The Throw Up Challenge:

Thanks to all who have submitted their favorite workout with projectile results. Pool managers across the country curse me, and chlorine sales are up. We are giving a free Race Club T-shirt to the author of the best set and are closing the contest when the next Aqua Notes newsletter goes out (in about a week) so get your set in now.

Click here to join the message board.

So far there have been no reported fatalities, so that is good. Let’s keep it that way.

A Las Vegas coach submitted a “Headache Challenge.” Swim a 500 with as few breaths as possible. The reported record is 18 held by a college team mate of mine and distance guy, Andreas Rostenberg. Thanks, Keith for the new challenge. Again, try at your own risk. I don’t want anyone drowning. And invest in aspirin stock now.

Notice:

I am back in training. It begins now. I will be going to meets in Europe this summer. Mike Bottom and a crew of bad ass swimmers are heading over to Slovenia and Croatia for a month to train and raise some swimming hell. So look out.

Michelle Kwan:

Am I the only one that is completely outraged that Michelle Kwan made the Olympic team? I know she’s cute. She’s a multi millionaire. She’s good for TV ratings. BUT IT’S THE OLYMPIC GAMES! There should be no free passes. Michelle Kwan should not be competing at these winter Olympic Games because she did not qualify for the Games at the Olympic Trials for figure skating. End of story. Her groin injury should have nothing to do with it. There is a process that everyone else has to follow. Do you think that because she is cute or rich or good for NBC she should be exempt?

Maybe figure skating (and NBC) should award her an Olympic medal anyway on the same grounds that she was awarded a place on the team? What those grounds are I am still trying to understand. Given the tradition of judging scandal in the Olympic figure skating arena and her admittance onto the Olympic team without qualifying it seems a possibility. At the very least they should award her an alternate co/gold medal, like they did at the last winter games with pairs skating. Who’s with me? Let’s just give Michelle Kwan an Olympic gold medal! Not the French judge, I’m guessing.

It seems I’ve made a similar argument before. If Michelle Kwan wants to swim the 100 free at the Olympics she better swim the 100 free at the trials, or hope Eddie Reese is the head coach… I joke. Here’s another joke. I am investing in a chain of Norwegian flag stores through the middle east.

It really is an outrage though. Another scandal for that sport of the privileged, ice dancing. Now that Michelle has decided to drop out of the Olympics are we supposed to cheer her courageous decision? She shouldn’t have been there in the first place.

Back to swimming where the water isn’t frozen. I found this interesting article that really inspired me. Take the time to read it, it’s not long.

Click here to read.

Here in the United States we can take so much for granted. Swimming and competing is as easy as joining the local YMCA. I respect tradition as much as any American, but when you live in a country that is as young as ours it’s difficult to understand the long standing traditions of a country like Pakistan and what it means to pioneer new territory. I applaud Shaan Khandawala, Veena Masud, Kiran Kahn, and the sprinter Rubab Raza for boldly swimming where no woman has swum before. I risk sounding stupid here (well, I guess every time I open my mouth I take that risk) but I have never wanted to say, “Way to go!” more than after reading this inspiring story.

“Way to go!”

This story puts to shame the tale of Michelle Kwan’s epic struggle against (insert something here when you figure out what she’s got going against her). Okay! I’ll stop railing against Michelle. It’s not really Michelle to blame. After all she did end up doing the only thing that could redeem her in any way by bowing out. The Olympic Games are not about TV ratings, they are about a lifetime of hard work and a lifelong dream. Michelle’s presence was going to rob Emily Hughes of her rightful spot on the team. Emily competed at the trials and earned her way onto the Olympic team. Will TV ratings be higher if Michelle is on the team? Yes. Will figure skating benefit having Michelle on the team? Yes. Will the USOC benefit if Michelle is on the team? Yes.

Said USOC chairman Peter Ueberroth:

“Michelle Kwan means more to the United States Olympic Committee than maybe any athlete that has ever performed for the U.S. Olympic Committee. [Her absence] is a real loss to the United States Olympic Committee, to the United States of America and to the world, and she made a courageous decision.”

Peter needs to be reminded that Michelle didn’t qualify for the team. The Games are to determine the best in the world. Supposedly the Games transcend politics but when an athlete is given a free pass under these circumstances it makes me wonder. Am I the only one?

I hope that Emily wins.

Opening Ceremonies:

I don’t want this whole newsletter to be negative just because Michelle’s USOC paid vacation to Torino leaves a bitter taste in my mouth. I really enjoyed watching the opening ceremonies and have been glued to the TV since. High point, besides the teams marching in was Pavarotti. The low point was a sun glassed Yoko Ono unintelligibly rambling on, reading off of her notes. I’m pretty sure it was something about peace. I am looking forward to watching Shaun White tear it up in the half pipe competition. I was blown away that the cost of the luge track was $93 million, or so the TV announcer said. $93 million?! I watched Chad Hedrick win his first gold medal. He used to be an inline skater and has only been speed skating for three years! Kris Freeman has type 1 diabetes and will be competing in the 15 km and 30 km cross country skiing races. I will be pulling for him along with every other person in the world with diabetes. Go Kris.

Michelle, break a leg.

And if Tanya Harding’s goon does it the USOC will put you BACK on the team!

CHEER!

Hoist the flag! And cheer the team!

Aye Aye, Captain!

Gary Hall Jr.