Did anyone see the new Gary Hall, Jr Barbarsol commerical. It is about time swimmers get some good endorsements besides Speedo and the other swimming apparel companies. Madison Ave has really come a long way in the last few years. You would never see a swimmer in a commerical a year after the Olympics before. It is nice to know that all the endorsements aren't going to Phelps even though the boy more than deserves whatever endorsements he get. I mean Phelps is out of this world.
Parents
Former Member
Gary wrote the following:
"I really would like to write a book. There have been a few things that I should talk about. I would like to answer the many questions that the diabetes community sends in. The stories that inspire me. The work that I do within the diabetes community. The relay in Athens. Many folks have offered unfair criticism for the way things were portrayed in the media. For the most part I have bitten my tongue, something that I am not inclined to do often, regarding this issue. I would like to set the record straight regarding the series of events that took place. The formation of the Race Club. Winning and losing. Lessons learned.
Recently I took a stroll through the Masters Swimming website and there are some really nasty things being said about me. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. Lord knows I buy into that.
People who are critical of my behavior, my wardrobe, the way I train or the way I promote the sport of swimming (at every level) are folks that I don't know. The people who believe I don't train have never seen me train. The people who believe I have an ego have never met me. There are some people in the sport that I know that will roll their eyes at some of the things I do but stop well short of criticizing them. Most of the people who know me don't have anything bad to say; just the opposite really, and I would like to thank the many people that have been so supportive. I know that you can't make everyone happy.
It hurts to know that some can be so critical of the way I choose to promote the sport of swimming. There aren't a whole lot of swimmers out there that are spending their own money to promote the sport and support other swimmers, often their competitors. I do it because I love the sport and have the utmost respect for those I compete against. There is camaraderie.
Regardless of whether there is opposition we must push on, doing what we believe to be right. I believe that The Race Club is a good thing that is helping the sport. I believe that by creating more diabetes awareness and raising money for research I contribute in the search for a cure."
I agree with Sam Perry--it seems that some of the more negative posts come from anonymous sources.
Gary wrote the following:
"I really would like to write a book. There have been a few things that I should talk about. I would like to answer the many questions that the diabetes community sends in. The stories that inspire me. The work that I do within the diabetes community. The relay in Athens. Many folks have offered unfair criticism for the way things were portrayed in the media. For the most part I have bitten my tongue, something that I am not inclined to do often, regarding this issue. I would like to set the record straight regarding the series of events that took place. The formation of the Race Club. Winning and losing. Lessons learned.
Recently I took a stroll through the Masters Swimming website and there are some really nasty things being said about me. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. Lord knows I buy into that.
People who are critical of my behavior, my wardrobe, the way I train or the way I promote the sport of swimming (at every level) are folks that I don't know. The people who believe I don't train have never seen me train. The people who believe I have an ego have never met me. There are some people in the sport that I know that will roll their eyes at some of the things I do but stop well short of criticizing them. Most of the people who know me don't have anything bad to say; just the opposite really, and I would like to thank the many people that have been so supportive. I know that you can't make everyone happy.
It hurts to know that some can be so critical of the way I choose to promote the sport of swimming. There aren't a whole lot of swimmers out there that are spending their own money to promote the sport and support other swimmers, often their competitors. I do it because I love the sport and have the utmost respect for those I compete against. There is camaraderie.
Regardless of whether there is opposition we must push on, doing what we believe to be right. I believe that The Race Club is a good thing that is helping the sport. I believe that by creating more diabetes awareness and raising money for research I contribute in the search for a cure."
I agree with Sam Perry--it seems that some of the more negative posts come from anonymous sources.
