We are all trying to deal with the Covid-19 pandemic as best we can. Staying at home and not socializing is not an easy task for anyone, and keeping a swimmer out of the pool is equally antagonizing. Therefore, SwimSwam is starting the Swimming From Home Talk Show, where host Coleman Hodges speaks with the swimming community about how they’re coping with our current goggle-less reality.
Matt Biondi has always been a huge proponent of swimmers earning money throughout history. This started when Biondi was a competitor himself, and now as a member of the Athlete’s Alliance, he looks to band swimmers together in order to negotiate for fair pay. Biondi talks about the process of building this alliance, as well as the turning point for him in his 7-medal 1988 Olympic Games and the “Dash for Cash” race that himself and Tom Jager were apart of.
Here is the video from the Iowa City “Dash for Cash” held at the 1990 NJO West. Video credit goes to my dad, Bill Nordmann. https://youtu.be/FyhjVm671Hk
I wish the interviewer would have asked about his involvement in BALCO and his association with Victor Conte (Van Dyken as well). It’s sealed testimony, but it’s definitely there!
I feel that the interviewer is way underprepared. He should have a series of questions that guide the interview smoothly. It seems he is just winging it… He didn’t even know what the dash for cash was. I feel it is disrespectful for Biondi to be interviewed by a guy with no preparation at all.
we all know u could have done better …..lol
This is not about me, its a job like any other. You prepare for it.
But have you seen his pancake reviews?
YESSS!! Athletes need to take control.
If we can recall, one of the first “dash for cash” events was in the deep end of Belmont Plaza during one of the USC Winter Invites in the 80’s…I think that’s where we had to exit the building and re-enter. Both Tom and Matt were post grads if I remember correctly. I believe ticket proceeds helped pay for the pool rental. Hard to believe it was 30+ years ago…
Great stuff. Everyone loves Biondi! Nice to see that Coleman has his hair pulled back; in his earlier interviews with some of the female swimmers, he had his hair down and it seemed like he was competing with the ladies. 🙂
I sat in front of Matt at one of the evening sessions of the 1996 US Olympic Trials at Indy. He was very friendly and seemed quite comfortable with himself (sitting in the stands and not down in the water competing for another Olympic berth). I told him that he was my second favorite American gold medal winner of the men’s 100 free — next to Don Schollander. I was being a wise ass but he thought that was funny!