With the time until the Rio olympics passing faster than Michael Phelps‘ last 50 of his 200 fly (let’s be real, nothing can go THAT fast), the US Olympic team is hard at work at their current training ground in San Antonio. With nearly 50 of the best athletes in the country, you can imagine that practices are no laughing matter.
Media day recently took place at the Northside Swim Center, a chance for not only the press to ask the Olympic team about their preparation but also fans to sit in on practices throughout the day. Swimswam was fortunate enough to be personally escorted by 2x US Olympian Jimmy Feigen on a tour of the Olympic training facility, with stops at each different pool as well as some of the athletes in action.
I really loved it when he spoke with a zest of gentle fun about tom Shields ” he is a really good swimmer , i dont know if u guys know it ” LOL .
Hey Feigen! Maybe if you swim 200 you can get your back half under 25 again. Just a thought!
That was really cool to see, I’d hate to be those athletes though and have so many people watching me practice that’s just weird.
I love Feigen, I could totally see him going into broadcasting after his career is over. He’s definitely got the personality for it
I’m thinking after the Olympics, get yourself a bit of TV broadcast training. Rowdy Gaines better watch out. Better yet, you got the looks and the voice to wake up folks every morning… The Today Show? Good Morning America? If a former NFL guy can do it, so can a world class swimmer. Here’s your first line: Good Morning America, this is Jimmy Feigen from Rio de Janeiro, bom Dia America. Wonder if this makes me your manager? Doubt it.
BEHIND THE SCENES — The media day at the Training Camp was chaotic, everyone from VICE to ESPN to Entertainment Tonight and People Magazine scrambling to get swimmers on-camera. I grabbed Jimmy on the fly. I knew he had personality, but I didn’t know if he could keep it going for 5 minutes. This was his direction: “Jimmy, intro yourself, tell us where you’re at and what’s going on. Try to stay engaged until we get to the main pool and you sign off.” That was it. Jimmy did that in ONE TAKE. So, he’s a pro.
You should grab him again in Rio.
He’s engaging, funny and easy on the eyes.
They say that the word a person uses the most describes them the best.
Jimmy Feigen used ‘beautiful’ at least 20x in the first 5 minutes.
I deeply wish him the best he can to throw down a solid 100 free leg on the relay prelims on top of his genuine qualities to well entertain 5 mins on the camera .
He must’ve watched Semipro recently. Everybody loves it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I0spFY1I2NQ
Way to go “Silver Medal Jimmy!” You’ll be replacing “Gold Medal Mel” soon.
I especially appreciate the camera work. Folks, that was a five and a half minute long “tracking shot.” That’s got to rival the 6 minute long tracking shot opening to Robert Altman’s 1992 film “The Player,” or the 5 minute long closing one in Michelangelo Antoinoni’s 1975 film “The Passenger” (with Jack Nicholson). Well choreographed.
Good stuff!
Ain’t got nuffin’ on the one from True Detective.
This one did give me a great sense of what Jimmy Feigen looks like when he’s walking around.
First time using a steadicam. Was shaky for the first 2 minutes. By the time we got outside, I feel like I figured out how to use the rig properly to get that smooth floating sensation. Didn’t need to worry about Jimmy. He kept the energy moving. That’s not easy for 5+ minutes.
Jimmy is great! HOOK ‘EM HORNS AND GO TEAM USA!