Reader Thoughts
Mel Stewart Returns to Swimming
Relax Michael Phelps, former 200 fly world record holder Melvin Stewart is not planning on making a push to qualify for the 2008 Olympic Games. After retiring in 1996 from a career that brought Olympic gold, excitement and (sometimes) controversy to a sport known for athletes fitting neatly into a cookie cutter mold, Melvin […]
The Next Breaststroke Dolphin Kick Controversy?
If this was a certain Japanese swimmer, there would likely be an entire website dedicated to the issue by now. Threads regarding illegal breaststroke technique often dominate websites and message boards, most recently there was a highly active conversation surrounding a breaststroker not moving his “feet” out - or simply just kicking fly instead of […]
What Is Cheating? - In the Wake of the Elka Graham Debacle
In a follow up to one of the biggest stories of the past week, Swimming Australia has determined that there is likely not much that they, as an organization, are able to do to force Elka Graham to spill the beans regarding who offered her performance enhancing drugs. Swimming Australia’s Glenn Tasker did note […]
What are the Greatest “Beatdowns” in Swimming History?
Recently David Schoenfield busted out a list of “The greatest beatdowns in history,” for ESPN’s Page 2. Schoenfield obviously had it in for Mr. David Cromwell as his list boasted (in his opinion) the Top 100 “beatdowns” in the history of sport - any sport. The best Cromwell has ever been able to […]
What Does a Place on the USA Swimming National Team Get You?
Yesterday USA Swimming announced the roster’s for the men’s and women’s National Teams for 2007-08 (See full rosters here). As I said yesterday there were a number of familiar faces on the list, as well as quite a few new-comers. But what does this mean? Sure it is an honor to essentially be one […]
High Performance Center Responds: Did Swimming South Africa Overstep Their Authority?
The plight in South Africa, some call it a soap opera (including myself), has been followed intently over the past few months. The battles between heads of the organization and its foreign-based swimmers come and go, almost like high and low tide in the oceans. Recently, Larry Laursen, the Technical and Educational Consultant to […]
My Thoughts on Making the U.S. Olympic Team
Every young swimmer in the United States dreams of one day making the U.S. Olympic Team. But dreams and reality are sometimes far apart and “making the team” is sometimes more difficult than winning a medal at the Olympics. As is usually the case, there will be medal contenders watching the games from a TV […]
Question of the Day: How Far is Too Far in the Fight Against Drugs?
Everyone is getting into the act regarding doping and illicit drugs, the punishment associated with them and their personal feelings on the matters at hand, but how far is too far? According to the Sydney Morning Herald, “documents show the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority is hiring a panel of private investigators to monitor athletes, […]
Weekend Feedback: Who Should Be Responsible For Thorpe’s Defense Costs?
Ian Thorpe has spent more than $100,000 of his own money for legal fees and his defense in regards to the allegations of a failed doping test. There is certainly no reason why anyone other than Thorpe himself should be paying these fees, but the question remains: Should L’Equipe - or any other […]
An Ethical Coaching Dilemma - Cecil Russell Still on Deck
We’ve discussed Cecil Russell before. Russell is the Canadian swim coach who has been through the ringer in terms of participating in illicit activities and has been banned from the sport of swimming - not once, but twice. This past weekend, many parents were asking the question - should he even be allowed at […]
What is a Good Reason For Making an Olympic Team?
The Olympics. What most swimmers look to as the pinnacle of their careers, and what all young swimmers aspire to. Whatever the goals and whatever the strategy for attaining those goals, the rationale for wanting to make an Olympic team in swimming varies wildly from athlete to athlete. But what is a […]
What Swimming Racing Suit Should I Buy?
What is the best swimsuit technology? Readers of Timed Finals unanimously declared in last week’s poll that Speedo’s new FS-Pro is the “best.” But what makes Speedo’s relatively new suit, “the best?” I would assume that a very small percentage of Timed Finals readers have actually raced in this suit (hopefully the […]
FINA and the NFL - Sponsorship on Their Terms
Recently, NFL fans may have noticed that Brian Urlacher was fined $100,000 for wearing a hat bearing the logo of a company called vitaminwater™ at media day for the Super Bowl. Why? Well, vitaminwater is apparently a competitor of Gatorade®. According to NFL policy it is a violation of NFL rules to promote […]
Is Popov The Greatest 50 Meter Freestyler of All-Time?
Is Alexander Popov the greatest 50 meter freestyler of all-time? As of this writing (you can still vote), 55% of Timedfinals.com readers believe so. Let’s look at the facts:
What Do You Think of the Duel in the Pool Coverage on NBC?
Are you watching the Duel in the Pool on NBC? Honestly, what is the purpose of two days of coverage? I understand that splitting the coverage between two days gives swimming the opportunity to reach a more diverse audience here in the United States, but wouldn’t the sport be better served by showing […]
Gold Medal Mel Mel Stewart
The Swimmers' Ear Mike Gustafson
Top 5 Tuesday David Cromwell
In My Mind Nathan Jendrick