…The big United States Olympic Committee Media Summit is running this week in Dallas. This is an opportunity for all of the major media outlets to talk to athletes, collect stories, record video footage, and really just build excitement for the Olympics. One big quote is already coming out from Michael Phelps. When asked (surely for the thousandth time) about his event schedule for London, he responded “Can I ask a question? Why is it such a big deal what I’m swimming? You guys ask me every time.” His coach Bob Bowman went on to imply that the schedule wasn’t set, and by not answering those questions now, they avoid having to re-answer them if they change their minds. Makes sense. Natalie Coughlin is also getting a lot of so0cial media buzz for her healthy eating habits and home-grown diet. Follow all of the action from the summit on Twitter by searching the hashtag #mediasummit…
…the USOC has officially unveiled the 2012 U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame Class. Information leaked a few weeks ago that Gary Hall, Jr. would be in the class, but now we know that 12-time Olympic medalist Jenny Thompson will be joining him. Among her 12 medals are 8 golds, all of them from relays. Those 12 makes her the second most decorated American Olympian, behind only Michael Phelps. Other big names from around the world of sports include track stars Gail Devers and Dan O’Brien, and the 2004 U.S. Olympic Women’s Softball Team…
…Two of the country’s most recognized programs will have a presence in Colorado Springs this week, as groups from Cal (the men specifically) and NBAC will be at the National Training Center. This should be a final bout of training before the teams transition into the racing phase of their season…
…This weekend at the Charlotte UltraSwim Grand Prix, Kathleen Baker was competing under the SwimMAC flag for the first time officially after doing her time “unattached”. She previously trained with STAR Aquatics in North Carolina, which is also an outstanding club that’s developing a lot of great age groupers. Baker, since coming to SwimMAC about 6 months ago, broke the 13-14 National Age Group Record in the 100 back with a 52.87, and came within a hair in the 100 fly with a 53.46. Now 15, she probably won’t make the Olympic Team (1:01.9 bk/1:02.1 fly) this year, but she’s not too far off of perhaps a final at the Olympic Trials. Worlds in 2013 or Pan Pacs in 2014 are probably her first realistic targets for making an international team.
