Sunday's Swim Report - Dip Into The Swim Of Things

Lane 1 - Herald Sun posts "James Magnussen does it his way.  JAMES Magnussen has no clue whether he could have been a rugby league star, but he knows the fickle nature of team sport hurt him so deeply it convinced him to become a swimmer.  The 21-year-old will carry Black Caviar-like favouritism into the men's 100m freestyle in London.  Magnussen remains a fan of the game and has been a member of the Canterbury Bulldogs for years. He cherishes a photo of himself, aged 11, with club legend Terry Lamb.  These days he attends most Bulldogs home matches at ANZ Stadium and is embraced by the players in the dressing-room. But he has no lingering doubts about giving the game up. Not when he is king of the pool."  Another from the Herald Sun "Australian swimmer James Magnussen says he wants to race US star Michael Phelps.  JAMES Magnussen has a vision: US swimmer Michael Phelps, standing on the blocks next to him, both leading off for their respective nations in pursuit of gold in the 4x100m freestyle relay in London."

Lane 2 - The Record posts "Mark Tewksbury takes another dip with Olympic team, this time as Canada’s chef de mission.  Now, the 44-year-old is poised to lead Canadian Olympians into London in the role of the team’s chef de mission. In the volunteer position as official representative and spokesperson, he’ll be the No. 1 cheerleader and head of the group tasked with ensuring the country’s athletes can achieve their best."

Lane 3 - USA Today posts "Swimmer Brendan Hansen has thrown out expectations.  The University of Texas grad, 30, got married during his sabbatical and began training for London in January 2011 with encouragement from his wife, Martha. Hansen, who had stayed in shape with triathlon training, won both of his events at last year's national championships.  "He was probably as ripped as he's ever been," Eddie Reese, his coach, said. "He just picked a way of life that gave him a better chance if he did come back. It may have been in the back of his mind."

Lane 4 - The Telegraph posts "London 2012 Olympics: poster girl Ellen Gandy going for gold in home swimming pool.  Who on Team GB can claim they are part of the reason why the Olympic Games are being hosted in London in the first place? Ellen Gandy, who joins The Telegraph as one of our Olympic columnists, was there right at the beginning. London’s commuters will remember the posters imploring the public to back the bid – perhaps the most memorable was one of young swimmers diving off the Thames barrier. There’s Gandy, front and centre."

Lane 5 - NBC DFW posts (w/video) "Olympic Medalist Promotes Water Safety.  Former Olympic swimmer says swimming is only sport that can save your life.  An Olympic gold medalist promoted water safety on Friday at Lewisville Lake.  Neil Walker, a former Olympic swimmer who now lives in North Texas, joined the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for Water Safety Week.  Walker was a medalist in both the 2000 and 2004 Olympic Games, and few people know water like he does."

Lane 6 - Cleveland.com posts "Medina Masters Swim Club competes in Medina Sprint Spectacular."  News Observer posts "Raleigh swimmer Erika Braun, 40, qualifies for U.S. Olympic Trials.  At age 40, Raleigh’s Erika Braun is off to the U.S. Olympic Swim Trials in Omaha, Neb..  But in April, 2011, she entered the U.S. Masters Spring National Championships in Mesa, Ariz., and won four races and placed second in two others.  Other than Braun and Torres, the only competitor older than 40 in the Trials will be Steve West. West, 40, is the oldest man ever to qualify for the Trials."

Lane 7 - MetroWeekly posts "Splash the boys! A Swimsuit Issue Outtake. An outtake from the behind-the-scenes shoot at Metro Weekly's upcoming 2012 swimsuit issue at VIDA's Penthouse Pool Club. The Swimsuit issue hits stands on Thursday, May 24."

Lane 8 - Florida Today posts (w/video) "South Beaches surfer healing after shark attack.  Medical bills total about $8,000 for student who nearly lost pinkie.  Shark bite victim recovering, describes attack: Justin Ellingham won the NSSA college men's surfing title for Florida Tech in April. Four days later, he was chomped by a shark near Melbourne Beach. He has no health insurance."