Swimmers View
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 […]
Exclusive: Rowdy Gaines Talks New Project, Auburn…Everything Else You’re Interested in Too
Rowdy Gaines. The name is so engrained in USA Swimming that many people actually forget who the man behind the mic actually is. As a current swimmer and student of this sport Rowdy means more to me than an announcer. Rather, he is someone that helped move swimming further into the limelight and made what I […]
Japan International Grand Prix Update: I’m Turning Japanese…
I think I’m turning Japanese, I really think so. No, as you would probably expect, the Vapors’ classic 1980’s hit is nowhere to be heard in the Land of the Rising Sun. Those were the first two points the country scored in my mental tally, but certainly not the last. In short: Japan is a […]
Chuck Wielgus Weighs in on Amanda Beard and the Olympic Trials
She made the decision, the news hit the web, then people reacted (good and bad). Whatever the reason, whatever the intent, it was hers and hers alone. What am I talking about? Obviously, Amanda Beard’s decision to bare all in Playboy. But why is it still news?
Recently, USA Swimming’s executive director […]
Kicker Vencill’s Message to Readers - In His Own Words
In the interview posted earlier, Kicker Vencill talks about his thoughts on the Thorpe and Mellouli drug cases. There is a lot we can learn from this man, not just about the doping system but also about how to overcome adversity and I have no reservations about declaring him a great role-model for today’s […]
Exclusive Interview with Kicker Vencill about Thorpe and Mellouli Drug Cases
You are a professional swimmer. You have recently put up a time that makes you one of the favorites to make the upcoming Olympic Team in the 4X100 free relay. Things are going well. On this particular day you’ve just come back to the house and find a package waiting for you, […]
Former German Swimming Star Van Almsick Attacks German Federation
On the heels of Germany winning only two gold medals and finishing a devastating sixth in the medal tallies at last month’s World Championships, former German swimming Franziska Van Almsick spoke candidly about her federation. Van Almsick told German sports magazine Sport-Bild that “Nobody should be surprised at the results in Melbourne and there will […]
Exclusive Interview With Underwater Kick King David Berkoff
When talking about David Berkoff two words should come to mind: Berkoff Blastoff. That is because Berkoff more or less invented the use of underwater dolphin kicks in elite swimming. On the heels of our discussion of Michael Phelps’ new chapter in dolphin kick history, we thought it would be a perfect moment to go […]
Nick Brunelli Announces Engagement to Jennifer Van Assen
In an email to timedfinals.com, Nick Brunelli shared a personal story.
I wanted to let you know after Nationals where I won the 50 free and 100 freestyles, I took my girlfriend, Jennifer Van Assen to the place where we first started to date and proposed to her. Her answer was yes! The meet was a […]
In His Own Words: Grant Hackett on Swimming the 1500
For all the talk and all the apparent excuses, hats off to Grant Hackett for stepping up, “taking it like a man,” and putting out his best effort. Surely it was not Hackett’s best week in the pool, but despite his setbacks, he showed his true character by not throwing in the towel and […]
Coventry Mixes Business with Pleasure, Not Politics
Olympic champion Kirsty Coventry represents a country that is going through situations far outside the scope of this news source. Yet, she maintains a level head, a hope, and a strict rule not to get into politics.
World Championships Swimmer Profile: Brendan Hansen
Guys simply do not hold both 100m and 200m breastroke World Records at the same time. In fact, no one had done it since John Hencken in 1976…until Brendan Hansen’s rival Kosuke Kitajima did it in 2003. But ever since 2004, Mr. Hansen has taken them away from Kitajima and not let go. Despite what […]
World Championships Swimmer Profile: Neil Walker
One of the great things about our sport is the stories of the people involved in it. To reach the highest level of competition there is, the World Championships and Olympic Games, takes a special combination of desire and dedication. But beyond the cliches that run rampant when discussing these athletes, lies normal […]
Gary Hall Jr. Says Australian Swimming Lacks Direction
Once again, I must say thank you to Gary Hall Jr. In an article published by Rebecca Williams of the AAP, Hall Jr. claimed that Australian swimming lacks direction and has not moved forward since the Sydney Olympics.
I guess I can partially agree with that statement. I think that there is direction, just […]
Opinion: Xuejuan Controversy is Misplaced
Reports have come out today that Luo Xuejuan, formerly China’s best breaststroker and best hope for a swimming win in her native country at the 2008 Olympic Games, may not actually retire as originally stated. Supposedly, reports of her filing for retirement were for one, not accepted, and two–according to some sources–completely false.
It should be […]
Gold Medal Mel Mel Stewart
The Swimmers' Ear Mike Gustafson
Top 5 Tuesday David Cromwell
In My Mind Nathan Jendrick