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Depression not just rampant in swimming: Mark Spitz

Mar 28, 2014

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by

rokur

in Psychology

Read for instance zeenews

Ian Thorpe`s much-publicised battle have prompted many to believe that success and depression often go hand in glove in swimming, but nine-time Olympic champion swimmer Mark Spitz feels the psychological disorder today is not just limited to his sport but rampant in other disciplines as well.

The multiple American Olympic champion was here as one of the academy members of the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation. Talking about Australia`s retired swimming star Thorpe, Spitz said he could understood the problems faced by the latter after having won a bagful of medals over the years.

“I can understand why he may have been depressed, he probably didn`t complete his career in the way he wanted it to. I think Ian (Thorpe) didn`t have a chance to gracefully retire and a lot of athletes don`t retire gracefully, they hang around for one too many years and then they start to not do as well,” Spitz said ahead of the 15th Laureus World Sports Awards here last night.

Photo by Doha Stadium Plus
Mark Spitz motivational talk at the National Sports Institute (ISN) in Malaysia

Mar 28, 2014

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by

rokur

in Psychology

Former United States swimming legend, Mark Spitz held a motivational talk for the Malaysian athletes and coaches at the National Sports Institute (ISN) yesterday.
Denis Cotterell still motivating young talent to make breakthroughs after 40 years as a swimming coach

Mar 28, 2014

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by

rokur

in Competition, Training

See ABC

Cotterell recalls the first time he laid eyes on a very young Grant Hackett.

He was not convinced Hackett, eventually a gold medallist at the 2000 and 2004 Olympics, was even the best swimmer in his family.

“He was the younger brother of a very good swimmer, his older brother Craig, and I probably didn’t notice Grant’s talents until more like nine or 10,” he said.

“The pedigree was in the family but Craig at that stage was more athletic and looked to have more potential.”
Bob Burnquist’s Floating Skate Ramp

Mar 27, 2014

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by

rokur

in Fun

Pro-skater Bob Burnquist has skated on almost every surface imaginable. Now he can add the crystal blue waters of Lake Tahoe to that list. Hope it floats.

http://youtu.be/FmHDfTBXEE0
Danish Open 2014 to decide squads for Europeans and European Juniors

Mar 27, 2014

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by

rokur

in Competition
A record number of 95 clubs including 47 foreign clubs will be competing in Copenhagen this week, at the 2014 Danish Open in BellahÃ¸j SvÃ¸mmestadion, doubling as the Danish trials for the Berlin 2014 Europeans and Dordrecht 2014 European Juniors.
Dawn Fraser says Aussie coach Verhaeren likely fired if team doesnâ€™t improve this year

Mar 26, 2014

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by

rokur

in Competition, Organization

Read SBSÂ and ABC

Jacco Verhaeren won’t see out the year as Australia’s head swimming coach if the team fails to perform at the Commonwealth Games and world championships, says Olympic legend Dawn Fraser.

Verhaeren took over the role from Leigh Nugent in January after a seven-year stint as technical director for the Dutch Swimming Federation.

With five Olympic Games under his belt, the 44-year-old has guided some of The Netherlands’ greatest swimmers, including Pieter van den Hoogenband, Inge De Bruin and Ranomi Kromowidjojo.

His first big test will come next week when Australia’s best head to Brisbane for the national titles.

(more…)
Aussie relay team free of stigma: Magnussen

Mar 26, 2014

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rokur

in Competition

Read brisbanetimes

James Magnussen says Australia’s 4x100m men’s freestyle relay team needed an overhaul after the London Olympics, but believes the new-look line-up is capable of returning to a world-class standard.

The controversial team were the face of Swimming Australia’s much-publicised review into a “toxic” culture in the squad during the 2012 Games.

(more…)
Missy Franklin swimming clinic in Kuala Lumpur

Mar 26, 2014

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rokur

in Organization

Olympic gold medal-winning Missy Franklin visits a local Kuala Lumpur pool to give a swimming clinic of a lifetime with some young people ahead of the 2014 Laureus World Sports Awards in the Malaysian capital.

http://youtu.be/TVDY1y_Iz_4
Missy Franklin Named Youngest Ever Laureus Sportswoman Of The Year

Mar 26, 2014

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by

rokur

in Gossip

See press release on Laureus

Three of the most exciting young sports stars of their generation, who have proved world-beaters despite their age, have been honoured at the 2014 Laureus World Sports Awards in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Germanyâ€™s Sebastian Vettel, the youngest four-time Formula One world champion in history at 26, was named Laureus World Sportsman of the Year, US swimmer Missy Franklin, at 18, became the youngest ever winner of the Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year Award, while Spainâ€™s Marc MÃ¡rquez received the Laureus Breakthrough of the Year Award, after winning the World MotoGP Championship at just 20 years and 266 days.

BACKSTAGE: @FranklinMissy having a great time speaking with journalists… #LWSA14 pic.twitter.com/4ZIQqKj7Ut

— Laureus (@LaureusSport) March 26, 2014