I am linking two articles about the press release of Michael Klim's retirement. He had a real good chance to become the first Australian to make 4 Olympic teams. The retirement came less than a month after Swimming Australia levied a fine of $500 and 12 month suspension of a 3 month ban when Klim skipped an offical organization dinner after the FINA World Championships. I wonder now if he will pay that fine? Maybe that has something to do with this. He also stated that if he can't swim in top form, why bother showing up just to make a 4th Olympic team. He said he got valuable guidance from Ian Thorpe before making his decision. Thorpe stated if the commitment is not quite there, then we are not doing it for the right reasons. Klim agreed with this guidance. I don't think either one of them thought that they were doing there country and the Australian team a diservice by not competiting and trying for the Olympics in 2008.
I will always remember Michael Klim as a great champion and World Record holder. He was Swimming World's "World Swimmer of the Year in 1997" and was instrumental with there Men's team being very competitive with the USA. I remember him pretending to play guitar after the 400 Free Relay in Sydney when they won the gold medal. This was in reference to what Gary Hall Jr. said about the smashing the Aussies like guitars. Klim set the World Record leading of that relay in :48.18 and that was a key because he out split Anthony Ervin and that was not suppose to happen. He had the WR for 3 days and then PVH did that :47.84 and that record still stands today. Gary Hall got his revenge when he beat Klim by .01 in the 100 Free to get the bronze medal. Klim went slower in the individal event at :48.74 in taking 4th.
The two swimmers that I can think of that will step up for them are Matt Target and Eamon Sullivan. I have been impressed with both swimmers. Matt Target swam for Auburn and was on all those US Open Record breaking relays. He is swimming real well right now.
www.swimmingworldmagazine.com/.../15018.aspwww.swimnews.com/.../displayStory.jhtml
I am linking two articles about the press release of Michael Klim's retirement. He had a real good chance to become the first Australian to make 4 Olympic teams. The retirement came less than a month after Swimming Australia levied a fine of $500 and 12 month suspension of a 3 month ban when Klim skipped an offical organization dinner after the FINA World Championships. I wonder now if he will pay that fine? Maybe that has something to do with this. He also stated that if he can't swim in top form, why bother showing up just to make a 4th Olympic team. He said he got valuable guidance from Ian Thorpe before making his decision. Thorpe stated if the commitment is not quite there, then we are not doing it for the right reasons. Klim agreed with this guidance. I don't think either one of them thought that they were doing there country and the Australian team a diservice by not competiting and trying for the Olympics in 2008.
I will always remember Michael Klim as a great champion and World Record holder. He was Swimming World's "World Swimmer of the Year in 1997" and was instrumental with there Men's team being very competitive with the USA. I remember him pretending to play guitar after the 400 Free Relay in Sydney when they won the gold medal. This was in reference to what Gary Hall Jr. said about the smashing the Aussies like guitars. Klim set the World Record leading of that relay in :48.18 and that was a key because he out split Anthony Ervin and that was not suppose to happen. He had the WR for 3 days and then PVH did that :47.84 and that record still stands today. Gary Hall got his revenge when he beat Klim by .01 in the 100 Free to get the bronze medal. Klim went slower in the individal event at :48.74 in taking 4th.
The two swimmers that I can think of that will step up for them are Matt Target and Eamon Sullivan. I have been impressed with both swimmers. Matt Target swam for Auburn and was on all those US Open Record breaking relays. He is swimming real well right now.
www.swimmingworldmagazine.com/.../15018.aspwww.swimnews.com/.../displayStory.jhtml
