Three cities have made the shortlist to host the world championships in 2015 and 2017: Guadalajara, Mexico; Hong Kong and Kazan, Russia. FINA will choose the 2015 host on July 15, and the 2017 venue also “if two bids are judged capable of hosting.” China originally entered Guangzhou in the 2015 and 2017 contest, and Montreal also dropped out of the 2017 contest. Before 2015, the 15th World Championships will be organized in Barcelona, Spain from July 19 to August 4, 2013. Source FINA via USA Today.
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Ian Thorpe is not gay, not that there is anything wrong with that
Funny how an undoubtedly modern and open-minded reporter can begin by quoting Ian Thorpe on saying that he doesn’t like people writing about his private life, and then go on writing about his private life. It reminds me of when people are being loud about being more tolerant than others, not understanding that by doing this, they are being exactly the opposite. I myself struggle with homophobia, feeling slightly perverted by not being able to rent Brokeback Mountain in public :-P
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Swimming across the Corryvreckan whirlpool
The Corryvreckan Whirlpool is a mile of swirling, turbulent water that separates the Scottish Inner Hebrides island of Jura from northerly Scarba. Rumour whirls around this murky place, they say it is the third largest whirlpool in the world, that the Royal Navy classify it as officially ‘unnavigable’, that an unfortunate Norse king was swept to his death here at some point, and that George Orwell almost drowned here. But still a few hardened swimmers take up the challenge, having about half an hour to swim the mile before the tide changes. I like it! :-) Via blog.bestwestern.co.uk.
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Steve West qualifies for the U.S. Olympic Trials at age 39
Steve West recently became the oldest man ever to qualify for the U.S. Olympics trials, with a 2:20.65 in the 200 breaststroke. Juggling family, job and sports, he still manages to squeeze in the 3 times 1 hour of training a week that he needs to pull out a 2:20 in the 200 breast. Kudos from the Faroe Isles!
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Canada Cup: Phelps flew in the 100 fly
The king is back, at the Canada Cup yesterday, Michael Phelps posted a world’s best this year in the 100 meter butterfly, 51.32, beating Chris Brady and Wu Peng and others. Read more on for instance SwimmingWorld Magazine and SwimNews.com.
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NZ teen swimmer ‘divorces’ parents for Rhi Jeffrey
17-year-old Justin Wright has taken legal actions against his parents, so he can continue his relationship with 24-year-old Rhi Jeffrey, American gold medallist from the 2004 Olympics. Jeffrey retired in 2007, but has since moved to New Zealand to revive her career in an attempt to qualify for the 2012 Olympics in London. When Wright and Jeffrey struck of a relationship, his parents withdrew consent for him to compete in national swimming events. But now Wright has won court permission to be a member of Swimming New Zealand against his parents’ wishes, and lives with Jeffrey. Read more here on timeslive.co.za.
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First documented cookiecutter shark attack on a live human
This scientific paper details the first documented attack on a live human by a cookiecutter shark, named so because it uses its large bottom jaw teeth to bite out a cookie-cutter shaped piece of flesh from its victim. In this particular case from 2009, the shark first tried to carve out a piece of the 61-year-old man’s chest, and then was more successful in getting a piece of his leg, while he attempted to board a support kayak. There are pictures of the wound in the paper, looking quite gruesome when fresh, but then later turned out to heal quite fine. Via treehugger.com.
