New Gary Hall commerical

One of the main reasons swimmers didn't get a lot of endorsements was because they didn't know hosw to promote themselves. Now Gary Hall, Jr. does & he gets bad labels from swimmers. You can' thave it both ways. Many peole said the same thing about some of the female swimmers after Sydney. If we bad mouth our standouts what does that say about the swimming population as a group?

uscmaria Maria, Let me welcome you to Masters swimming. I hope you can swim at our Long Course nationals in August, down the freeway at Mission Viejo. Just remember what Masters swimmers are " Just like 8 year olds but with credit cards":D And we allow booze on deck but no smoking!!!! I always smile when I see the hard working meet officials sneaking out of the pool area to smoke:cool:

I sincerely doubt you could find many diabetics who would prefer a life of insulin dependence due to the alleged muscle building it provides over a life without diabetes. There is a 6 year old girl with a pump on our swim team. Maybe we should disqualify her because of all the advantages her life as a diabetic affords her, including the wonders of constant insulin injections.

OK I'll make a few points in this thread. first of all, swimming superstars like phelps, amanda, and natalie have put the squeeze on the middle class elite swimmers, because after the superstars are paid, there isn't much left in sponsors budget's for the rest. So the middle class is getting paid less, or dropped. So if gary hall and his handlers can get him a gig with barbasol, you go gary. If I was an advertiser, I would be a little leary of Gary because he does have a a mind and a mouth, a history of saying and doing not-so-bright things. Like the telling the aussies they were gonna get smashed like guitars. DON'T Rile your competition, don't give them another reason to want to beat you. It might be the one they needed. Next, Gary Hall is one of the most talented human swimmers on this planet. For years he's gotten away with barely training and yet swimming extremely fast. If he trains he'll probably make the 2008 US Olympic squad. The shame about gary, is because of his training ethic or lack there of, I believe he left a lot of potential on the table. If he trained as hard as most other elite US sprinters, he probably would hold the record in the 50 and 100 free. He swam one of the fastest ever American 100 free legs on a relay 47 point something. Maybe he'll kick himself when he's 40 and it's too late. I do believe that Gary trained fairly hard under mike bottom and that Mike Bottom is an excellent sprint coach. It's also a shame Gary didn't step up to the challenge to secure a berth on the olympic relay that night, he needed to go 48 point something and didn't . Neil Walker did. Lezak did. It's a shame he bad mouthed the situation, blamed those for the decision, and didn't show up to support his team mates. On another point, it's a shame Ian led off the US's 4 x 100 free relay at the olympics. Ian would have been much faster from a flying start, his swim might have seemed a little off but not by a full second. It's also a shame Ian got sick and coaches didn't know he was that off. On an average day he'd be good for a 48 low split. Ande Originally posted by White Buffalo Gary Hall Jr defines everything that is wrong with society and swimming and it is difficult to stomach individuals posting praise for him. Let us look at the data: Gary went to UT and went 1.33+ 200 free as a freshman, but dropped out and went back home to Arizona! There is no questioning his talent and what he did at the 1996 and 2000 Olympics. Whether injecting insulin for his diabetes gives him a metabolic advanatage, especially as he ages, is best left for another "thread". However, how he conducted himself at the 2004 Olympics was disgraceful! Again, let us carefully look at the accurate data: 1) He did not get top two in the 100 freestyle at the Olympic trials and did not earn to swim the individual race! The rule was the top two finishers were automatically placed on the 400 freestyle relay and the next 4 swam for the final two places if they hit a certain time! Phelps was the wildcard since he was the National Champion in this event as I recall. 2) Men's Head coach Ed Reese set up specific guidelines as to what the remaining 4 individuals had to go in the morning relay, 48 something. Gary again had a second chance at getting on the relay and again failed whereas Neal Walker hit the time. 3) However, my judgment is Gary Sr. has failed at teaching his son personal accountable and so why should the rules apply to Gary Jr. even though he failed twice, he should be entitled to be on the relay! 4) Ian Crocker was sick and the relay performed poorly with Phelps on it. Gary Jr. violated the conduct code and was not present to support his country, his team and his teammates that night as it is mandatory that all members of the team attend the evening sessions! 5) Gary Jr. was held accountable and fined for breaking his covenant regarding the rules and requirements to be on the USA Olympic swimming team! 6) Gary Jr. badmouths Eddie and anyone and everyone with his excuses and what he would have done after failing twice! My only regret is that Duje did not beat him in the 50. The beauty about swimming is that it is an objective sport, not subject to the subjective and political nature of diving, gymnastics, etc. This has been eroded recently with the poor handling of relay members, especially by Richard Quick. Hindsight is always 20- 20 and I am certain that Eddie, Mark Schubert and Bob Bowman had no idea that Crocker would swim so poorly. However, in hindsight, keeping Gary Jr. off the relay after his failing to earn his way on it twice, his embarrassing behavior afterwards by a grown man and his self justification along with his father's support is symbolic of the victim and "self-entitlement" behavior prevalent in our society today! One thing is for cetain in my opinion: 21+ in the 50 and the inability to break 49 in the 100 demonstrates that no matter how much talent one is, they still have to have background!Maybe Gary Jr. out to take a look at that shadow, since he has choosen not to train properly for the 100 and go 47+!

I believe you guys are missing the point of White Buffalo's comments..... agree or disagree.... He is saying that Insulin injections are advantageous, not diabetes. I believe we all know that insulin is a means of building muscle. This is one great heated argument. I'm loving it. John Smith

WB: I commend the woman that was successful in her pancreatic cell transplant surgery; and yes, I am familiar with many new treatments and procedures that are coming out in order to find a cure for the disease. But that's just it: so far, these don't work for everyone and are still in initial stages. Gary is working hard to support and fund this research. Kudos to BillS and the support to all people and athletes living successfully with diabetes. Support stem cell research.

All the muscle you have is of no use if you can't workout enough.

Yeah, insulin injections to the average person with a normal functioning pancreas would be advantageous, but throw in the body of a diabetic and it is not.

Support stem cell research Was that a political jab? What does that statement have to do with this topic....?

It wasn't meant as a political jab, only that stem cell research is the key to finding a cure for diabetes and many other things (autoimmune, cancer...). I apologize if that offended you...