Norway’s Alexander Dale Oen and Iceland’s Jakob Jóhann Sveinsson on top of the Shanghai World Financial Center supertall skyscraper, on a day off at the Shanghai 2011 World Aquatics Championships. So sad today, my thoughts go out to his family, the Norwegian swimming community, especially those who endured those days in Shanghai, you guys over in Flagstaff, and to all his friends around the world.
According to a press release from the Norwegian Swimming Federation, world champion Alexander Dale Oen was found dead in Flagstaff, Arizona, this morning. He had been talking on Skype to his family back in Norway, just moments before being found lifeless in the shower. They rushed him to Flagstaff Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead. Everyone is in shock, we’ll probably here a lot more, for now my deepest, utmost condolences from a friend in the Faroes. Aftenposten, VG, NRK, BBC.
Image courtesy of Helgi Halldórsson, CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
Bartal made this video after his Shanghai win, makes me cry again. Don’t know if it is appropriate or not, right now, but you know we love him. Please tell me it is not true.
“This Doberman’s life changed dramatically on the day it figured out she could slide down the water slide into the pool. Dobermans are known for having a lot of energy and this looks like a great way for her to burn off the miles. The owner posted in YouTube that “she enjoys the pool more than I do.” Make sure to watch this one all the way through to catch the dog’s reaction to a change in water flow. She chases it.” Read mmn.com
Short raw clip of a surfer taking advantage of the amazing conditions thanks to the Bioluminescence blue waves that hit San Diego back in 2011, read mmn.com
This SVT segment discloses from Greg Salter himself, that the Swedish Swimming Federation repeatedly tried to get him to resign, before finally firing him today. Most of the speak is in Swedish, but Salter comments in English, so you’ll understand that part at least. The Swedish journalist goes on saying that the reason for the firing of Salter was primarily because of a growing distrust among the swimmers, where the stars felt a lack of clear leadership, and where the conclusion of the federation points to Salter having failed in motivating the squad. Via www.simma.nu/se
Elliot Almond of SJ Mercury interviewing Natalie Coughlin. “If they gave medals for being a foodie, Olympic swim champion Natalie Coughlin would win a gold. She’s even appeared on Iron Chef.”
Ian Thorpe supporting his charity Fountain For Youth, via the17thman.
The San Marino team outside Fjörugarðurinn in Hafnarfjörður, Iceland, where we had quite an enjoyable ‘viking meal’, Saturday night at the “2nd Swimming Championships of the Small States of Europeâ€, June 12-13, 2010.
A recommended place, where you can be sworn in as viking and everything. One very special moment was these (very not viking)Â Harvard Din & Tonics who suddenly swarmed the place.
An east London estate, where 700 people live, has received leaflets saying a “Higher Velocity Missile system” could be placed on a water tower, chosen as it is situated close to the Olympic Park and offers an excellent view of the surrounding area and the entire sky above the Olympic Park. Read The BBC and watch video.
The residents are not all amused
