According to gulfnews.com, Tunisian swimmer Oussama Mellouli was named the Super Star and Best Athlete of the 12th Arab Games Thursday, winning a cash prize of $75,000. Mellouli won the title in style, having claimed 13 gold medals in the different swimming races during the Games, and being one of the main reason that Tunesia overtook hosts Qatar for second place in medal standings. He qualified for the London Olympic Games, and won an additional $65,000 for winning the 13 gold medals, bringing his total purse to $140,000. How’s that for a guy that earlier this month almost pulled out of the Games because of a popped rib head.
-
-
Workers face charges for allowing dirty pool to stay open with a body at bottom
Two former state workers will face criminal charges after they allowed a dirty swimming pool to stay open while the body of a woman lay at the bottom. We’ve heard about the story before, the water in the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Pool in Fall River, Massachusetts, was so murky, that Marie Joseph’s body lay there for two after she drowned. Read more on MailOnline
-
FINA suspends Flavio Bomio
As reported yesterday, Flavio A. Bomio is in jail on child sexual molestation charges, whereof he’s partially admitted sexual relationships with two underage boys. Now FINA suspends him with immediate effect, as stated in this press release:Lausanne (SUI), December 22, 2011 – Following information received from the Swiss Swimming Federation and articles in the media, the FINA Executive decides to suspend Mr. Flavio Bomio from his position of the FINA Technical Open Water Swimming Committee Honorary Secretary with immediate effect.
FINA supports the Swiss Swimming Federation and equally strongly condemns sexual abuse of minors.
Update: According to SwimNews, LEN has now also suspended Bomio from his role as Chairman of LEN’s technical open water group.
-
All I want for Christmas …
Funny, Swim Nut Zeke via simma.nu/no
-
Dave Salo the ‘breaststroke whisperer’
Interesting article here on The New York Times, about USC Trojan head Dave Salo, coach of top breaststrokers Kosuke Kitajima, Eric Shanteau, Michael Alexandrov, Rebecca Soni and Jessica Hardy. Renowned for his somewhat controversial low-milage, high-quality, technique-driven training regimen.
The breaststrokers who train under Salo catch the water on their pulls in the same place, but that’s where the similarities end. Hardy, who also is expected to contend for an Olympic medal in the 50 freestyle next year in London, has a core of steel to complement her Gumby-like leg flexibility.
Her strengths are not to be confused with those of Soni, who has neither an extraordinary pull nor an extraordinary kick, but her timing when she puts the two together is exquisite. Kitajima has a powerful kick, but his technique is what makes him hard to beat. His body position is so efficient, he skims the surface like a water bug. Shanteau has a powerful kick that compensates for a weaker upper body.
-
Lecomte demoing iPhone HUD goggles for his Longest Swim
The geek in me is very intrigued (and hopes this is for real): Atlantic Ocean swimmer Ben Lecomte demoing a Vuzix iWear-like iPhone head-up display device for his Aqua Sphere goggles, with which he will be able to read emails and watch video while swimming across the Pacific Ocean, raising funds toward cancer research in honor of his father. There is a waterproofing challenge to be met … may I suggest the NeverWetâ„¢ spray?
-
Scottish Swimming TEAM Brand Launch
Nice video here promoting the new Scottish Swimming TEAM brand, consisting of a fluid saltire and lion rampant, to be featured on squad kit as well as a range of supporter’s kit. Swimmers in the video are Eloise Barber, Lucy Ellis, Kathryn Johnstone, Hannah Miley, Craig McNally, Andrew Mullen, Dougie Scott, Jak Scott, Robbie Renwick and Lewis Smith.
-
Team GB girls model for charity ahead of 2012 Olympics
In between training for London 2012, female members of team GB including synchronised swimmer Jenna Randall have taken time out to pose for the Nichole de Carle London 2012 charity calendar, celebrating the London 2012 Olympic Games with all profits going to Wellbeing of Women. Bless their hearts, go buy that calendar here on nicholedecarle.com!Via MailOnline and Mirror
-
Gyurta and Verrasztó (and coach) in fight over ex-girlfriend
Via Pestiside.hu, see also mosaictv.huHungarian swimmers Gergely Gyurta and Dávid Verrasztó have been ordered to appear at a disciplinary committee meeting after the two got in a fight after Gyurta sent a congratulatory text to Verrasztó’s former girlfriend Sára Joó, who is also a swimmer. All three were at the European Short Course Swimming Championships in Poland, where Verrasztó apparently got so worked up he managed to punch a trainer in the nose (which the trainer now denies) before security managed to stop him. Guess someone’s isn’t exactly over his ex-girlfriend. [sporthirado.hu/hvg.hu]