USA Swimming Recipe Homemade Power Bites

photo by Mateusz Atroszko

I am always looking for healthier alternatives to boxed snacks. I found this one on the USA Swimming website.

Homemade Power Bites

• 24 dried figs
• 1/3 cup honey
• 4 tbsp. orange juice
• 2 tbsp. lemon juice
• 1 tsp. lemon juice
• 2 1/2 cups unbleached flour
• 1/2 tsp. baking soda
• 1/4 tsp. baking powder
• 1 tbsp. canola oil
• 1/4 cup dark corn syrup
• 2 egg whites
• 1 cup oat bran

DIRECTIONS
Add figs, honey, orange juice, and 2 tbsp. lemon juice to food processor and mix on "chop" setting until fig bits are finely cut. Set aside.

Put all other ingredients (except oat bran) in mixing bowl. Beat with electric mixer for 3-4 minutes at medium speed. Add fig mixture and beat until everything blends- the texture is something like play dough. Make 20-24 mini bars (about golf ball size) and coat with oat bran poured on a plate.

Place bars on pan and bake at 350° for 10 minutes, or until they are warm and a bit puffy. Place in refrigerator to harden. For a crunchier texture, bake 2-5 minutes longer, or until dough is thoroughly cooked. Makes 24 small bars.

Nutrition Information per Serving:
Total Calories 108
Carbohydrate (g) 25
Protein (g) 3
Fat (g) 1
Saturated Fat (g) 0
Sodium (mg) 38
Fiber (g) 3

Enjoy!

China’s Vows for Cleaning Up for the Olympic Games is Covered in Blanket of Smog

Photos taken by Bobak Ha'Eri

China’s smog problem is nothing new and when they were awarded the bid for hosting the 2008 Olympic Summer Games, they vowed to have a “Green” Olympics in Beijing.

Now, only 10 days before the start of the Olympics, China is covered in yet another blanket of thick smog. This smog is composed of industrial pollution, automobile exhaust and contruction dust, all of which cause health concerns for Olympic athletes and spectators.

The government is taking drastic measures to clear the air; but at what cost to the people who live and work in Beijing and the surrounding cities? Ninety percent of cars will not be allowed to start up, factories (reportedly up to 100 miles away) have been shut down and the economic system has come to a virtual standstill in a final effort to clear the air in time for the Olympic Games.

“Beijing's air quality is not up to what the world is expecting from an Olympic host city; the sports teams have reason to be concerned," Greenpeace's campaign director, Lo Sze Ping in Beijing, said during a news conference on Monday. Ping attributes this condition to what he describes as a "develop first, clean up later" mentality to economic growth.

But is it too late to clear the air? Beijing won its’ bid to host the Games in 2001 promising to clean up the environmental quality of the city in time for the 2008 Summer Olympics. Du Shaozhong, an environmental protection official, indicated that the city had lived up to its’ promise. "Indeed, we have reached our commitment to make sure air quality is satisfactory for the Games".

Dr. Patrick Schamasch, the IOC's medical and scientific director likewise said,
"Today, there is nothing critical preventing an athlete from running, except the visibility, I can tell you it's mist more than smog."

Evidently, several athletes and Olympic committees do not see the "stuff" in the air as "mist".

• The United States Olympic Committee and other delegations have made protective masks available to the athletes.
• U.S. swim team head coach and general manager, Mark Schubert, said USA Swimming had asked the USOC for protective masks about 18 months ago, due to athletes with asthma.
• The Ethiopian marathon world record holder, Haile Gebrselassie, withdrew from the 42km event a few months ago stating "The pollution in China is a threat to my health and it would be difficult for me to run 42km in my current condition. Gebrselassie is asthmatic.
• Australian Olympic officials have given their athletes the opportunity to withdraw from events in Beijing if they are concerned about their health without the usual consequences.
• Great Britain's women's hockey team has wearing red contact lenses in an attempt to improve their vision in the smog of Beijing.

The opening ceremony of the 2008 Olympics in Beijing will be held in the Beijing National Stadium on August 8th. Hopefully the air qulity will have improved by then.

Swimming Like a Runner and Getting Nowhere Fast

Some people feel like they are kicking hard and not going anywhere or going at a snail’s pace. Others actually seem to move in reverse because they have not yet learned to kick efficiently.

The flutter kick is used in freestyle and backstroke and is also a large part of many swimming drills so becoming a proficient kicker is extremely important to becoming a better swimmer.

There are many reasons a swimmer may not be getting all they can out of their flutter kick.

KICKING FROM THE KNEES:
There is a misconception that the harder the kick, the faster the swimmer. This is not always the case. If a swimmer is only bending the knees to kick, the majority of the energy will be wasted no matter how hard or fast the kicking motion. (Common with Runners and Cyclists)

INFLEXIBLE ANKLES:
Ankle flexibility is one of the most crucial aspects of a powerful and efficient freestyle kick. If there is a nice range of motion in the ankle area, the feet are able to act as small fins. Flexible ankles can allow a swimmer to more easily point the toes which aids in maintaining the lower streamline position. A flexible ankle also decreases drag.

UNBALANCED KICKING:
Successful flutter kicking relies on the balance of the right and left leg movements. The right leg should move up the same distance the left arm moves up and vice versa. Additionally, the ankle flexibility for both legs should be as balanced as possible. Swimmers often move the legs to wide apart or up and down which proves very counterproductive.

IGNORING THE IMPORTANCE OF THE ARM STROKE:
Many swimmers also have the preconceived notion that the kick is the most important aspect of the freestyle and backstroke. While kicking is obviously important, it is the upper and lower body working together that makes a swimmer more effective and ultimately faster.

KICKING TIPS:
Use Swimming Fins to increase ankle flexibility.
Perform Ankle Flexibility Exercises on a Regular basis.
Strengthen your Hip Flexors (Stronger and more flexible hip flexors will allow you to have a tighter, faster kick). Many Pilates exercises work this area - front and back leg kick, bicycle kick and big and small leg circles are a few. And Pilates isn’t just for women. There are several workout DVDs with Pilates exercises for men.

Swimmer Jessica Hardy - Condemned as a Cheater - Premature?

FACTS:

Jessica Hardy has no other reported positives for the banned substance Clenbuterol.

Clenbuterol is not approved in the US to treat asthma which is why it is not available for Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) by WADA.

Clenbuterol is available as a prescription bronchodilator in OTHER countries but not the US.

In the US, Clen IS approved for veterinary use in horses.

Clenbuterol is readily available on the internet.

Clenbuterol, according to the USDOJ Drug Enforcement Agency, is used as a preferred performance related substance by female athletes because it has some of the desired effects of anabolic steroids without the androgenic effects (the deepening of the voice, growth of facial hair and thickening of the skin).

(Clenbuterol is classified as a banned stimulant, NOT a steroid by WADA).

Clenbuterol has been detected in several tests for athletes in other regulated sports, so it should be publicly known as a substance an athlete does not want to be caught taking.

Jessica Hardy has been reported to have asthma. In fact, Hardy has a TUE in effect for several other substances which are in the banned list. An exemption can be granted for certain substances if proven that the athlete would suffer serious health issues by not taking them.

A Therapeutic Use Exemption often sets accepted levels of concentration for certain substances. After certain concentrations, the therapeutic benefit has been achieved and concentrations in excess would be unnecessary in relation to the athletes’ health. This would equate to testing positive to the substance without a TUE and the athlete would be subject to disciplinary action.

In the US, several effective anti-asthmatic pharmaceuticals are available and are eligible for TUEs, if medically necessary.

QUESTIONS:

So, did Hardy take the substance knowingly? She already had a TUE in effect for other substances used to treat her respiratory condition.

Why would she have jeopardized her spot on the US Olympic Team?

Might someone she trusted have provided the substance to her and presented it as one of her TUE included medications?

OUTCOME?

There are MANY unanswered questions and until more facts come to light, there is no way to condemn Jessica Hardy as a cheater.

It is understandable, and assumed, that many details are not publicly known because there is an active investigation in process and an appeal appears to be forthcoming.

Unfortunately, the facts that are currently being disseminated are not looking promising for Hardy or the US Olympic Team.

http://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/drugs_concern/clenbuterol.htm

Jessica Hardy Negative Drug Test Not Positive After All

The spotlight is once again on a banned substance that the World Anti-Doping Agency WADA (in coordination with the International Olympic Committee) has included on their anti-doping list. USA 2008 Team swimmer, Jessica Hardy’s two positive test results for a banned stimulant (Clenbuterol) was reported by the AP Wednesday, July 23, 2008. An earlier test had produced a negative result.

Clenbuterol has several uses. For one, it is prescribed as a bronchodilator to be used in the treatment of breathing disorders such as asthma. It is similarly used in the veterinary field for horses.

More controversial, and the reason for the ban in organized sports, is the use by athletes to rapidly lose weight, increase muscle mass, and decrease fat. It does this by increasing the rate at which fat and protein are used up in the body. Because of this, it is commonly seen in the body-building community. The use of this stimulant has been seen in other sports as well. Several baseball players have admitted to the use of clenbuterol.

Clenbuterol works much like Ephedrine but the desired effects last for days in comparison to the hours of effectiveness for Ephedrine.

Direct use of this drug is most common, but in 2006, ironically, 330 people in Shanghai may have been poisoned by eating pork contaminated by Clenbuterol that had been fed to the animals to increase the leanness of the meat.

In response to the positive banned substance tests, Hardy (by way of her agent) has admitted to no wrongdoing and her stance is that she has not cheated. It is unknown if Hardy will appeal the findings. Even if she appeals, the likliehood of her being able to participate in the 2008 Beijing Olympics is low. First time offenders are typically banned for two years.

Hardy was already entered into the 100 breast, the 50 freestyle and 400 free relay by the U.S. Olympic Committee.

The list of banned stimulants is lengthy. For athletes, familiarity with all of the substances is crucial. Knowledge of the Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) is useful for those athletes that have medical conditions which require daily medication as some of these substances can be used in certain situations.

For more information about anti-doping issues:

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA)
The Official website of the Olympic Movement
A Guide to the World Anti-Doping Code
Performance Enhancing Medications and Drugs of Abuse

Boost your Fly with these Butterfly Swimming Drills

The butterfly is a stroke that can be extremely beautiful and equally powerful...or, it can give the appearance of a wounded moth on it's last leg if all the elements aren't working together.

Drills are great for any stroke. They focus on specific aspects and often show weakness on one side or the other as well as a lack of balance between the upper and lower body movements.

The following drills, if practiced regularly, will help balance your stroke and allow you to power through the water swiftly, gracefully and efficiently.

1. Body Dolphin variation #1: The head leads the movement. Kick with hands at side, breathe on upbeat of every fourth kick—drop head down on down beat without hesitation. Keep rhythm consistent, especially while breathing. This drill strengthens the core and exaggerates the undulation necessary to swim effective butterfly.
   
2. Body Dolphin variation #2: This variation is the same as above except that the hands are in front. Try to keep arms in streamline.
   
3. Underwater Dolphin Kicking: Dolphin kick in a streamline position underwater—on stomach, back, or side. this drill works on balance of the kick and strengthening of the core.
   
4. Fly Kicking on Back: Floating on the back, dolphin kick with hands at side or stretched in streamline behind the head. The goal is to keep the knees below the surface of the water. This moves the focus to the downward portion of the kick which is a deficiency in many swimmers' butterfly.
   
5. Triple Threat (3-3-3): Swim butterfly as usual with the exception of using the right arm only (3 times), repeat with the left arm (3 times), then follow with 3 strokes of full butterfly (both arms) – Make sure the arms are not merely doing one-armed freestyle and continue to breathe in the front as normal. Also make sure you keep the undulating movement throughout. This drill works on strengthening the individual arms because it does not allow the stronger arm to compensate for the other arm. This drill also exaggerates high hips (also a common area of deficiency). The number of strokes per drill cycle can be changed if desired.
   
6. Vertical Dolphin Kicking: This drill will need to be performed in the deep. Jump in and dolphin kick. The goal is to keep the movement tight and strong. At first, it will feel very awkward and sloppy, but with practice and increased strength in the core, the difference when swimming fly will be apparent. This drill can be performed with arms at side or straight above the head. Also focus on keeping the head above the water.

All of these drills work nicely with or without fins. Fins will allow you to work longer by minimizing fatigue. Mix it up and make it fun. Drilling allows you to work on the details so when you swim, you can swim.

Eddie Reese on Butterfly -- Championship Productions, Inc.

Hitting or Missing the Wall - Backstroke Flip Turns

The backstroke turn can make or break a race for a swimmer. Nailing this turn will help shave some time and increase confidence among young swimmers.

Why is the backstroke tumble turn so difficult?

First of all, there is the mental aspect. It's not exactly easy to go full-speed backwards toward a concrete wall while on your back. The word, concussion, comes to mind every time I see young swimmers trying this for the first time. If a swimmer is lucky enough to figure out when to initiate the turn, he/she must then learn to do it legally.

By far, at the meets I have attended, the most DQ'd element I have seen among young swimmers involves this seemingly simple turn.

If the swimmer flips too soon, they will more than likely glide too far, take an extra stroke or kick into the wall. They might completely miss the wall after they turn and have to go back, which probably won't work too well since the swimmer must stay on their back unless performing a legal flipturn.

If the swimmer attempts to flip too late, they might not have enough time to perform the flip at all so they could be stuck on your belly - not a place to be if a stroke/turn judge is glaring down at them.

How do you make sure your swimmers perform this turn without getting DQ'd?

• It takes a lot of practice. This goes back to the mental aspect. Many young swimmers will have to be coaxed into practicing this turn because, like I already said, the backstroke flipturn is not typically associated with pleasant thoughts. When practicing, it may take some time to get the swimmer to trust themselves and their ability to perform a successful turn.
• Counting strokes from the flags is the method typically used to teach this turn. This is tricky because swimming at different paces will change the stroke count and cause the swimmer to be too far from, or to close to, the wall...opening them up to several disqualification situations.
• It is normal to slow down when approaching the wall. If the swimmer were to hit it when going slow, it obviously won't hurt as badly as if they were approaching the wall at race pace. Since the goal is to be able to swim explosively into the wall so the swimmer can come off the wall with their momentum going in the opposite direction, the backstroke flip turn will need to be practiced at race pace.

How to Determine the Proper Stroke count

I actually found a great drill using a trial and error approach while swimming backstroke at race pace. This drill makes sense to me because it seems to be a waste of time to practice the turn at a slow pace and then learn it again going faster and faster. The method in the video at the GoSwim site condenses the learning process without sacrificing

The explanation of this drill is accompanied by an online video showing a swimmer demonstrating the approach...it actually takes less than 30 seconds for this swimmer to get his stroke count down. Check it out here.

** Note: If you swim different distances, you will need to adjust your speed to the pace for that event. In addition, the stroke count will vary between short course and long course pools. The method referenced will work at any pool.

GoSwim is one of my favorite sites...you'll probably want to bookmark it if you haven't already.

I hate swimming, the water's cold and I can't breathe

I HATE swimming, the water's cold and I can't breathe!

Or so I thought...

THE TRUTH

Swimming is a sport for everyone. Aquatic fitness options are available to children, teens, middle-agers and seniors. So why do so many people quit swimming before they even get going? Many would-be swimmers throw in the towel after a few visits to the pool with the belief that they are just not equipped to swim. Who can blame them? It can be pretty discouraging to feel completely breathless after only one length of a 25 yard pool. What makes it even more difficult is seeing the swimmers in the other lanes cruising effortlessly between the lane ropes.

A huge obstacle for so many people is the breathing issue. Humans need to breathe air consistently. In fact, our body is so good at breathing, that we don’t even need to think much about it. Swimming, however, requires us to learn how to control our breathing so that we can move under and through the water without harm. And while we begin to swim, we are forced to think about breathing…to be a swimmer, we must learn to breathe all over again.

MY SWIMMING STORY

When I decided to take a swimming class for PE while in college, I got excited. The last time I swam was when I was in a YMCA program as a 7 year old. I had been introduced to the basic strokes and was quite comfortable in the water. I had been described as a “fish” in the water. So on the first day of PE, I had happy memories floating around in my mind and could not wait to get in the water.

HELLO (Rude awakening)…the water was not exactly warm when I jumped in. This was not quite the way I remembered the pool in my memories. I got over the initial shock but I would never forget the feeling.

We were asked to swim 2 laps of freestyle which I thought would be fairly easy. I was in above average shape so a few laps should have been easy. As I attempted to swim across the pool, I kept getting more and more winded…not to mention there was water up my nose and in my goggles. The edge of the pool seemed to get further away. By the time I did get to the other end, I felt like I was about to die. I was not in a happy place...oh, and I had a major headache.

FAST FORWARD TO PRESENT

I got back in? Are you sure?

I never thought I would have the desire to get back in a pool to swim. The thing that changed me was seeing my 8 year old son jump into the pool for his first lesson and all the little steps he has made that have brought him to where he is today. He has been transformed from a ‘boy who swims’ to a ‘swimmer’ on a year round competitive swim team.

I saw my son and all the other kids at their various levels and noticed that many were in the same place I had been years ago when I decided to give up on swimming. As they first jumped in the water, some were screaming in response to the shock of the cold water. As they swam their laps, many had water gushing into their ears and noses and some were swallowing lots of water. Lots of them struggled and looked winded. Many had to stop between each lap. A few of them even cried.

The difference between these kids and me, way back when, was that these kids kept coming back for more. They were willing to endure the same things again…and again. Each time I saw these kids, they were smiling more often, frowning less and becoming better swimmers.

When I need a reality check, or just some simple motivation, I just picture my son way back then and see how much he has changed. It’s all a progression…nothing more, nothing less.

EPILOGUE

I still can’t stand the initial cold water shock and I still don’t like being wet after I get out of the pool. I would be lying if I said I can easily swim a bunch of laps like some of the swimmers that frequent my pool. But I am smiling more often and am becoming a better swimmer. And losing a few pounds here and there hasn’t hurt either.

Swimmer's Ear - What is it and What to do About it

My son is going through a bout of swimmer's ear - his first time. From the intensity of his crying and from my friend's description of the pain as the worst type of ear pain she has ever experienced, I decided to learn a little more about how a person gets the infection and what will ease the pain - better yet, I looked for ways prevent it from happening again.

Otitis externa (aka Swimmer's Ear) is an infection of the ear canal. The infection can be bacterial or fungal.

CAUSES: In the case of swimmers, the cause is excessive moisture in the ear canal which alters the acidic environment and weakens the barrier that normally protects the ear canal from infection.

The bacteria or fungi can also enter by a tear or break in the skin of the ear canal which leads to the infection.

Interesting Fact: You don't have to swim to get swimmer's ear. There are several other things that can cause irritation or a break in the skin of the ear canal:

• Vigorous ear cleaning


• Inserting objects into the ear canal (Q-Tips, for example)
  
• Certain hair dyes, bleaches, and shampoos
  

SYMPTOMS: When an ear becomes affected by swimmer's ear, there may be a tingling or itching sensation.

Other symptoms may include pain when:

• coughing, sneezing or burping
  
• pressing on the outer flap of the ear


• tugging on the earlobe


• chewing
  

SWIMMERS may experience pain or discomfort when doing flip-turns or entering the water from a block start (due to the pressure of the water and change in equilibrium)

TREATMENTS: Depending on the severity of your infection, your physician may use antibiotic eardrops, oral antibiotics, or a combination of an antibiotic (to combat the infection) and a steroid to keep swelling down. In addition, a pain reliever may be used to help with discomfort until the ear heals (most commonly 7-10 days).

PREVENTION: There are several things swimmers can do to prevent an infection:

• Use ear drying drops after swimming (Also helps keep the ear canal acidity in check) You can buy ear drying drops from most pharmacies. To mix your own use a half and half mixture of Isopropyl Alcohol and Distilled White Vinegar


• Wear a swim cap to reduce the amount of water entering the ear canal (swim caps aren't boring anymore...they come in a wide variety of designs allowing you to express your personality)


• Wear earplugs (there are several types available specifically for swimming)


• Use a Neoprene Ear Wrap


• Use an Ear-Dryer (Sahara Dry Ear)

If You Currently Have (or Suspect You Have) Swimmer's Ear:

Seek medical treatment for the infection. Conservative doctors will recommend staying out of the pool for 1-2 weeks. In comparison, some swimmers get right back in as long as the ear has been examined by a physician to rule out other problems and is currently being treated. Obviously, if there is pain from pressure, you might want to sit out for a few days while the antibiotic starts working. Earplugs or a swim cap will suffice to keep the ear from becoming waterlogged. In the event that water does get into the ear canal, use the ear-drying tips above. (The ear drop solution is preferable because the pH will need to remain balanced to prevent worsening and a new infection from occurring.

* Visit Swimoutlet.com for a wide selection of earplugs as well as other swim gear

Swimming Drill - Making your legs kick when they are fatigued

Grab your sneakers and jump into the deep end! Make sure you haven't strolled on any dog-walking trails. Better yet, just buy a pair and keep them in your swim bag - this is a drill you'll want to do more than once.

Yesterday my 9 year old age-group swimmer got to swim with the older kids. While this time he was able to do this drill without shoes because he has a LC JO Qualifier meet this weekend, the others got the pleasant experience of doing this drill in their sneakers.

The Drill (they did this in a 25 yard pool):

• Flutter kick on the side of the pool (45 seconds strong kick/15 seconds ALL OUT sprint kick)
• Grab a kickboard and haul it to the other side of the pool (you can use any stroke kick on this part)
• Repeat based on your level...(I think they repeated 6 times)

Rules...you can't stop kicking or touch the bottom of the pool the whole set

Why put yourself through this torture? (and even without the shoes it is unpleasant)

When you are in a race, and your legs want to quit on you and you just feel like you don't have anything left, this drill trains your body (and mind) to dig down and make your legs give you more (when they are screaming that they can't).

My son's coach drills this into the kids because if your legs decide to give up and you haven't trained them to amp it up, you're going to get left behind by those who have learned to tell their legs to accelerate to the wall by downshifting and kicking in the reserves.

Many drills are not fun, but when you see the results, it's all worth it.

If you get a chance to try it out...let me know what you think.

GoSwim Backstroke with Aaron Peirsol DVD REVIEW

GoSwim Backstroke with Aaron Peirsol DVD REVIEW

If backstroke is your weak link in the Individual Medley (IM) or you just want to be able to swim more efficiently with better technique, this is definitely a DVD I highly recommend.

You will get to see Aaron’s backstroke from so many angles paired with non-technical narration, that this DVD will help anyone interested in learning or improving their backstroke.

6 Focus Points: The DVD is logically broken down into 6 aspects of the backstroke. Once each focus area has been practiced by itself, the 6 technical aspects can be put together to form a much stronger, smoother and efficient backstroke. Aaron even explains what he is doing in each instructional section. The instructional DVD comes with a laminated drill guide to help you recall the 6 areas of focus while at the pool.

Learn the importance of:

• A steady head position


• Sliding the hand


• Stretching into the catch


• Sliding the hips


• Pulling in a perpendicular motion


• Constant kicking

The DVD is so well organized that it is easily navigated allowing you to proceed with the swimming instruction at your own pace – allowing you to concentrate on one area of the backstroke at a time.

If you are serious about backstroking, this is a DVD you will want to have in your collection. I’ve actually watched it several times as has my 9 year old son. It helps us to refocus when our stroke is not quite allowing us to perform at our desired level.

My Rating

• Quality of Material – 5 Stars


• Ease of Use – 5 Stars


• Appropriate Swimmer Level – All levels


• Ages - (ages 9 and up) For younger swimmers it's definitely wise to watch in sections depending on attention span.

Overall Impression – A must-have for competitive swimmers 5 Stars

Anyone else seen this video? Feel free to comment!

Swimming While You're Under the Weather

How do you know if you should swim when you are sick?

Every time my son or I get sick, I struggle with the decision over when to swim and when to stay out of the water. After searching online, here is what I have found out.

Spreading a cold in pool water is not likely to be an issue because of the conditions the virus needs in order to survive.

So, if you have a cold or upper respiratory infection, it is a personal decision you will have to make based on your own situation.

Many believe you should allow your body to heal before getting back in the pool, while others think that exercise decreases the duration of a cold. A rule of thumb for runners has been, if the congestion is above the chest, then you should be fine with normal activity - if the congestion is in the lungs, you should take some time off until you're strength is back.

If your head is stuffy - be ready for the possibility that flip-turns and underwater drills might cause pain due to pressure changes.

One MAJOR rule to remember is that you should NOT swim if one of your symptoms is diarrhea - while you may feel like you can stick it out, think about the others who will be swimming in the same pool with you. Even if you can't see anything in the pool, according to the CDC "tiny amounts of fecal matter are rinsed off all swimmers' bottoms as they swim through the water". The germs in fecal matter are much more resistant to the chemicals in the pool and the water takes much longer to be decontaminated.

Olympic Qualifier Katie Hoff to coach at Loyola this Fall

Nineteen year old Katie Hoff, 5 individual event US qualifier for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, has decided to remain in Maryland where she will attend classes in the fall. She will also be an assistant coach for the swimming and diving program at Loyola.

In an interview with Katie, posted on NBCOlympics.com, Hoff made clear her desire to stay with her coach, Paul Yetter while attending a school with high academic recognition. Now it's official...Hoff will continue to be surrounded by the familiarity of Coach Yetter, Loyola College's Mangione Aquatic Center, and her teammates with North Baltimore Athletic Club, NBAC, which she will continue swimming with.

With her impressive swimming resume, Katie will no doubt be an asset to the Loyola swimming and diving program.

Katie will be swimming:

• 200m free


• 400m free


• 800m free


• 200m IM


• 400m IM


• 4x200m free relay
  

Phelps will be swimming:

• 200m free


• 100m fly


• 200m fly


• 200m IM


• 400m IM


• 4x100m free relay


• 4x200m free relay


• 4x200m medley relay

Check out Katie's athlete bio on USASwimming.org

New Interview with Cullen on NBC Olympics

Check it out...2008 Beijing Summer Olympics Interview on NBC Olympics

The best swimming goggles for kids...Recommended by Austin!

After trying several different Speedo goggles, my 9 year old, Austin, has found a model he loves (Speedo Junior Vanquishers). They stay on, are comfortable (no more headaches) and are extremely stylish. He doesn't know this yet, but they have created a new color scheme with USA colors just in time for the Olympics. I might just sneak a pair in his goggle case for the next meet...he'll be psyched.

Austin used to worry about his goggles falling off during his starts...the Speedo Junior Vanquisher has a split headstrap, low profile and is created for smaller faces. They make a tight seal and fit nicely in the eye socket. No more goggle mishaps.

I actually use the Speedo Women's Vanquishers...mine are pink, but they are available in 9 other colors.

Go Cullen! Jones advances to the Finals of the 50m Freestyle...

Former NCSU star swimmer, Cullen Jones, took one breath and broke the American Record in the 50m freestyle this morning with a rocking 21.59 seconds! Moemnts ago he placed 2nd in the semis. Tomorrow night he will swim the finals and if he can place in the top two, he'll be swimming the event in Beijing in August.

What's more impressive about Cullen is his overwhelming drive to make a difference. In fact, the overwhelming reason he chose to swim in the first place is as a result of a traumatic accident he experienced as a 5 year old. Cullen was spending a day at a Pennsylvania waterpark when he nearly drowned after his inner-tube flipped and he became trapped underneath.

Cullen is now a very strong advocate for kids learning to swim - he is especially focused on motivating black american children. It has been estimated that black children have a drowning rate of nearly 3 times that of white children. No doubt his presence in Beijing will allow him to reach more chidren and save more lives.

Cullen Jones: Then (20 Questions Tuesday Archive on USASwimming.org) This is a question/answer interview Cullen did several years back - It's very interesting from a now vs. then perspective.

Jones, Hoff, Phelps, Crocker and other July 4th US Olympic Trials Swimming Highlights

US Olympic Swimming Trials and the LZR Racer

I've seen some of the trials and they've been really exciting for the most part. Lots of American and World Records have been broken...no doubt there will be some talk about the introduction of the Speedo LZR Racer (some styles AVAILABLE October 2008) which many of the athletes have already been sporting.

The LZRs are VERY pricey. When my 9 year old year-round swimmer saw a LZR technical suit in a magazine and blurted out that he wanted a LZR jammer (I completely understand the appeal). However, I dropped my jaw as I explained that there was no way he was going to get one. He was crushed...I was being practical. I can only imagine how sick I would feel if he lost one (the darn things are $260 - and that's for the jammer - the boy's high neck body-skin is $550!!!).

He decided it would be best to stick to his Speedo Endurance jammers which last so much longer than the regular Speedo suits.