“Michael’s vision is to increase swimming in the US"
Former Member
Ok - Phelps is at the top of his career and his popularity - How could he (or anybody else working with him) help to improve swimming in the United States ?
What do we need - grassroot swimcamps ? A Michael Phelps US swimming tour ? Phelps racing various people around the country ?
Can we get 5000 people into a pool + TV coverage for a Lochte + Peirsol vs Phelps showdown ? I am certain Track and Field will have some big money races in Europe following the Olympis. How much would somebody pay to have Phelps race Cavic in 3 weeks ?
Parents
Former Member
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.
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.
