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Ian Thorpe - Fountain For Youth Promotional Video

Sunday's Swim Report - Let's Get Back To The Pool

The Swim Report IS BACK!  Happy April Fools!  Back to swimming news...

Lane 1 - CBS13 posts (w/video) "Lack Of Vision Doesn’t Stop Young Swimmer.  A born swimmer, the first grader began taking lessons at sixteen months old. At about the age of two, he was swimming freestyle across the pool and he kind of shocked everybody.  You would never know by looking at him, but Jeffrey is legally blind. He was born with a rare genetic eye condition. He has no color vision whatsoever.  So things, many of us take for granted, are difficult for Jeffrey."

Lane 2 - Brisbane Times posts "Ian Thorpe was shattered at missing out on the team for the 2012 London Olympics but the 29-year-old was all smiles when promoting his Fountain of Youth Charity last week. Kate Waterhouse caught up with the swimming great."

Lane 3 - Inside The Games posts "British swim star signs with three60 Sports Management ahead of London 2012.  Joe Roebuck, the only male swimmer to qualify for three events at the London 2012 Olympics, has signed with three60 Sports following his superb performances at the British Gas Swimming Championships staged at the Aquatics Centre on the Olympic Park last month.  The 26-year-old from Rotherham was the most successful British male swimmer at the Championships, which also acted as the London 2012 swimming test event, where he secured gold in both the 200 metres butterfly and 200m individual medley as well as a silver medal in the 400m individual medley."

Lane 4 - The Daily Telegraph posts "James Magnussen tours London's Olympic pool.  AMES Magnussen hasn't been allowed to test the waters of London's Olympic pool yet, but he has already set foot atop the fastest qualifier's lane four starting block.  That's where, if all goes according to plan and he stays that half a second in front of the rest of the world, Magnussen will start the August 1 100m freestyle final.  The Missile last week had the opportunity to tour the aquatic centre for this year's Games - it's a sneak preview he'll put to good use in the remaining three months.  "It can be hard for me to picture the race itself, I always just try to picture the outcome and keep positive thoughts about that outcome," Magnussen said."

Lane 5 - Sport24 posts "Road to London: Cameron vd Burgh.  In the third in a series of Q 'n A style interviews with South African sportsmen and women ahead of the 2012 Olympic Games in London, Graeme Joffe chats to South African swimming sensation, Cameron van der Burgh."

Lane 6 - Huffpost Miami posts "Verso Performance: Miami's Synchronized Swimming Show Team.  magine a cocktail party in a revamped Wynwood warehouse, a satellite soiree during Art Basel. At one point, the house lights dim and women dive into a narrow pool in the floor.  Donned in bathing caps and Esther Williams-style suits, the swimmers dip, jump, and flip in synch. This is Verso, Miami's very own synchronized swimming show team.  They've performed at experimental art shows in the Design District, art fairs during Art Basel Miami Beach, and in Miami Beach Swim Fashion Week shows."

Lane 7 - WA Today posts "Shark fears could affect triathlons.  Organisers of a national triathlon competition for students in Busselton this week are re-assessing their plans for an ocean swim section following the weekend's fatal shark attack in the area.  Father-of-two Peter Kurmann died on Saturday afternoon after being mauled by a shark - believed to be a great white - while diving about one nautical mile off shore, south of Stratham Beach."

Lane 8 - Winnipeg Free Press looks at "Swim team not allowed to race in 1980 due to boycott honoured at Olympic trials.  Szmidt, Smith and Thompson are one of several athletes featured in a new book "Shattered Hopes: Canada's Boycott of the 1980 Olympic Games" by Sheila Hurtig Robertson.  The book includes athletes, coaches and decision-makers across several sports recounting their experiences in 1980. The swim team was poised to bring home multiple medals from Moscow.  "This team is part of Canadian swimming's history, a story that really hasn't been told or really didn't get a chance to unfold," Thompson said."

Pony Tidbit - A few hours of Pony News drew more hits to this site then a months worth of swimming news. 

Tuesday's Swim Report - Black Line Fever, Catch It!

Lane 1 - The Daily Telegraph posts 'Swimmer Ian Thorpe considering offer to work as a television commentator at London Olympic Games.  AN Thorpe has dismissed the critics who claim his attempted comeback was financially driven.  The former Thorpedo also revealed he was considering working as a TV commentator at the London Olympic Games."

Lane 2 - The Daily Texan posts "Compared to rest, Reese among the best.  Few college coaches have produced bodies of work with one school as men’s swimming and diving head coach Eddie Reese has at Texas.  Reese is coming off of yet another exceptional finish to the season, his 34th at UT. The Horns falling just short of a claiming an 11th national title en route to a second place finish at the NCAA Championships, Reese’s resume deserves a comparison to some of his head coach counterparts here at the 40 Acres."

Lane 3 - LA Times Ministry of Gossip posts "Gold medalist Michael Phelps is gearing up for Olympic trials this June with some serious workouts. He of the famous wingspan has been training hard at the Under Armour global headquarters in his hometown of Baltimore.  By the looks him, the workouts are paying off."

Lane 4 - Double Dopes!   The Times of India posts "Indian swimmer Surya Prasad banned for flunking dope test.  Indian swimmer Surya Prasad Sharma has been handed a two-year ban for flunking a dope test conducted last year. Sharma tested positive for anabolic steroid stanozolol last year in October."  Washington Post umm…posts "Czech swimmer Michal Rubacek gets 2-year ban for doping, will miss London Olympics."

Lane 5 - Chicago Tribune posts "Go Away With ... Amanda Beard.  Swimmer Amanda Beard won her first Olympic gold medal in 1996 at the summer games in Atlanta. Now 30, the swimming champion -- who has won seven medals at the Olympics -- is hoping to bring home more gold for the United States in her fifth consecutive Olympiad this summer in London.  Beard, who also has a successful sideline career as a model (including a nude spread in Playboy), recently penned "In the Water They Can't See You Cry" (Touchstone, $24.99). The revealing memoir gives readers a look at the struggles she faced with bulimia, learning disorders and broken relationships."

Lane 6 - Sportsbeat posts "World champion swimmer to be first Olympic torchbearer.  SPYROS Gianniotis, a Greek swimmer born in Liverpool, will be the first to carry the London 2012 Olympic flame.  Gianniotis, who won open water swimming gold at last year's World Championship in Shanghai, will be the first of 500 torchbearers who will take the flame on its eight-day 3,000km journey from the Temple of Hera in Olympia to the Panathenaic Stadium in Athens, the site of the first modern Olympics in 1896."  Meanwhile Deadspin posts "The Goldman Sachs-y Group Behind The London Olympics Is Making Torchbearers Buy Their Own Torches,  In all fairness, this isn't the first time a host nation has decided to charge torchbearers for keeping their own torches. The U.S. Olympic Committee applied similar conditions to American torchbearers at the 2002 Winter Games in Salt Lake City. Of course, that was also the year the Salt Lake Organizing Committee, or SLOC, bribed members of the International Olympic Committee with cash, ski trips, and plastic surgery. Want to guess who got to manage the $40 million endowment left by SLOC for Olympics facilities built in Utah? Goldman Sachs."

Lane 7 - York Daily Record posts "Pool policy on gay couples is all wet.  The pool's policies regarding same-sex couples with children were recently the focus of a news story. Michelle Gladfelter of Manchester Township applied for a membership at the pool and was denied the family membership discount.  She is in a relationship with another woman, and the two are raising a 5-year-old child together.  Mr. Jacobs said the pool does not recognize same-sex marriages. That's why the three were denied the discount."

Lane 8 - Q News posts "AQUALICIOUS WINS THE STATE SWIMMING CHAMPIONSHIPS - AGAIN.  The Queensland State Long Course Swimming Championships took place in Hervey Bay from 9-11 March, and Brisbane’s Team Aqualicious walked away with the aggregate points trophy. We would like to thank Brisbane’s GLBTI community for supporting us over the years – both the businesses that have sponsored us, and members of the community who have attended the Aqualicious Pool Party. This is our team’s big annual fundraiser, and the proceeds have allowed our club to flourish and take part in events like the recent state titles."

Ian Thope & "Spiritual Training"

Courier Mail posts "MAKING his first appearance since losing his chance of a dream comeback at the London Olympic, it was an upbeat and "positive" Ian Thorpe who turned out to unveil a portrait painted in his honour.  The five-time Olympic gold medallist, who said he had had only "two long days" off since the Adelaide trials, even shook off the fact an image of the London arena he was meant to compete in was included in the composite painting by Australian artist Charles Billich."

Saturday's Swim Report - Do The Olympic Swimmer Dance!

Lane 1 - SB Nation posts (w/ video) "Buzz Williams Hits A Half-court Shot, Goes Swimming.  Buzz Williams is already a college basketball favorite. He's emotional, he screams, he dances on the sideline and he's never afraid to wear his heart on his sleeve. The Marquette Golden Eagles coach just seems like a good dude to be around.  That extended to a lighthearted moment at practice this week as Marquette prepared for its Sweet 16 matchup against the Florida Gators. Sure, it's stressful preparing for a huge NCAA tournament game, but Williams keeps the mood light."

Lane 2 - The Herald Sun posts "Australian swimmer James Magnussen a 'threat, says US coach.  HOW can we get this guy on our team for the Games?  That was the reaction from world swimming's superpower, the United States, after James Magnussen's scorching performances at the Australian Olympic trials in Adelaide.  US swimming national team director Frank Busch yesterday heaped praise on Australian swimming's man of the moment, who he expected to be a thorn in the side of his team's relay ambitions in London."

Lane 3 - The Washington Post umm…posts "Shirley May France, who as a young woman tried to swim the English Channel, dies at 79.  With the words “Black Magic” emblazoned across the bosom of her swimsuit, Shirley May France captivated two continents with her attempt to swim the English Channel in 1949.  Then a 17-year-old Massachusetts schoolgirl, she would have been the youngest person in history to conquer the 21 miles of frigid double tides and currents between Cap Gris Nez in France and England’s white cliffs of Dover."

Lane 4 - NCAA posts "Cal swimmer learns from the best.  Shields always looking to improve, even by studying dolphins.  Tom Shields is a workhorse. And because he is, Cal’s hopes of repeating as national champs at the NCAA Division I Men’s Swimming and Diving Championships that conclude Saturday have rested squarely on the junior All-American’s shoulders.  “I hear that when they do the next Flipper movie, he’s going to be the stand-in,” Texas coach Eddie Reese cracked, not knowing just how close that could be."

Lane 5 - Alligator posts "UF men's swimming ranks eighth after first day at NCAA Championships."

Lane 6 - The Telegraph posts "Stephanie Rice's heart is biger than Texas - just don't mention her shoulder."

Lane 7 - Time Magazine posts (w/video) "Synchronized Swimming: No Joke.  TIME gets a lesson in synchronized swimming."

Lane 8 - ninemsn posts "Sunk Thorpedo had enough time, Ginn says.  Excuses that Ian Thorpe didn't give himself enough training time to qualify for the London Games doesn't wash with triple Olympic rowing champion Drew Ginn.  But Ginn, who made a comeback of his own in this Olympic cycle after taking two years off rowing as he recovered from delicate back surgery, labelled that as bunk.  The 37-year-old strongly believes older athletes only need six months of full-on hard training to return to their best.  "Having watched all the swimming last week and hearing 'oh they needed another year or two years', sorry to say it, I reckon that's bulls--t," he told AAP."

Monday's Swim Report - The Ringmaster of The Pool

Lane 1 - Crave Online posts "Super Suits Ruined Swimming.  James Magnussen should break a world record. He won't.  Australian swimmer James Magnussen clocked an amazing time in the men’s 100m freestyle at Australian Olympic swimming trails today but, sadly, will not likely ever achieve a world record thanks to the now banned super suits."

Lane 2 - 9msn posts (w/video) " D'Arcy should apologize.  Nick D'Arcy knows he polarises public opinion.  He'd like to be widely supported at the London Olympics. But he's also a realist.  "How I'm perceived in the public is not something I have control over," said D'Arcy, who will race in London four years after being ejected from Australia's Olympic team for assaulting former teammate Simon Cowley."

Lane 3 - Sunrise On 7 posts via youtube "Magnussen competes for Olympics.  While Ian Thorpe's comeback dream is over, 20-year-old world champion James Magnussen will compete for a place in the Olympic squad."

Lane 4 - The Sydney Morning Herald posts "Trickett knows she faces tough fight. While Ian Thorpe's fairytale sank in the pool on Sunday, for Libby Trickett the dream is alive. Tonight she will swim for a chance to compete at her third Olympics after comfortably qualifying for the 100m freestyle final.  Trickett, who announced her comeback 18 months ago, qualified fifth-fastest with a 54.19-second swim, her best time since she returned to competitive swimming."

Lane 5 - Perth Now posts "Geoff Huegill and Michael Klim put comebacks on line.  IT HAS the makings of a fairytale, but Geoff Huegill and Michael Klim are no certainties to turn back the clock 12 years at the Olympic trials today.  The Sydney 2000 silver and bronze medallists have embarked on comebacks in an attempt to qualify for the London Games.  Huegill's journey started in 2008 and, after dropping 45kg, he tasted success with a gold medal at the 2010 Delhi Commonwealth Games.  Klim's return has been more rushed - he decided 18 months ago he wanted to compete at a fourth Olympics and, after falling short in the 100m freestyle, this is his last chance."

Lane 6 - Business Wire posts "Dara Torres, Olympic swimmer, is featured in Kohl's Shop to Win campaign." via youtube

Lane 7 - Brisbane Times posts "Prince Charming still chasing fairytale finish as swimming will greatly benefit from the publicity backwash.  Gather the pegs, fold up the tent, it's time for the circus to leave town. But don't worry: same time, same place in 12 months, the circus will be back in Adelaide.  Any publicity is good for swimming, and Ian Thorpe has been the ringmaster in that category all week at the Olympic selection trials."

Lane 8 - The Australian posts "Margaret Whitlam's key role in landing Olympics for Sydney.  MARGARET Whitlam may have missed her chance to swim for Australia with the cancellation of the 1940 Olympics, but several decades later she played a crucial role in helping Sydney win the right to host the 2000 Games.  Indeed, according to Australian Olympic Committee president John Coates, the harbour city might not have won the hosting rights without Mrs Whitlam, who passed away in Sydney on Saturday, aged 92.  In the book, The Bid: How Australia Won the 2000 Games, published in 1994, bid leader Rod McGeoch recalled the crucial lobbying trip. "Margaret was walking with the aid of a stick but they kept up a gruelling pace around Africa," McGeoch wrote."

Sunday's Swim Report - Nancy Drew & The Case of The Haunted Elbow

Lane 1 - Nine posts "Swimming Monk still scarred from elbow lie.  London Olympics-bound swimmer Kenrick Monk accepts he'll continue to have detractors for lying about his broken elbow.  But the 24-year-old showed great resilience to book his 200m freestyle spot on the Games team despite pain from a right arm he'll never be able to fully straighten after that embarrassing accident six months ago."

Lane 2 - Nine posts (w/video) "D’Arcy completes long journey to Olympics.  Controversial swimmer Nick D'Arcy has completed an eventful journey by booking a ticket to his first Olympic Games at trials in Adelaide."

Lane 3 - Star Telegram posts "Grand Prairie man looks to swim across the Pacific.  Almost 40 years later, Grand Prairie resident Ben Lecomte still recalls learning to swim off the southwestern coast of his native France and developing a yearning for the open water at age 5.  Lecomte honored those bonds in 1998 when he became the first person credited with swimming across the Atlantic. He undertook the exhausting 73-day, 3,716-mile journey to raise money for cancer research in memory of his father, who died of colon cancer.  His website, thelongestswim.com, will carry up-to-the-minute multimedia reports on his position, the weather conditions, the health and mental status of Lecomte and his crew, and the ocean life they encounter."

Lane 4 - Business Week posts "Thorpe Will Swim On After London Olympics Bid Ends in Failure.  Five-time Olympic champion Ian Thorpe said he’ll continue his swimming comeback after missing out on a London Games berth at the Australian selection trials.  Thorpe blew his last chance to secure a spot in the squad by failing to advance out of the 100-meter freestyle heats in Adelaide yesterday."  7 News posts via youtube "Thorpe's Olympic dream over."

Lane 5 - Skynews posts (w/video) "Magnussen targets world record.  The 100m freestyle world record could be under threat when James Magnussen leads a hot field into Monday night's final at Olympic swimming trials in Adelaide.  World champion Magnussen stormed into the decider on Sunday night, clocking 47.93 seconds to become the first man in the world to break the 48-second barrier this year.  Ominously for his domestic and international rivals, Magnussen described the swim as 'pretty cruisey' and says he's yet give his all over the last 25 metros."  Eurosport posts "Magnussen unfazed by illness at trials.  World champion swimmer James Magnussen says he'll have to overcome illness to make the London Olympics team."

Lane 6 - From Behind The Orange Curtain…The OC Register posts "Athletes who survived abuse join together as advocates.  Safe4Atheletes: Prominent athletes who have survived physical or sexual abuse by their coaches have started Safe4Athletes (safe4athletes.org), a nonprofit advocacy and watchdog group where young athletes and their families can turn for help."

Lane 7 - the daily green posts "EPA Proposes Weaker Safe Swimming Guidelines.  Under new guidelines, 1 in 28 swimmers could become sick in water that passes EPA safety muster."

Lane 8 - Triathlete posts "Quick Set Fridays With Sara McLarty.  Triathlete contributor and swimming all-star Sara McLarty has a blog with more than 500 creative workouts used in her Masters swim program in Clermont, Fla. We’ll feature a workout every Friday so you have new ideas to take to the pool. On her blog (www.NTCMastersSwim.blogspot.com), you can pick a Monday set for a long distance focus, a Wednesday set for sprint training, or Friday for creative open water skills."

Saturday's Swim Report - The Never Ending Battle Over Swimsuits

Lane 1 - The Age posts "Olympic swimmers in battle over swimsuits.  A BATTLE has erupted between two of the world's biggest swimsuit manufacturers following revelations top Olympic hopefuls were unhappy with Speedo's revolutionary FASTSKIN3 suits, shunning them at the current national trials.  One of Speedo's six Australian ''ambassadors'' - used to market the new suits - has asked to test the product of rival manufacturer Arena following the swimwear giant's release of ill-fitting and unpopular suits before the London Olympics.  Arena Australia's boss, Guy Tuthill, said many top swimmers had said they wanted to wear Arena high-performance suits. The company has had to more than double its supply in the past three months, in light of Speedo's less-than-ideal launch."

Lane 2 - Eamon Sullivan posts “Not the manliest part of being a swimmer”  via Instagram

Lane 3 - Sunrise 7 posts via youtube "Geoff Huegill fit for Olympic trials.  Some of the biggest names in Australian swimming will hit the pool today, as Olympic trials get underway in Adelaide."  (starts at 46 sec mark)

Lane 4 - The Sydney Morning Herald posts "D'Arcy's Olympic dream still alive after cruising into semi-final.  Controversial butterflier Nick D'Arcy took another step towards reclaiming his Olympic chance when he cruised through to tonight's 200 semi-final heats at the national championships in Adelaide."

Lane 5 - Adelaide Now posts "45-year-old swimmer Jennie Bucknell pursues Olympic dream.  SHE'S 30 years older than some of her rivals and will need a "mystery virus" to book a ticket to London.  But supermum Jennie Bucknell is still thrilled to be competing at this week's Olympic swimming trials at Marion.  The 45-year-old mother of two is the oldest competitor at the national championships, having only begun serious training seven years ago.  She'll compete against swimmers as young as 13 in the women's 50m freestyle, as well as stars Libby Trickett, Cate Campbell and Alicia Coutts.  And while she's hoping to swim a personal best, the Victorian veteran is realistic about her chances given her personal best is more than three seconds slower than Trickett's Australian record."

Lane 6 - The Daily Telegraph posts "James Magnussen targets Russian legend and title of being fastest man in history.  FORGET Black Caviar; James Magnussen has another far more impressive winning streak in his sights.  Magnussen, who has 14 straight wins in the 100m freestyle, said he wants to emulate the great Russian sprinter Alexander Popov, who went eight years without losing in a major meet.  "I know guys like Popov had runs of five, 10 years without losing 100m freestyle races; that is certainly something I would like to aspire to," Magnussen said."

Lane 7 - The Australian posts "Nugent hopes Thorpe swims on to 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics.  IAN Thorpe is probably having difficulty focusing on tomorrow and the huge battle he faces in the 100m freestyle, so it surely is beyond him at present to even consider the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics.  Australian head swimming coach Leigh Nugent, however, is hoping when the fog of disappointment that enveloped Thorpe following his elimination from last night’s 200m freestyle lifts, he will consider extending his comeback to swimming through to the first Olympics ever held in South America."

Lane 8 - "Swimming Australia Awards at Australian Technology Park.  The Swimming Australia Awards were held at Australian Technology Park (ATP) on December 3 2012. Watch this video and see what ATP has to offer as a state of the art world class event venue." via youtube

Friday's Swim Report - Attack Of The Post Swim Booger!

Lane 1 - The Hill posts "Justice delays swimming pool regs for 60 days, maybe longer.  Attorney General Eric Holder on Thursday delayed a rule for 60 days that will require public access swimming pools around the country to install handicapped-accessible ramps or lifts — or face fines of up to $100,000."

Lane 2 - "Ian Thorpe nose Booger interview after london olympics 2012 trials" via youtube

Lane 3 - Sky News posts "Shattered Thorpe won't give up.  A shattered Ian Thorpe is clinging to hope his London Olympic dream is not over despite bombing out in the 200m freestyle at the national swimming trials in Adelaide.  Thorpe was left 'utterly gutted' after being overpowered by a youthful field and managing only the 12th fastest time in Friday night's semi-finals to miss out on a spot in Saturday night's decider.  The event was considered Thorpe's best chance at qualification and his comeback hopes now ride on finishing top six in a strong field for the 100m freestyle, starting on Sunday."  The Brisbane Times posts "'The fairytale has turned into a nightmare'.  an Thorpe suffered no indignity in failing to qualify.  HIS mother, Margaret, said she ''didn't know what to expect'', which might also explain why huge audiences watched Ian Thorpe swim last night: they didn't know if they were acclaiming his return or bidding him farewell.  In the end, the uncertainty of sport was not so glorious and the five-time Olympic champion admitted ''the fairytale has turned into a nightmare'' when he failed to qualify for the London Games in his most likely event, the 200m freestyle."

Lane 4 - NY Times posts "Local Previews of the London Games.  Where to See Olympics Tryouts in American Cities.  SWIMMING
June 25 to July 2
Omaha
Swimming grabbed the country’s attention during Michael Phelps’s eight-gold run in Beijing, but other Americans have continued since then to excel.
WHOM TO WATCH Ryan Lochte, 27, and Rebecca Soni, 25, were each named World Swimmer of the Year in 2010 and 2011, making it the first time since 1990 that Americans received both the men’s and women’s awards in consecutive years. Lochte, Phelps’s longtime foil, won six medals at the world championships in Shanghai last July, signaling his intention to challenge Phelps, who is aiming for an all-time medals record in London. Soni flashed her potential in 2008, winning a gold and two silvers, and seems primed for a breakthrough this summer."

Lane 5 - THe Telegraph posts "Luxury awaits at the London Olympic games athletes village.  Stephanie Rice, who became the first swimmer to qualify for the Games on Thursday night, can enjoy the on-site beauty salon and spa for a bit of pre and post-race pampering, get her hair cut or enjoy some green space if she feels like getting outdoors.  Rice and her Olympic cohorts are expected to consume 25,000 loaves of bread and drink 75,000 litres of milk during visits to the food hall which can accommodate 5000 hungry athletes at a time with a gym also on hand at the site."

Lane 6 - Herald Sun posts "Rapid weight loss is swimmers Emily Seebohm's greatest fear.  OF all the fears and anxieties athletes might suffer about an Olympic Games, Emily Seebohm's seems the strangest.  "I just don't want to lose weight again," Seebohm said.  It's hardly the type of concern that'd keep you awake all night, but for Seebohm her rapid weight loss in Beijing contributed to the most disappointing moment of her career.  As a highly touted 16-year-old, Seebohm carried enormous expectations in Beijing but didn't handle the enormity of the event.  Young and starstruck, Seebohm never settled her nerves.  It meant that despite her slender 70kg frame she lost 7kg before race day arrived  It was weight loss of Biggest Loser proportions and it remains a concern to this day whenever Seebohm goes away for competition."

Lane 7 - "DARA TORRES Olympic Medalist, Speaker, Collaborative Agency Group.    DARA TORRES , Speaker, Collaborative Agency Group.  Five-time Olympian Swimmer, mother, model, TV personality, and motivational speaker" via youtube

Lane 8 - ABC News posts "USOC Finishes Manual on Abuse Prevention.  The U.S. Olympic Committee has distributed a new handbook to help coaches and athletes deal with sexual and physical misconduct in sports.  After a number of sex abuse cases involving USA Swimming, the USOC formed a task force last year. It recommended that national governing bodies adopt standardized policies to ensure safe training environments.  The handbook is an outgrowth of the work by the task force. It is titled "Recognizing, Reducing and Responding to Misconduct in Sport: Creating Your Strategy."

Wednesday's Swim Report - Welcome To Swimming Pool-mageddon!

Lane 1 - Sports Illustrated posts "Ian Thorpe will make or break his comeback at Aussie Olympic Trials.  The man known around the world as The Thorpedo is about to face his moment of truth.  Ian Thorpe's comeback from retirement has been so closely scrutinized Down Under that he has had to prepare in Europe.  So when he arrived in Adelaide two days ahead of the Australian Olympic trials for London 2012, national media carried immediate news confirming he had touched down in the South Australia state capital.  And the 3,000-seat venue hosting the eight-day meet beginning Thursday is expected to be at capacity on Saturday night if Thorpe makes the final of the 200-meter freestyle."  Meanwhile The Daily Telegraph posts "Prepare to be amazed by the flying Thorpedo.  FOR his next trick, Ian Thorpe is going to win the World Series of Poker.  The champion swimmer either owns the greatest poker face in the history of sport or he really is destined for failure when his Olympic trials campaign begins with the 200m freestyle on Friday."  From 7News via youtube posts "Thorpe confident about comeback. Ian Thorpe says he is as confident as ever before tomorrow's trials for the London Olympics."

Lane 2 - The Mirror posts "The moment I finally became a London 2012 believer.  Sports Columnist of the Year Oliver Holt didn't think London 2012 would be a hit. But a visit to the British Swimming Championships changed his mind…"

Lane 3 - Great Falls Tribune posts "Western art week is finally here.  Lamps are piled in the emptied swimming pool at Great Falls' Heritage Inn on Tuesday as artists move into the hotel for the Western Masters Art Show & Sale, which begins today."

Lane 4 - The Sydney Morning Herald posts "Swimmers can ditch their Speedos: AOC.  Intent on protecting swimmers from wearing "substandard" Speedo suits at the London Olympics, the Australian Olympic Committee is giving athletes unprecedented rights to ditch the team sponsor and wear something else.  Even Speedo's Australian ambassadors, which include James Magnussen, Leisel Jones and Eamon Sullivan, should not feel obliged to wear their sponsors' problematic new product if they were concerned it could hinder them in London, the AOC said yesterday."

Lane 5 - Baltimore Sun looks at "Michael Phelps wins gold for the Wall Street Journal.  his week the Wall Street Journal's health blog celebrated its five year anniversary.  And not with cake.  With the Michael Phelps diet.  Or, rather, with the memories of it.  In a post looking back at its five years in existence, the bloggers recalled some of their biggest hits. Near the top of the list was one about the Baltimore swimmer's famously fattening power meals."

Lane 6 - Herald Sun posts "Stephanie Rice looks to Kieren Perkins for inspiration.  STEPHANIE Rice will be motivated by the memory of one of Kieren Perkins' rare swimming failures as she begins her Olympic 400m medley title defence at the selection trials.  Perkins was world record holder in the 400m freestyle but finished third at the 1996 Olympic trials behind Malcolm Allen and Daniel Kowalski to miss selection in the event for the Atlanta Games.  Rice is in a similar position tonight and has the likes of Blair Evans, Samantha Hamill and Ellen Fullerton all snapping at her heels trying to take her position for the London Games."

Lane 7 - 13 News posts "2 people bitten by sharks in New Smyrna Beach.  Two people were victims of shark bites Wednesday.  A man and a woman were bitten about 10 minutes apart, around 3 p.m. Investigators say the bites occurred by the jetty, which is where most shark bite victims are attacked."

Lane 8 - The Hill posts "GOP looks to stop federal regs on public swimming pools.  Two Senate Republicans have introduced legislation that would overturn Justice Department regulations that will soon force public-access swimming pools across the country to install handicapped-accessible ramps and lifts or face a fine of up to $100,000.  The Justice Department regulations are set to take effect on Thursday, despite complaints from hotels and other organizations that the rule will require them to spend up to $9,000 to stay in compliance with the rule."