The 2013 World Championship Team (Photo Credit: Tim Binning, TheSwimPictures)
Former Colorado Stars teammates Missy Franklin and Jordan Mattern are hugging after the official announcement of the 2013 US World Championship Team. (Photo Credit: Tim Binning, TheSwimPictures)
Connor Jaeger wins the 800 to qualify for his fourth event on the World Championship Team. (Photo Credit: Tim Binning, TheSwimPictures)
Katie Ledecky points to her coach, Bruce Gemmell, after winning the 1500 freestyle. (Photo Credit: Tim Binning, TheSwimPictures)
Connor Jaeger and Michael McBroom race to first and second in the 800 freestyle at the 2013 World Championship Trials. (Photo Credit: Janna Schulze, swim swam.com)
Training partners, Nathan Adrian and Anthony Ervin, reach for the wall to finish first and second in the finals of the men’s 50 freestyle. (Photo Credit: Tim Binning, TheSwimPictures)
Ryan Lochte wins the 200 IM at the 2013 World Championship Trials. (Photo Credit: TIm Binning, TheSwimPictures)
I’m little worried about spectators at Worlds. I mean, Palau Sant Jordi is a quite big arena. If I were organising a swimming meeting in a Mediterranean country in summertime, I would definitely make use of my advantages by locating the meeting somewhere outdoors, just like in 2009 Rome. Warm evening, a bit ice cream and beverages, sunset, t-shirts and shorts, and tight finals. What else could you ask for?
Nobody talks about the elephant in the room for US Swimming – the pathetic crowd. Stands 1/3 full in an arena that only seats 3100. All the fans in attendance either family or friends of the swimmers and coaches.
Way too parochial and very bad for national swimming! In one year swimming lost all the momentum they had from Omaha and London. Swimming needs change & style & maybe more importantly charismatic champions!