It's a good site, though it often borders on giggly-girl fandom, especially that loooooong video of Brendan warming down.
I learned of it about two months ago, and I liked the video from the short course championships. A great way for people to see the guys out of the pool.
Almost all of the fan sites are operated by just 3 girls. All of the sites are connected. If you're a fan there's a lot there. If you're a serious swimmer there's not a lot there.
Originally posted by thisgirl13
I do know that all the more popular fan sites (brendanhansenonline, aaronpeirsolonline, texas-trio) are run by a small group of girls, but the first one I mentioned, www.brendanhansenonline.com, is run by a 21 year old girl named Michelle, and Brendan and his whole family have gotten involved with the website, and have even met the BHO girls, as they're called, at various meets this year.
That explains all the pics from when Brendan was like 2 years old. I was wondering how they got those pics.
Yes, there's the BHO girl(s), the girl who follows Peirsol all over the world (don't ask), and Suz from the main site. But they all know each other and own the majority of the sites.
One recently took issue with Brenden because he didn't take a compliment the right way. Phelps gave the girls a very icy glare in some video footage. Peirsol remarked that he should work on his swimming more if they were seeking autographs because of his looks.
I think they'd appreciate the attention more if any of these young women were also swimmers. The fans (include me) love these girls. Without them I'd have no decent interviews or video coverage.
Considering the championships in Montreal left a 4 million dollar deficit and failed to sell as many tickets as FINA had hoped, swimming needs all the attention it can get.
I do know that all the more popular fan sites (brendanhansenonline, aaronpeirsolonline, texas-trio) are run by a small group of girls, but the first one I mentioned, www.brendanhansenonline.com, is run by a 21 year old girl named Michelle, and Brendan and his whole family have gotten involved with the website, and have even met the BHO girls, as they're called, at various meets this year.
Originally posted by thisgirl13
I do know that all the more popular fan sites (brendanhansenonline, aaronpeirsolonline, texas-trio) are run by a small group of girls, but the first one I mentioned, www.brendanhansenonline.com, is run by a 21 year old girl named Michelle, and Brendan and his whole family have gotten involved with the website, and have even met the BHO girls, as they're called, at various meets this year.
I had to comment on this, because although the lovely woman who runs brendanhansenonline.com would love to hear that she's 21, she in fact has a kid about that age. Texas Trio is run by a laywer and an insurance agent, both of whom simply admire those guys and felt they weren't getting the attention they deserved. I think it's all great for the sport, and I love it that I can see video of different meets -- even amateur -- without having to leave my living room. Nevermind the childhood pics and such, all of which lend a touch of personalization.
I think the attention these 3 guys are getting surprises them a bit, but I do think they appreciate it. I had the good fortune to meet all three of the "Texas Trio" during last week's competitions, and all were quite friendly and accomodating as they were surrounded by fans after the event. And lest you think no good comes of it, imagine more people cheering for Ian Crocker than Michael Phelps during the 100 fly. I didn't even know who Ian Crocker WAS during the Olympics. At Duel in the Pool, the entire American team went and signed autographs for the crowd after the event. I have to imagine that fan sites play a role in the awareness people have of swimmers. And as a marketing professional, I think it's fabulous free publicity for the team and the sport.
Funny thing about the Texas Trio is that they were my inspiration for joining a masters club. After watching them obliterate the WR in the 4x100 medley relay last summer, I couldn't wait to get back in the pool myself...after a 12 year break from competitive swimming. Fandom and participating in the sport certainly aren't mutually exclusive, in my case, they're inextricably linked.
I have to agree a little bit with Peirsolfan on this one, that swimming needs all the attention it can get from non-swimmers, but I also understand how some of these guys must feel.
They're doing something they love, and are naturally (Along with some serious hard work) amazing at. They didn't really ask to be celebrities, nor did they really seek out this fame that's kind of been thrust on them. There are really no excuses to make for the majority of them, behavior wise (Geek, feel free to ad-lib some line about MP right here, haha), as they've conducted themselves like the public figures they've become.
I just personally, even though I'm a female and all, don't know how comfortable I'd be with all these fansites popping up about me, admiring me for my "hotness" rather than the swimming ability I work so hard for. Granted, it's always nice to be admired, but dealing with giddy screaming girls when you're trying to concentrate on a race can be a little frustrating sometimes, I'm sure. After all, it's not a movie premier, it's international competition.
No offense, of course, to any of the screaming girl-fans. I happen, on many an occasion, to be one of them, as well as being a swimmer greenly envious of Aaron Peirsol's flip-turns and arm span. It's just another point of view.
Always on the hunt for free video, I came across a fan putting Peirsol in his place. He had said something in an interview about his, as you put it, "hotness", and fans agreed it sounded immature and conceited. Someone said without swimming he was nothing.
Made me laugh. If his "hotness" (lmao) inspires hoards of young girls to take up swimming then that would be awesome. Now if only male fans will step forward and get inspired, then the future of swimming will be secured! :D
