was always a treat. As a multi-Olympic-medalist back in 1992, she captured the hearts of men and women all across the United States. Summer went on to host several TV shows (most notably "Inside the NBA"), and she called the swimming portion of NBC's Telecast of the Olympic Games. After that Summer took a break. She found love with a pro-skier, got married, and had two babies.... Summer's been a mom for a few years now, and has loved every minute of it. Now that her babies are no-longer babies, she's back on the super-star circuit. I caught up with Summer at the 2008 Golden Goggles. As you'll see in the video, she hasn't changed a bit:

I also caught up with Summer at the 2008 Olympic Swimming Trials in Omaha. She was there as a spokesperson for JOHNSON & JOHNSON and 24 HOUR FITNESS. She was with her youngest boy, Spider. Yes, she calls him Spider. Watch the video and see for yourself: We're lucky to have Summer Sanders back. I know she's hitting Hollywood looking for new work. Watch for her soon on TV. Knowing Summer, she'll be a great host for some television series...

PETER MARSHALL! I finally spoke to him by phone. He was in HONG KONG, on vacation, trying to make sense of his swimming success on FINA's WOLRD CUP circuit. Peter, of course, broke two short course meters world records in the 50 and 100m backstroke. I could hear in his voice, over the phone, all the way across the Pacific, that his times were a surprise. He came off a little shell-shocked, in GOOD WAY!  THE BEST WAY!  PETER's on CLOUD NINE!  

I'm writing my GOLD MEDAL MEL column for swimnetwork right now. In it I'm breaking-down the evolution of Peter's progress, and how he got to be where he is now...open to new endorsements, and new training techniques, and more pro-swimming, and more world records in the future. If you haven't seen his world record swim, check it out here! Click on this link! 

As the year progresses, I'll be checking in on Peter Marshall, a man on the cusp of swimming history. Peter's not retiring. He's staying in the game. He is because of a new avenue for our athletes: PRO SWIMMING!!!!

ROB BUTCHER looks like a former Versace Underwear Model, but don't be fooled by his pretty face. Rob's all business and great at his new job: EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF US MASTERS SWIMMING. I caught up with Rob at Golden Goggles, where he attended as a member of the CHAMPION'S CLUB, as supporter of the USA Swimming Foundation:

Since August, when Rob came on board, he's been on a crusade to bring all swimmers back to the fold. CASE IN POINT: I didn't swim masters, but I did swim to stay in shape. I did it alone, without any friends or a sense of team and community.  After meeting Rob, I decided to sign up. It was the best decision I've made since I retired from swimming back in 1996. 

I'm going to masters nationals in CLOVIS next spring. I plan to swim some fly and sprint free, but mostly I want to reconnect with a part of my life that was so rewarding. My times aren't bad, but I certainly won't win my age-group. My goals are simple: I want to be healthy and have an incentive to practice and race. I've heard the slogan for years, EVERYONE'S A WINNER IN MASTERS, but I never really understood it... I get it now. My wife's swimming, and loves it. It's been great watching her improve so dramatically. She's coming to CLOVIS NATIONALS too, but I can't promise she'll race. I can promise that she'll help me blog and vlog about all the stories of the meet. I want to play a part in telling as many masters swimmers' narratives as possible.... I've only been in masters 4 months, but I've been making friends with other masters swimmer I can't wait to see in CLOVIS; Tony Austin, Brandon Franklin, Stephan Grant and Kelly Evans Legaspi....

If you're swimming alone, like I was, and want to make your workouts more enjoyable and fun, join US Masters Swimming. Go to www.usms.org and sign up....  

 

Gold Medal Mel GOSSIP: Nov 24th

Before the gossip, let me give you some gospel, some "good news." Two days ago I was down and utterly depressed, but my friends got me back on my feet. Friends are the BEST!!!

 

No matter how worried I may be about the economy, my friends (and family) remain constant. Beyond that, there is the pool, the water, life's best escape. Whenever I get an hour away in that medium, the weightlessness, I came back invigorated...... 

I proclaimed 2008 the "Year of the Swimmer" back in Dec of 2007, back when I was writing for a website that ultimately  got bought by NBC. I now write for swimnetwork, USA Swimming's online effort. They've done well, but finding the right mix of aquatic info and entertainment hasn't been easy. My part on the swimnetwork team has always been the same: I was, am, and still remain a shameless promoter of all things swimming....

The "swimming bug" has caught on, from the highest levels of NETWORK TV to the grassroots digital level--all things webby. Case in point: DAN HICKS, NBC's Olympic Host of Swimming. I caught a moment with him after the '08 GOLDEN GOGGLES was over. Dan's about the nicest guy you'll ever meet, especially for someone so successful. If you still have the 4x100 Free Relay on DVD or TiVO, watch and listen to his voice. Dan Hicks is a pro, but he sounds a lot like an unabashed fan! Dan, who I think will be the next PRIME TIME HOST of all OLYMPIC SPORTS (if Bob Costas ever steps down), has a Ph.D in Olympic History. Dan is the MAN! 

 

As for the grassroots level, there's me, and my friends, who are new fans, like Eve.

Eve, aka, Tiaragurl on YouTube, is all about Michael Phelps, and the Olympics. Eve will now follow swimming until 2012.  We maintained a Facebook friendship, until Nov 16th, when Eve was nice enough to celebrate my birthday with me....

If you're a swimming fan, and you want a place to talk shop, drop by my blog. I have a network of contacts all over the world, and they love "insider news," especially Olympic Gossip! 

GMM Gossip? What do I know? 

Michael Phelps is in the news again! "Mr. Swimming" is now adding Subway Sandwiches to his ever growing inventory of endorsements. Michael could've gone with McDonald's, according to my sources. Peter Carlisle, MP's power-agent at OCTAGON, thought Subway was better for MP's image. Also, Subway is expanding throughout Europe with an aggressive marketing campaign--something Michael wants with his eyes set on 2012 in London.

Peter Carlisle, MP's agent, is early 40s, good-looking and exceptionally polished. (Sports agents as a whole are not the best lot. Many, however good they may be at their jobs, are scrappy and tough. In one word: gruff. There are exceptions to the rule. Peter Carlisle is one of them.) It will be interesting to see how Peter does beyond MP. Peter represents many Olympians and Olympic swimmers. Understandably, Peter must be focused on MP. It makes me wonder if he'll be able to keep his other clients happy. For Peter, MP is a career topper, a retirement plan, an agent's dream. While I think Peter's the best, I think the long range future of Olympic representation may go to the agent who has many, many clients, who get a more equitable share of the market.... For me, this an interesting story, and an evolving story. I want all agents to be wildly successful, because it's good for the sport. What happens between now and the 2012 Olympics, will be an agent's "art of war" scenario, played out in slow motion... 

Check out Peter Carlisle, the Octagon power-agent, at the 2008 Olympics, in person:

 

Cesar Cielo, 2008 Olympic gold medalist in the 50m free and the fastest man on planet earth, is closing the gap on Michael Phelps for Swimming World Magazine's "Swimmers Choice World Male Swimmer of the Year" award.... Not a big surprise. Rumors have been floating around that a massive online campaign has been brewing in Brazil to make this a reality...

Coming off of Golden Goggles less than a week ago, I'm left with one nagging topic: US World-Class swimmers want a fall pro-circuit, one like FINA's World Cup.  It was talked about a lot, or was the subtext of most conversations. It makes sense. Once an Olympics is over and swimmers face 4 long years before another big show, they wonder what they really have to look forward to... 

Interestingly, I've been trading emails with Peter Marshall. Peter didn't make the 2008 US Olympic Swim Team, but this fall at the FINA WORLD CUP he broke two world records in the 50 and 100 short course meters backstroke. Later this week I'll interview him about some related subjects; pro-swimming, a US fall pro-circuit, not retiring because there's more to swimming than making the Olympic Team... Peter, who had planned to retire after this fall, may have changed his mind after his blisteringly fast backstroke swims abroad... I'm sure if Peter continues swimming, his sights will be set on the next Olympics. However, what does it mean to him, to be successful, a world record holder, a world swimming star, beyond the Olympics????

GMM NEWS Nov 22th: What now?

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. 

GMM NEWS Nov 19th: Golden Goggles Blues

• 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... 
• In a couple of days, after I return home, I'll write in-depth about the Golden Goggles. (I'm still in NYC, recovering from the go, go, go gala weekend.) You can catch my blow-by-blow account at SWIMNETWORK, in my weekly column, GOLD MEDAL MEL. Here's a link to my last post, GOLDEN GOGGLES MEMORIES. In it I recap my insecurities and impressions about the evolution of AWARDS SHOWS in SWIMMING.  
• Later this week, I will also post video and photos of my NOV 16th Birthday Bash. Thanks to everyone who came! You made it a special night!  
• For a recap of all GOLDEN GOGGLES WINNERS, go to USASWIMMING.ORG. 
• IN THE NEWS TODAY... 
• Cameron van der Burgh and Marieke Guehrer are the men's and women's champions of the 2008 FINA World Cup! They took home 100k a piece in what has become the best professional series in the world. (Over the Golden Goggles weekend, Olympians and coaches talked about the possibility of a US professional swimming series that would mirror the World Cup. Stay tuned throughout 2009 as that story develops.)  
• Reuters reports that UNIVERSAL SPORTS has expanded into 9 major-markets with their television coverage of OLYMPIC-related sports.
• Michael Phelps is still making serious coinage! Phelps, along with coach BOB BOWMAN, have finally bought their hometown swimteam. What does this really mean? Are they the start of the first truly professional swimteam? 
• Michael Phleps named "G.Q. Man of the Year" 

GMM News, Nov 13th: Swimming Fan Etiqette

•  If you haven't noticed, swimming has gotten huge! With the Michael Phelps media-bump the sport of near-nakedness is always in the news. New fans are showing up at swimming meets. The stands are over-packed! At meets this past spring and summer I saw giddy teenage girls and analytical swimming geeks. With all this new attention, I've gotten lots of emails. My social-network's been growing and growing, swelling with over 2000 new swimming fans!  Many questions keep popping up, and I thought I should answer them. They're simple, but important. They're about etiquette at swimming meets. Kyla Jane, my facebook friend, was one of the most gracious about asking. She actually listed her questions, and I'm thankful she did.  
• HOW DO I GETS TICKETS? At big meets, with world-class swimmers, like the GRAND PRIX SERIES, you can go to usaswimming.org and click on the link. It'll open to the meet website, which will give you all the info you need.
• HOW LONG DO MEETS LAST?  Good question! The prelims last all morning, and the finals usually run for 3 hours in the evening. I'd only go to the finals to see the big races. However, if you want autographs, the prelims are the best. World-class swimmers (Olympians) are more relaxed after their morning swims. You can wait at the exit door in the aquatic pool lobby. Swimmers are famously nice about taking time to sign their name.  
• ETIQUETTE IN THE STANDS? Cheer loudly when your favorite swimmer swims. If a swimmer walks through the stands (to see their coach or family), they'll smile or nod at you, letting you know if it's ok to talk to them. If they don't want to talk, they'll keep their eyes down, or face-forward. If swimmers are in the stands between events, they'll stay focused and quiet. 
• FAN ETIQUETTE: Go to your favorite swimmer's online site. Register there. Comment on their message boards. Let the swimmer know you're following them. World-class swimmers pay attention to their personal sites. Often times you can develop a friendship, and they'll share with you the ups and downs of their life. Swimmers have a lot of down time between practices. Many are on facebook and will welcome you as a friend.   
• WHERE TO FIND WORLD-CLASS SWIMMERS?  The Grand Prix Series is probably the best way to see a world-class swimmer during the year. USA Swimming's Grand Prix Series lasts from NOV until JUN of next year.   
• if you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask me. I'll do the best I can to help you enjoy the sport of swimming. If you have any ideas on "fan info" that you'd like to share, please comment on my page so we can discuss it here. If you're a fan of my videos and want me to cover a specific subject, suggest it and I'll do what I can to capture it on camera...
• GOLDEN GOGGLES is on Monday, Nov 17th. I'm going to be there, and I will be vlogging with all of the members of the USA Olympic Swimming Team. The entire weekend, NOV 14th-17th, will be all about swimming. We have clinics and parties, and....more parties to attend. If you'd like to see something specific (an interview with an athlete), let me know. If you post a question for an Olympian to this site, I'll do my best to ask it. You can put the words in my mouth. I'll say, "This question comes from Kyla or Chris or Marry. They want to know why you got your style of Olympic ink?" (Olympic tats are the rage among Olympic athletes.) 
•  Get involved! Connect with me! The sport of swimming's growing fast. Let's grow together so we can get closer to our stars and enjoy swimming....  
• SEE PETER MARSHALL'S back-to-back WORLD RECORDS in STOCKHOLM! 
• SEE all FINA WORLD CUP results here!
•  Did you miss my latest GOLD MEDAL MEL column about MILORAD CAVIC and MICHAEL PHELPS? See it here.  
• See highlights from the 2007 GOLDEN GOGGLES!   
• Want to see your favorite OLYMPIC SWIMMER in action? Come to one of the GRAND PRIX SERIES SWIMMING COMPETITIONS this year! See schedule here. 

Lezak, 4x100 Olympic Legend, Drops the PUCK

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.

Bal, Cavic, Brunelli Swim to Raise Money for Coach Lohberg

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...