“Michael’s vision is to increase swimming in the US"

Maybe NBC will have additional coverage on their other networks. Fox did have good coverage from what I can remember.

Nevermind, it is in July. Phelps will be more than ready. I hope that French Manadou can get her act and swim fast again at Worlds if she doesn't retire. Also, Hopefully Kate Ziegler can get back in gear too.

Yikes - Just saw this come across "NBC Wins Rome 2009 Broadcast Rights" Not sure that is really a good thing -- Fox had great coverage of the last worlds. Plus they are talking about stretching the program even more ...

Lots people watch swimming during the olympics becasue they have someone to root for, American. People who follow swimming would love to see a Piersol, Lochte, Phelps battle but the general public would find it boring becasue they wouldn't know who to root for becasue they don't know anything about swimmers becasue they don't follow swimming. A little more personality in swimming would help somethings out. All the swimmers act like work for Hendrick Motor Sports. For anyone who doesn't know anything about nascar, which is probably most of you (which why you find nascar boring...see the comparison) Hedrick is an owner who likes hes drivers to stay as clean cut as posible. He doesn't want them to say anything negative about the other drivers, nascar, or sponsors. Jimmy Johnson, one of Hendricks drivers is especially clean cut. He wins alot of races and is one of the top drivers. However, he is one of the most hated drivers. During the drivers introductions when they anounce his name, just about everyone at the track boo's. Jimmy Johnson has never done anything to be considered unlikale but everyone hates him becasue he has such a blad personality. His interview are similar to phelp's. Er, um, yeah, it was a good race, id like to thank everyone involed to give me this opportunity. Before you say oh Nascar is for rednecks, take a look at what they have acomplished. They turned something boring into something exciting. There's a reason why there are alot more fans in nascar than there are in indy car. Indy car is a little more clean cut, nascar just lets the drivers loose, they do have rules and regulations but its alot more easy going. Personality is what gets fans. Rivalries and hate also draws attention. Think about yankees, sox. They hate each other and its great for the sport. I would love for there to be more hate in swimming. I wish Brendan Hansen would say what he really thinks about Kitijima. And what the French said, added alot of spice to that relay, that was awesome, we need more situations like that. I'm not saying that everyone should start being an ass hole, but everyone needs to loosen up and say whats really on their mind when they get in those interviews.

a swim camp network for orthopedically challenged kids. I hope he starts a foundation and uses part of the oomph to keep college swimming programs going, as well as the city pools that are being shut down right and left. On your first idea, nay. This kind of warm, fuzzy thinking is just the stuff of special olympics, which is killing youth sports. Why? Because there is only so much money and time for recreational activities. How many little leagues are still around? Pop Warner? AYSO has grown, but at the expense of excellence in the sport. Kids need to play hard and learn to lose as well as win. That is the stuff of character. On your second, an emphatic yes!

I don't think you have to be a jerk to be popular, Usain Bolt is getting a great reaction by being light and relaxed and fun. My initial gut reaction (which is probably too harsh) is that Bolt was being a jerk when he started to celebrate 1/2 second before finishing his 100m.

That's why I said gut reaction. He won the gold, he's earned the right, I guess. But I wasn't thinking of the celebration, just the timing of it. Wait 0.5 seconds, and finish the race first. (There is a reason why Beebe causing Lett to fumble at the one-yard line in SuperBowl XXVII is the most memorable moment from that football game.)

Well, Jacques Rogge seems to agree with you, saying Bolt should show more respect to his opponents, but I think that's crazy. I much prefer to see celebration and joy than the usual aggression based approach. They asked Bolt about the criticism on CBC and he just laughed and said something along the lines of "When you know you have won an Olympic gold medal you celebrate! It's only natural." Track isn't yachting.

On your first idea, nay. This kind of warm, fuzzy thinking is just the stuff of special olympics, which is killing youth sports. Why? Because there is only so much money and time for recreational activities. How many little leagues are still around? Pop Warner? AYSO has grown, but at the expense of excellence in the sport. Kids need to play hard and learn to lose as well as win. That is the stuff of character. On your second, an emphatic yes! I'm not a big fan of the warm fuzzy stuff either. Youth baseball and football are run so much better than youth swimming. I remember being 9 years old on the first day of hitting in football practice, the coach told the team at the end of practice that if they were scared, they should go play soccer. There was an emphesis on winning but it was fun, competition is good for kids. But the games "didn't really matter". High school ball is what really mattered. A lot of the same kids palyed on the same youth football team together all the way up untill high school which is good becasue you already have team chemistry going into the next level. Youth swimming on the other hand is not that appealing, year round uss teams that is. I choose to just stick with summer league swimming and continue playing football in the fall and basketball in the winter. The idea of not playing any sports other swimming again didn't really make sense becasue i liked playing all 3. And waking up at 4 in the damn morning before school seemed kind of dumb too. Why does everyone practice so early. Plus the meets are spread out and you are practicing all the time. I think they should set it up more like college swimming were there is a regional dual meet season with a championship at the end.

Michael has already accomplished this vision. Just look at the reports from around the country of the influx of kids getting into swimming programs. I even saw a couple of clips on it during the Olympics. Even here on the forums I've noticed several proclamations of "starting swimming again". I don't think Michael's goal is to challenge the NBA or NFL but it was nice to see some of the NBA stars in the stands watching Michael. Nor do I believe he's looking to make it comparable to swimming in Australia. It'll be interesting to see whether the influx can stand the test of time. As we all know, swimming is hard work and requires commitment and dedication.