This message is for Maui Mike alone. "The squirrel is in his nest next Tuesday."
If you don't know what this means, Mike, my apologies. But I am pretty sure you do.
And as any former operative understands, squirrels in nests must be...dealt with effectively.
I will be reading the classifieds to see when the job is done. Post results under "microwaves wanted."
And yes, my "father" sleeps with "strangers."
To Mother Russia!
You've confused me with my Father. I am a mere carpenter.
Yup. Hoff is swimming well. Forgot about Hoelzer.
And weak swims from Beard, Schmitt, Breeden, Hersey, and Beisel.
Beaten by the Chinese in 200 fly, 200 free, and the 800 relay???
And weak swims from Beard, Schmitt, Breeden, Hersey, and Beisel.
Beisel and Hersey have done ok.
Hersey did a 2:06.9 in the semis. A PB. Once she's with Brackin she'll be great at Texas. The three hard swims plus trying to take it out faster than usual for her were tough. But really she was a stretch for a medal at these games.
Beisel? Two back to back 4:34s for a 15 year old? Think about the caliber of the older swimmers that finished ahead of her.
I'm sorry but I will complain about all crappy swims no matter who they come from. Amanda Beard most of all!
Crappy? That is stupid. Swimming is a globalized sport, many countries are doing well and, as usual, the US is doing the best. I can't stand the choking, crappy commentaries.
I can't blame Coventry for training in the US. Zimbabwe can't be conducive to much sporting these days.
The women's team is doing quite well. I don't think words like crappy or choking apply either. Can't complain after last night with Soni and Coughlin! Unfortunately, swimmers can't do a PB or reach their stretch goal every time they hit the water. And the competition is fierce. The only race that seemed a little disappointing to me was the women's 800 free prelims. Anyone know why Ziegler is so off her game? Other than that, it's a mix of fantastic swims, slight improvement over trials, or a little fall off. Isn't this typical?
Although I think Hoch is right about one thing: Hoff herself looked disappointed after her swims.
Eamon Sullivan did not even crack a smile on the medal stand after his loss ... Compare that to Peirsol after the 200 back.
I understand, Mike.
Let the building begin.
Home Depot, Aisle 7A, plastic tarps and Exacto knives. Plus bungees.
Actually, Mike, would you consider explaining the meaning of the code with which you cryptically address Mr. Spock?
Given that his "Father Sleeps with Strangers," is it possible that the two of you are actually...half brothers?
By this, I do not in any way mean to imply your mother is strange.
Perhaps my expectations are too high....
But I expect the United Swimming States of America to win more....
Just some facts:
In Athens our women won 10 medals in swimming: 3 gold, 4 silver, and 3 bronze.
So far in Beijing we have won 11, 2 gold, 4 silver, and 4 bronze. So we exceeded our medal performance in 2004 with 3 races to go. A medal in 200 back and the 4x100 MR seems certain.
Australia's women earned 9 medals in Athens, 3 gold, 4 silver, and 2 bronze. In Beijing they so far earned 10 medals, 5 gold, 2 silver, and 3 bronze. A medal in the 4x100 MR is very likely. Obviously the Aussies have touched the wall first a lot.
So compared to Athens we are actually better.
As for PBs all the time - I guess I have a different view than Fort about the Olympics. Sure they can't always do PBs. But at the Olympics most of them should. And most should swim better in finals than prelims.
All things considered I now believe the women are doing reasonably well. The biggest disappointment against expectations is Hoff and our relays. I will not criticize Hoff because I think she simply bit off more than she could handle. She is not the female Phelps. Her coach may need to re-evaluate what he's doing with her racing program.
yeah, hoff really didn't seem to show what she is truly capable of this olympics. mind you, her times were terrific, but it seems like we see flashes of brilliance mixed with "so-close" what-ifs. Her 800 fr prelims (along with zeigler's) were really off, along with her breaststroke leg in the 200im. but her 200fr split on the relay was off the charts! they probably could have picked a better program for her. also, ryan lochte could have benefited from a lot from wiser program choices. it's tough for him because he is so versatile, but not quite to the level of phelps where he can make the team in every event he desires. 100/200bk, 200/400im, 200fr. he could probably have been in the running in the 400fr and 100fr as well (he would have been competitive to make top 6 in the 100fr at least). maybe he's just unlucky in that his two best events are scheduled with the finals half an hour from each other in this olympics. kind of disappointing olympics for him. 200im was his best shot to beat phelps, but when you look at the schedule there really was just no way. and then dealing with the disappointment of the stomach virus in the 400im :( sucked that he missed the silver in the 200 im by one hundredth. i think we can all agree in the end that he probably, due to timing issues, should have tried for the 200fr instead of the 100bk at trials. would have been a great race between him and vanderkaay for 2nd at trials.
