World Championships, Day One Finals: Ariarne Titmus Turns Race of the Century Into World-Record Romp
by JOHN LOHN – EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
23 July 2023, 04:58am
World Championships, Day One Finals: Ariarne Titmus Turns Race of the Century Into World-Record Romp
No more waiting. No more buildup. No more here’s-how-it-might-go scenarios. Just racing, and an answer to the prevailing question in the sport over the past few months – if not the past year. Who will win the Race of the Century: Part II?
Eight days of competition at the World Championships in Fukuoka got underway on Sunday at the Marine Messe Hall, and fans were immediately treated to an epic show from Ariarne Titmus. The Australian superstar turned what was supposed to be a three-woman battle into a virtuoso performance, as she shattered the world record in the 400-meter freestyle with a time of 3:55.38. The former record was set earlier this year by Canadian teenager Summer McIntosh at 3:56.08.
For months, the swimming world buzzed over the impending matchup between Titmus, McIntosh and American Katie Ledecky. Would all three go under the world record in their Race of the Century? Would Ledecky repeat as world champion? Would McIntosh reaffirm her status as the new kid on the block? In the end, Olympic champion Titmus showed that she’s The One, and she did so in dominant fashion.
Titmus trailed at only one juncture during the race, at the 50-meter turn. From there, she was in command. At the midway point, she held a .53 edge on McIntosh, but the gap expanded over the field during the back half of the race. More than a second over world-record pace at the 300-meter mark, Titmus crushed the closing 100 meters in 58.48 to reclaim her global mark.
Ledecky rallied during the second half of the race to grab the silver medal in 3:58.73 while New Zealand’s Erika Fairweather ran down McIntosh to pick up the bronze medal in 3:59.59. McIntosh placed fourth in 3:59.93, nearly four seconds off her personal best.
“It’s probably my most satisfying win,” Titmus said. “I feel like I didn’t have the most perfect prep coming into this and I think it all came together in the last few months. To swim like that and swim really free and fearless, I feel really over the moon to get that one.”
The event was given its nickname due to the credentials it sported. Ledecky, Titmus and McIntosh are the last three world-record setters in the 400 freestyle, and rare are the chances for such a trio to compete against one another in peak form. While Ledecky set three world records in the event from 2014-2016, it was Titmus who wrested command in 2022. Earlier this year, the 16-year-old McIntosh took possession of the world record while racing at the Canadian Trials.
Of the now 44 sub-4:00 performances in history, 42 belong to this triumvirate – another illustration of the dominance on display. More, Ledecky was the 2016 Olympic champion and Titmus the gold medalist from the 2020 Games. Really, the race had it all…although Titmus was not about to allow a close fight to materialize.
Nicknamed the Terminator, Titmus has long been known for her gutsy approach and deep belief. When Ledecky was swimming in another realm, Titmus – along with coach Dean Boxall – believed she could close the gap on the U.S. legend and establish herself as an all-time great. Indeed, that scenario has come to fruition.
“I think it’s about trusting yourself,” Titmus said. “I’ve got ‘fearless’ tattooed on my foot so I can see it right before I dive. Just trying to swim like that little girl that I was. When I was first up against Katie, I was never afraid to take it to her. And Summer and Katie are world-record holders, so I feel like the only way to beat them was to take it out and see who had the most fight and who had the most left in the tank at the end. I’m happy that it worked.”
Prior to this evening, the last matchup dubbed the Race of the Century unfolded at the home of the Olympics. At the 2004 Athens Games, the men’s 200 freestyle featured a clash between longtime rivals Ian Thorpe and Pieter van den Hoogenband, and the man who would be the sport’s king – Michael Phelps.
Thorpe and van den Hoogenband clashed four years earlier, when the Olympics were held on Thorpe’s home turf in Sydney. In that showdown, the Dutchman prevailed, as he matched his world record from the semifinals with an identical clocking of 1:45.35. That week, a 15-year-old Phelps – still developing into a multi-event monster – just missed out on the podium in the 200 butterfly, finishing fifth.
In Athens, the 200 freestyle offered Thorpe the opportunity to avenge his 2000 defeat to van den Hoogenband. By then, the Aussie had reclaimed the world record, making it more than a second quicker than what won Sydney gold. Meanwhile, Phelps had officially morphed into the sport’s featured act, a man talented enough to contest eight individual events on the biggest stage – five of them individual disciplines.
Ultimately, it was Thorpe who emerged victorious in that version of the Race of the Century, with “Hoogie” earning the silver medal. Via an American record, Phelps picked up the bronze medal and proved he belonged with the big boys in their specialty event.
Nineteen years later, it’s impossible to ignore the parallels between what transpired in Athens and this latest version of the Race of the Century. Like Thorpe and van den Hoogenband, Ledecky and Titmus were the veterans, and had an established rivalry. McIntosh, although the recently minted world-record holder, was the upstart, a la Phelps.
On this night, though, Titmus stood alone.
“I can’t really complain,” Ledecky said. “I think I executed the race the way I wanted to. I thought that Ariarne and Summer would be out fast, so I wanted to stay in contact and build from there. I felt like I did that. Ariarne just took off. I just lost contact.”
By breaking the four-minute mark, Fairweather joined exclusive company as just the fifth woman in history to dip under that barrier. It was an effort that seemed to be within reach, and was deeply satisfying.
“I’m really stoked,” Fairweather said. “This has been the goal for a while. I dropped to that four-minute mark a couple of months ago, so to dip under four minutes is unreal.”
McIntosh didn’t have the swim she would’ve liked. But the Canadian team was sanguine about it afterward.
“Obviously it wasn’t the best night that I’ve had racing so far,” she said. “But I’ll just kind of try and use it as a learning experience heading into the next following days and, of course, Paris as well. Not every race can be a 10 out of 10 so I’m going to try and push forward as much as possible and learn as much as possible from that.”
World Championships, Day Two Semifinals: David Popovici Sharpening His Form In Quest For 200 Freestyle Repeat
by JOHN LOHN – EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
24 July 2023, 05:58am
World Championships, Day Two Semifinals: David Popovici Sharpening His Form In Quest For 200 Freestyle Repeat
A year ago, David Popovici used the summer to announce his presence as one of the sport’s premier talents. In addition to earning world titles in the 100 freestyle and 200 freestyle, the Romanian broke the longstanding world record of Cesar Cielo in the 100 freestyle. This summer, the 18-year-old is trying to build on his growing legacy.
Looking comfortable throughout his four laps, Popovici nailed down the top seed for the final of the 200-meter freestyle at the World Championships in Fukuoka. Popovici booked Lane Four for Tuesday night on the strength of a 1:44.70 marker, one of only two sub-1:45 efforts in the semifinals. The other came from American Luke Hobson, who raced next to Popovici and touched in a personal best of 1:44.87.
One of three men to break the 1:43 barrier in the 200 freestyle, the next target for Popovici is the 14-year-old world record of Paul Biedermann. At the 2009 World Championships in Rome, where 43 world records were set, the German clocked a time of 1:42.00. Of course, that effort was fueled by a since-banned polyurethane suit that made the sport – for a period – more about technology than pure skill.
If anyone is capable of tracking down that Biedermann standard, it’s Popovici. He owns a personal best of 1:42.97 in the 200 free, which is the fastest time ever produced in a textile suit. Not only does Popovici possess a potent combination of speed and endurance, he believes he is capable of achieving feats not yet seen. In Fukuoka, the question is how much Popovici has saved up for the final. Certainly, he looked easy in his semifinal.
Hobson’s initial trip inside 1:45 bodes well for the United States, as he is a rising star from the University of Texas and figures to have plenty of international work ahead. Whether Hobson can back up his second seed and earn his first World Championships medal will come down to the American denying a stacked field behind him. In his semifinal, Hobson was aggressive and that approach will be relied on with medals on the line.
Sitting third and fourth are Korea’s Hwang Sunwoo and Great Britain’s Tom Dean. Hwang covered his semifinal in 1:45.07 while Dean, the Olympic champ in Tokyo, went 1:45.29 to place just ahead of the 1:45.40 by British teammate Matt Richards. Lee Hojoon of Korea went 1:45.93 for sixth and Kieran Smith made it two Americans in the final with a time of 1:45.96.
The final spot went to Austria’s Felix Aubock, who won a swimoff over Japan’s Katsuhiro Matsumoto. After tying for eighth at 1:45.97 in the semifinals, Aubock and Matsumoto posted respective times of 1:46.30 and 1:46.37 in the swimoff.
Photo Courtesy:
As His Final World Record Vanished, Michael Phelps Celebrated – His Sport Continually Evolving and In Good Hands
by JOHN LOHN – EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
23 July 2023, 11:54pm
As His Final World Record Vanished, Michael Phelps Celebrated – His Sport Evolving and In Good Hands
How does the cliché go? All things must come to an end? After 20-plus years, that reality hit the swimming world – and beyond – on Sunday night when Michael Phelps’ reign as a world-record holder ceased. Wait, really? Is that possible? The guy who elevated the sport to never-before-seen levels is no longer the fastest man in any specific discipline? It doesn’t seem possible.
Ah, but that is where we are in late July 2023, seven years after Phelps last competed at the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. And it took a magnificent performance for the GOAT’s name to be removed from the record books. Truthfully, only that type of effort was appropriate given the influence the now 38-year-old has had on the sport for more than two decades.
For the past year, since he was crowned world champion last summer in Budapest, Frenchman Leon Marchand has been touted as the man who would take down Phelps’ iconic – and last-standing – world record. We’re talking about the 4:03.84 clocking the American legend delivered in the 400-meter individual medley as the opening act of his Beijing Blitz in 2008. Yep, that thing was set 15 years ago.
Marchand was less than a half-second off the standard at the 2022 edition of the World Champs, going 4:04.28 in Budapest. That swim initiated its own clock, a countdown timer on the lifespan of Phelps’ mark. All focus, then, shifted to Fukuoka, site of the 2023 World Champs, as Marchand’s next opportunity. It was a chance he wouldn’t let escape.
For eight laps, Marchand unleashed a masterclass in multi-stroke swimming. Under world-record pace from the outset, the 21-year-old packaged power and precision to produce a time of 4:02.50 at the Marine Messe Hall. That time sliced more than a second off Phelps’ world record, an eon in a sport that is typically defined by hundredths of seconds.
Phelps witnessed Marchand’s record from a perch in the stands, thanks to NBC Sports having the foresight to include the Olympic legend in its broadcast booth. Over the past few years, Phelps has been a regular guest of NBC at major competitions, providing viewers with insights that not only reflect his deep knowledge, but also his passion. So, it made sense for Phelps to be on the call as Marchand targeted his last record.
As Marchand moved through the water first in butterfly and then in backstroke, he was slightly under world-record pace. By the time he completed the breaststroke portion of the race, the strength among his many strengths, the French star was nearly three seconds ahead of Phelps’ pace from Beijing. On the closing freestyle leg, there was no doubt Phelps’ world record was taking its final breaths. By how much? That was the only question.
There was beauty to Marchand’s performance, as it was a long-anticipated entry on a perfectly constructed timeline. A junior world champion, Marchand was a prodigy who advanced to the final of the 400 medley at the Olympic Games in Tokyo, his vast potential evident. From there, he shifted his training to Arizona State University and the guidance of coach Bob Bowman. You know, the guy who crafted a perfect timeline – from 11 years on – as the mentor to Phelps.
Together, Marchand and Bowman have achieved tremendous success, the pupil generating performances never previously seen at the collegiate level. In their day, the Phelps-Bowman partnership was a perfect pairing of vision and collaboration. Phelps wanted to change the sport, by bringing it greater attention and proving that no objective is unattainable. Marchand is now operating in that vein, too.
As much as what Marchand produced in the water was beautiful, so was the way Phelps carried himself in the booth while watching his final standard fade. With each lap, there was an elevated joy in the American’s voice, with Phelps even calling out, “Let’s go.” Imagine rooting for your own record’s demise. That’s what happened. It wasn’t a moment of mourning. It was a moment of excitement and deep appreciation for someone with whom Phelps can connect – and few others can. It was about recognizing the work that had been done. About honoring preparation and Bowman’s ability to give Marchand what he needed to excel, and ultimately become a world-record holder. It was about a special moment for the sport of swimming.
It was about history.
When Marchand touched the wall and celebrated his achievement, Phelps applauded and gave his heir a standing ovation. Later in the evening, it was Phelps who presented Marchand with his medal, and gave the youngster a hug before raising his hand in the air. They were perfect scenes, one champion honoring another.
Before this weekend, Phelps had watched other world records go down. In 2009, he lost his mark in the 200 freestyle to Paul Biedermann, the German propelled by a technological speedboat of a suit. Ryan Lochte took his record in the 200 individual medley. Kristof Milak and Caeleb Dressel lowered his standards in the 200 butterfly and 100 fly, respectively. And now, the last record is gone.
While Marchand broke Phelps’ record from the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, the American first set the world mark in the 400 medley in the summer of 2002 in Fort Lauderdale. That means nearly 21 years as the custodian of that standard, which is a record in itself.
Oh, there are plenty of other records still owned by Phelps. Twenty-eight Olympic medals, 23 of which are gold. Eight titles in a single Olympiad. Thirty-nine world records. Thirty-three medals at the World Championships. A couple of relay records to which he significantly contributed. The list remains long.
But on the line next to a singular event? No. His name is now missing. Such is the influence of time, innovation and the evolving emergence of young athletes who want to be their own version of Michael Phelps, eager to excel at unimaginable levels and have their own impact on the sport.
Leon Marchand is one.
Michael Phelps approves.
Happy Birthday Aaron Peirsol
Aaron Peirsol (USA)
Honor Swimmer (2016)
The information on this page was written the year of their induction.
FOR THE RECORD: 2000 OLYMPIC GAMES: silver (200m backstroke), 2004 OLYMPIC GAMES: gold (100m backstroke, 200m backstroke, 4x100m medley); 2008 OLYMPIC GAMES: gold (100m backstroke, 4x100m medley), silver (200m backstroke); 2001 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS (LC): gold (200m backstroke), 2003 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS (LC): gold (100m backstroke, 200m backstroke, 4x100m medley), silver (4x200m freestyle); 2005 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS (LC): gold (100m backstroke, 200m backstroke, 4x100m medley); 2007 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS (LC): gold (100m backstroke) , silver (200m backstroke); 2009 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS (LC): gold (200m backstroke, 4x100m medley); 2002 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS (SC): gold (200m backstroke, 4x100m medley, 4x100m freestyle), silver (100m backstroke), bronze (4x200m freestyle); 2004 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS (SC): gold (100m backstroke, 200m backstroke, 4x100m medley); 2002 PAN PACIFIC CHAMPIONSHIPS: gold (100m backstroke, 200m backstroke, 4x100m medley); 2006 PAN PACIFIC CHAMPIONSHIPS: gold (100m backstroke, 200m backstroke, 4x100m medley); 2010 PAN PACIFIC CHAMPIONSHIPS: gold (100m backstroke, 4x100m medley); 1999 PAN AMERICAN GAMES: silver (200m backstroke).
Growing up in the seaside communities of southern California, his love affair with the water came to him naturally. He was introduced to competitive swimming under coach Stacy Zapolski at the Costa Mesa YMCA when he was just five years old. At age eight he moved to a summer swim and water polo league in Corona del Mar with coach Ted Bandaruk. At ten, he joined Junior Lifeguards in Newport Beach before making the move to Irvine’s Novaquatics to swim under Brian Pajer.
Aaron Peirsol’s progress as a competitor was both rapid and steady. His laid-back California demeanor belied the fierce competitor within. Under the tutelage of Dave Salo, Aaron qualified for his first Junior Nationals at 13, swam in Senior Nationals at 14 and qualified for his first national team the next year. He burst onto the international scene at 16 by winning a silver medal in the 200-meter backstroke at the 1999 Pan American Games. At 17, he won the silver medal behind Lenny Krayzelburg in the same event at the Sydney Olympic Games. After that he was unstoppable.
His first world title came at the 2001 FINA World Championships in Fukuoka, Japan in the 200-meter backstroke. The first of his 13 long-course world records came in the same event at the USA Swimming Spring Nationals in 2002. After graduating from high school, he moved on to the University of Texas, where he would train under Hall of Fame Coach Eddie Reese for the remainder of his career.
At the 2003 FINA World Championships, in Montreal, the 2004 Athens Olympic Games and 2005 FINA World Championships in Montreal, he swept all of the backstroke events, including his participation on the USA’s gold-medal winning medley relays.
In 2007 he saw his unbeaten string of seven years in the 200-meter and six years in the 100-meter snapped by teammate Ryan Lochte. At the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, Aaron won gold in the 100-meter backstroke and the 4×100 medley relay, while finishing runner-up to Lochte in the 200.
After a brief break away from the pool, but not the water, he returned the following year to raise the bar one last time. At the US Nationals, he smashed the 52-second barrier in the 100-meter with a stunning 51.94 world record swim – and at the FINA World Championships less than a month later came another world record performance of 1:51.93 in the 200-meter backstroke. The world records still stand – an astonishing seven years later.
Believing he had nothing more to prove in the pool, Aaron retired from the sport in 2011, but continues to develop the special relationship he has with the water and works to promote the protection of the world’s oceans.
Happy Birthday Eddie Reese
Eddie Reese (USA)
Honor Coach (2002)
The information on this page was written the year of their induction.
FOR THE RECORD: 1988 OLYMPIC GAMES: Assistant Coach Men’s and Women’s Team; 1992 OLYMPIC GAMES: Head Coach Men’s Team; 1996 OLYMPIC GAMES: Assistant Coach Men’s Team; 2000 OLYMPIC GAMES: Assistant Coach; 1998 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS: Assistant Coach Men’s and Women’s Team; Coach of 22 OLYMPIANS winning 22 gold, 10 silver and 3 bronze medals; 9 NCAA NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS; Coach of 17 NCAA Individual Champions (1977-2001) winning 39 NCAA titles.
One of the most successful coaches in swimming history, Eddie Reese has a knack of bringing out the best in each swimmer, that is, getting them to swim fast. Never without a smile or a kind word, his poolside manner is his key. His swimmers have a lot of fun but underneath, they work their hardest. Eddie’s proven success is built on fun, confidence and hard work.
Reese was born July 23, 1941 in Daytona Beach, Florida. He entered Mainland High School at 13 years old and swam on every school swim team from ninth grade until graduation. He won two state championships in the 200y individual medley and held the National Junior Olympic AAU title in the same event.
He graduated from the University of Florida in 1963 with a degree in physical education. He had won seven Southeast Conference titles in the 200y and 400y individual medleys, 200y breaststroke and 400y freestyle and medley relays, tying for third on the Gators all-time SEC title leaders list over a three-year period.
He remained in Gainesville as a graduate assistant coach for one year. After a year at Roswell (New Mexico) High School, Reese returned to Florida as assistant coach from 1967 to 1973 before taking over the head-coaching job at Auburn University in Alabama. Shortly after leaving Florida, his younger brother Randy became head swim coach of the men’s and women’s Florida Gator teams. Reese spent six years at Auburn University taking a team that had never scored at the NCAA National Championships to a second place team finish his last year.
In 1978, he was hired as head coach of men’s swimming at the University of Texas in Austin, where he remains today. Through the 2001 season, he developed a record of 183 dual meet wins and 53 losses in a 23-year period. His teams have won 8 NCAA National Championships. Eddie’s induction into the International Swimming Hall of Fame is measured by his international success on the world-swimming scene. Reese-coached swimmers by Olympic years include:
1976 – Montreal, Bill Forrester won the bronze medal in the 200m butterfly.
1980 – Moscow, Rick Carey, William Paulus, Bill Forrester and Kris Kirchner earned spots on the U.S. Olympic Team, but did not compete because of the boycott. Kirchner was a member of the 100m and 400m free relays, while Paulus won the USA Trials and set a world record in the 100m fly. Ken Armstrong was a member of the Canadian Team.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=Ou2oWmPsz9Q%3Ffeature%3Doembed
1984 – Los Angeles, Rick Carey captured three golds winning the 100m (55.79) and 200m (2:00.23) backstrokes and helping the U.S. win the 400m medley relay.
1988 – Seoul, Chris Jacobs earned a silver in the 100m freestyle (49.08) and two golds as a member of USA’s 400m and 800m relays. Doug Gjertsen also swam the third leg of the USA’s winning 800m free relay, while Shaun Jordan won gold in the prelim leg on USA’s winning 400m relay team. Kirk Stackle joined the U.S. squad with a second in the 200m breaststroke in trials. Bill Stapleton competed in the 200m I.M. and Daniel Watters made the U.S. team in the 100m breaststroke.
1992 – Barcelona, Hans Dersch earned a gold in the 400m medley relay (prelims). Doug Gjertsen captured gold in the 400m free relay (prelims) and a bronze as a member of the American 800m free relay. Shaun Jordan won gold swimming a prelim leg on USA’s 400m relay team.
1996 – Atlanta, Josh Davis earned three gold medals for his contributions to the USA relays. He swam the leadoff leg in finals of the 800m free relay, and took part in the 400m free relay, and swam the freestyle leg of the 400m medley relay in the preliminaries. Former Longhorn Gary Hall, Jr. struck gold swimming the anchor legs in the finals of the 400m free relay and the 400m medley relay. He also raced to two silver medals in the 50m and 100m freestyles. He attended Texas in 1993-1994.
Former Longhorn Brad Bridgewater swam to gold in the 200m backstroke. He attended Texas in 1992-1994. Carlos Arena was a member of the Mexican Swimming Team.
2000 – Sydney, Current swimmers Ian Crocker and Tommy Hannan as well as former Longhorns Josh Davis, Nate Dusing, Scott Goldblatt, Gary Hall, Jr., Jamie Rauch and Neil Walker competed for the United States accounting for one-third of the entire USA Swimming Team. Davis carried the youthful squad, capturing two silver medals as a member of the 400 and 800 freestyle relay teams.
In his first Olympics, Walker claimed a gold medal as a member of the winning 400 medley relay and a silver medal in the 400 freestyle relay, while Rauch, Goldblatt and Dusing all earned Olympic silver in the 800 freestyle relay event. Former Longhorn Gary Hall won gold medals in the 50 freestyle and as a member of the 400m medley relay. He also claimed silver as the anchor of the 400 freestyle relay and a bronze in the 100 freestyle. In addition, Crocker and Hannan won gold in the 400 medley relay. All total, 21 of Reese’s swimmers won 21 gold medals, 10 silver medals and 2 bronze medals through 2000.
In World Championship competition from 1978 to 2001, swimmers Dusin, Goldblatt, Hansen, Crocker, Walker, Hall, Davis, Gjertsen, Carey and Nevid have won a total of 9 gold, 7 silver and 2 bronze medals. At the Pan Pacific Championships from 1985-1999, 12 Reese coached swimmers won 17 gold medals, 7 silver and 8 bronze while at the Pan American Games from 1979 to 1999, 11 of his swimmers won 17 gold, 2 silver, and 4 bronze medals.
In long course swimming, Reese-coached Rick Carey set 3 world records in the 100m backstroke and two world records in the 200m backstroke. William Paulus set the 100m butterfly record in 1981. Swimmers competing on relays helped set nine world records including Chris Jacobs (400 FR), Doug Gjertsen (800 FR), Rick Carey (400 MR, 4 times), Ian Crocker (400 MR) and Gary Hall, JR. (400 MR – 2 times). Short course world records were set by Clay Britt (100m back), Rick Carey (100m, 200m back) and Scott Spann (100m breaststroke, 100m butterfly, 200m IM).
Eddie was selected head coach of the U.S. Men’s Olympic Swimming Team for the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, and assistant coach for the 1988 Seoul Games, 1996 Atlanta Games and 2000 Sydney Games. He was the American Swim Coaches Association Coach of the Year (1991) and awarded the College Swimming Coaches National Collegiate and Interscholastic Swimming Trophy. He was recognized by other Halls of Fame, including the Texas Longhorn Hall of Honor.
Eddie’s emphasis has always been “the team.” Individual success is derived from team play and team play is successful because of individual success. “A lot of people look for the easy way to do anything. And in swimming, there is no easy way.”
Rather than coach the sport of swimming, Eddie teaches it; and he places just as much emphasis on teaching the skills of life to his swimmers. He is a prime example of nice guys don’t finish last. They finish first.
Throwback Thursday: George Breen wins the 1500 at the 1950 National AAU Indoor Swimming and Diving Championships
Bob Bowman to be inducted as 2023 Honor Coach
As a coach at the North Baltimore Aquatic Club in the 1990s, Bowman had already served coaching stints with the Napa Valley Swim Team, Cincinnati Marlins and the Las Vegas Gold Swim Team. It was at NBAC where his career skyrocketed, his ability to mold the talent of Michael Phelps opening doors to global recognition.
Behind Bowman’s mentorship, Phelps shredded all sorts of records in the sport and Olympic realm, ultimately claiming 28 Olympic medals, 23 of the gold variety, over multiple events. Bowman also helped Phelps to 33 medals at the World Championships and 39 world records.
“He’s a father figure to me,” Phelps once said of Bowman. “He knew how to get the most out of me in the water, but he’s helped me through some of the worst times in my life. He’s been there every step of the way, and I’m forever thankful. I’ve said this all along. I don’t think I could have accomplished what I did with any other coach.”
Bowman has been a coach for four United States Olympic teams, handling head-coaching duties at the 2016 Games in Rio de Janeiro. He has also served as a Team USA staff member at multiple World Championships, including the head-coaching role at this past summer’s edition in Fukuoka, Japan.
A former captain at Florida State University, Bowman oversaw the University of Michigan program from 2004-2008, a stint which included a Big Ten Conference crown. Bowman returned to NBAC in 2008 and stayed in Baltimore until 2015, when he accepted the challenge of leading the men’s and women’s programs at Arizona State University.
At Arizona State, Bowman has revitalized a program that was once tapped for elimination and was a Pac-12 Conference doormat upon his arrival. Through constant building and belief, Bowman led the Sun Devils to a third-place finish at the 2022 NCAA Men’s Championships and a runner-up showing at the 2023 NCAA Champs. His most recent season also included a conference championship, the first in program history.
Bowman has coached a bevy of Olympians, including Olympic gold medalists, Allison Schmitt and Chase Kalisz. Most recently, Bowman has worked with French superstar Leon Marchand, who has become a world champion and NCAA champion under Bowman’s tutelage.
Come join Coach Bowman and this year’s spectacular class of 2023 in Ft. Lauderdale. If you cannot join us, consider making a donation. To make a donation, click here: https://www.ishof.org/donate/
Class of 2023 Honorees
Bob Bowman (USA) / Honor Coach
Chris Carver (USA) / Honor Coach
Cesar Cielo (BRA) / Honor Swimmer
Kirsty Coventry (ZIM) / Honor Swimmer
Missy Franklin (USA / Honor Swimmer
Natalia Ischenko (RUS) / Honor Synchronized Swimmer
Kosuke Kitajima (JPN) / Honor Swimmer
Heather Petri (USA) / Honor Water Polo Player
Michael Phelps (USA) / Honor Swimmer
Wu Minxia (CHN / Honor Diver
Sam Ramsamy (RSA) / Honor Contributor
Stephane Lecat (FRA) / Honor Open Water Swimmer
Trischa Zorn (USA) / Honor Paralympic Swimmer
2023 ISHOF Aquatic Awards – Presented by AquaCal(Formerly the Paragon Awards)
2023 ISHOF Specialty AwardsFriday, September 29, 2023
Purchase Friday Night Tickets Here
5:00 – Cocktails and hors d’oeuvresOceanview Veranda Fort Lauderdale Marriott Harbor Beach, 3030 Holiday Drive, Ft. Lauderdale, FL 954.525.40006:00 – Awards Ceremony Caribbean BallroomFort Lauderdale Marriott Harbor Beach8:30 – Dinner on own
ISHOF Aquatic Awards – Presented by AquaCal
Swimming: Mike Unger (USA)Diving: Ellie Smart (USA)Water Polo: Mark Koganov (AZB)Synchro: Maria Jose Brunel (ESP)Aquatic Safety: Cullen Jones (USA)Recreational Swimming: Sophia Forte (USA)
ISHOF Specialty Awards John K. Williams Jr. Award: Gail M. Dummer (USA)Judge Martin Award: Norm Taplin (USA)ISHOF Service Award: Laura Voet (USA)Buck Dawson Author’s Award: Elaine K. Howley (USA)Buck Dawson Author’s Award: Tom Gompf (USA)Al Schoenfield Media Award: John Lohn Virginia Hunt Newman Award: Amanda GawthropeSammy Lee Award: TBA
Duraflex Award:
**More ticket information to come**
**All ticket sales are final unless event is canceled**
HOTEL INFORMATION
Host Hotel: Fort Lauderdale Marriott Harbor Beach Resort & Spa
The Fort Lauderdale Marriott Harbor Beach Resort & Spa, (3030, Harbor Drive, Fort Lauderdale, 33316, 954. 525.4000) site of the Friday night awards ceremony is our host hotel. The hotel has given us a special rate of $229 per room night. Please make your reservations through the link below prior to August 29.
(Be sure to say you do not want the resort fee or you will be charged $259)
To make reservations click here: https://book.passkey.com/e/50527236
Upscale retreat with private beach access, two pools, four restaurants, full-service spa and oceanside bar. Location of the Friday evening awards ceremony.
¼ mile south of the International Swimming Hall of Fame.
($30 Resort fee – Guests can opt out if not interested in resort amenities)
Additional Hotel Option:
Courtyard Marriott Fort Lauderdale Beach, 440 Seabreeze Blvd., Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33316
(954) 524-8733.
Click Here: Book your group rate for Honoree Ceremony
Special ISHOF Guest Rate of $169 – $189 per night
Honoree Ceremony September 29-30, 2023: Last Day to Book: Friday, August 31, 2023.
World Championships Preview: Men’s Sprint Freestyle: Can David Popovici Lower World Record Again? (Predictions)
Photo: David Popovici (right) with Maxime Grousset after the 100 freestyle final at the 2022 World Championships — Photo Courtesy: Andrea Staccioli / Deepbluemedia / Insidefoto
Our Class of 2023 Honorees keep coming up in articles about the World Championships. Yesterday it was Bob Bowman and today it is Sprinter Cesar CIelo. Read on…….. Who will it be tomorrow?
by DAVID RIEDER – SENIOR WRITER
19 July 2023, 06:35am
World Championships Preview — Men’s Sprint Freestyle: Can David Popovici Lower World Record Again?
For five years, the men’s sprint freestyle events were the domain of Caeleb Dressel. The American swept gold medals in the 50 and 100 free at the 2017 and 2019 World Championships and again at the 2021 Olympics, although world records narrowly eluded his grasp. His last two 100-meter wins were by tiny margins over Kyle Chalmers, the 2016 Olympic champion who developed a reputation as the best finisher in the world in these races.
But now, the best finishing speed, the world title and the world record all belong to David Popovici, who broke Cesar Cielo’s suit-aided world record in the 100 free last year after the 46.91 was untouched for 13 years. Popovici returns to the world level as the heavy favorite to defend his title. While Dressel will be absent from Fukuoka, the 18-year-old Popovici will get a push from 25-year-old Chalmers, still looking for the first individual long course world title of his impressive career.
Meanwhile, a host of new contenders have emerged in the splash-and-dash, with reigning world champion Ben Proud leading the way and 2012 Olympic gold medalist Florent Manaudou, now 32, still a threat.
Women’s Mid-Distance Freestyle
Men’s 50 FreestyleWR20.91Cesar Cielo FihloBRASao Paolo (BRA)Dec. 18, 2009CR21.04Caeleb DresselUSAGwangju (KOR)July 27, 2019WJR21.75Michael AndrewUSAIndianapolis (USA)Aug. 25, 2017=WJR21.75Michael AndrewUSAIndianapolis (USA)Aug. 26, 2017Men’s 100 FreestyleWR46.86David PopoviciROURome (ITA)Aug. 13, 2022CR46.91Cesar CieloBRARome (ITA)July 30, 2009WJR46.86David PopoviciROURome (ITA)Aug. 13, 2022
Contenders:
Jack Alexy (USA): Fresh off an impressive sophomore season at Cal, which included a second-place finish in the 100-yard free at the NCAA Championships, Alexy posted a huge performance at U.S. Nationals. He came out on top of an extremely tight 100 free final and placed second in the 50 free. He currently ranks fourth in the world in the 50 free (21.63) and seventh in the 100 free (47.75). Contending in: 50 free & 100 free
Lewis Burras (GBR): The British champion in both sprint events, Burras was seventh in the 50 and 100 free at last year’s Worlds, setting a national record of 47.63 in the semifinals. He also won 50 free silver at the Commonwealth Games. Contending in: 50 free & 100 free
Gui Caribe (BRA): This 20-year-old had a strong freshman year at Tennessee and is looking to translate his success into long course. His best times in the 50-meter pool are 21.87 (50 free) and 47.82 (100 free), making him a possible spoiler at Worlds. Contending in: 50 free & 100 free
Kyle Chalmers (AUS): Chalmers has been winning international medals in the 100 free since his teenage years, and he has sparkled over the last two years. After knocking off a 13-year-old short course world record in the fall of 2021, Chalmers won Commonwealth gold and a short course world title in 2022. His top time this year of 47.44 is less than four tenths off his best (47.08) and second globally. He will surely be ready to shine in the final in Fukuoka. Contending in: 100 free
Jordan Crooks (CAY): A huge wildcard here. Swimming for the University of Tennessee, Crooks was the NCAA champion in the 50-yard free as he became the second-fastest man ever behind Dressel. He was also the short course world champion in the 50 free last December. But Crooks has yet to show off that speed in long course. Contending in: 50 free
Maxime Grousset (FRA): This 24-year-old was the Worlds silver medalist in the 100 free last year and bronze medalist in the 50 free after winning a swim-off to secure his spot in the final of the splash-and-dash. Grousset currently ranks fourth in the world in the 100 free at 47.82, and he swam as fast as 21.78 in the 50 free in June. Contending in: 50 free & 100 free
Ryan Held (USA): A member of the gold-medal-winning 400 free relay team for the United States back in 2016, Held will race individually at a major international long course meet for the first time after winning the 50 free at U.S. Nationals in 21.50, the second-quickest time in the world this year. Held ranks fifth globally in the 100 free (47.63) but did not qualify to race the event in Fukuoka. Contending in: 50 free
Hwang Sunwoo (KOR): He’s better in the 200 free, where he won silver at last year’s Worlds, but the 20-year-old Korean was fourth in the 100 free in Rio and has a season-best time of 47.78. Contending in: 100 free
Josh Liendo (CAN): The 100 free bronze medalist at Worlds last year and Commonwealth Games bronze medalist in the 50 free. Liendo has a better world-title chance in butterfly, but he has quickly become one of the best sprint freestylers in the world as well. His season-best times are 21.80 and 47.86, but he shined collegiately for the University of Florida, becoming the second-fastest man ever in the 100-yard free (40.28). Contending in: 50 free & 100 free
Florent Manaudou (FRA): Eleven years after his stunning Olympic gold in London, Manaudou remains a force in the one-lap race following a pair of Olympic silvers and a swift 21.56 earlier this year, good for third in the world. Contending in: 50 free
Cameron McEvoy (AUS): When McEvoy last raced internationally, he placed 24th in the 100 free at the Tokyo Olympics and 29th in the 50 free. After a year away, the 29-year-old from Queensland has reinvented himself as a 50-meter specialist. He scorched a 21.27 at Australian Trials to become the fastest man in the world by more than two tenths and move into a tie for 11th all-time. Contending in: 50 free
Alessandro Miressi (ITA): Miressi has been the top Italian in the 100 free for several years, placing fifth in Tokyo and eighth last year in Budapest, a meet where he anchored the Italian men’s 400 medley relay to upset gold over the Americans. Contending in: 100 free
Pan Zhanle (CHN): After missing a medal in the World Championships final last year by eight hundredths, Pan broke out earlier this year with a 47.22 swim at Chinese Nationals, becoming the 11th-fastest man ever in the event and a real medal contender for Fukuoka. Contending in: 100 free
David Popovici (ROU): The world-record holder and big favorite for gold in the 100 free. Popovici surely will not be first at the halfway point, but he cannot be stopped on the home stretch. On the way to his 46.86 last year, Popovici closed in 24.12. Not even Chalmers can approach that speed on the second lap. Contending in: 100 free
Ben Proud (GBR): The 50 free defending champion as well as Commonwealth Games and European Championships winner last year. Proud’s best time is 21.11, fourth-best ever and well ahead of anyone else in the heat. The 50 free is a tight field where any mistake can determine a winner or an entire podium, but Proud’s experience makes him the slight favorite. Contending in: 50 free
Matt Richards (GBR): In a breakout performance at the British Championships earlier this year, Richards swam a 100 free time of 47.72, ranked sixth in the world entering Fukuoka. Contending in: 100 free
Flynn Southam (AUS): The only teenager among the threats in either sprint event, Southam finished only three tenths behind Chalmers at Australian Trials, closing in on the veteran at the end while swimming a time of 47.77, eighth-best in the world. Contending in: 100 free
Szebasztian Szabo (HUN): Szabo placed fourth in the 50 free at last year’s Worlds, his time of 21.60 only three hundredths away from the podium. Contending in: 50 free
Predictions:
Men’s 50 Freestyle
Gold: Ben Proud (GBR)Silver: Cameron McEvoy (AUS)Bronze: Florent Manaudou (FRA)
The 50 free is a crapshoot, as always, but Proud has done a nice job coming through in major races. Other than this trio, Held has the best chance of making a podium run.
Men’s 100 Freestyle
Gold: David Popovici (ROU)Silver: Kyle Chalmers (AUS)Bronze: Pan Zhanle (CHN)
Look for Liendo and Grousset to be really close to returning to the podium. Popovici finishes just off the world record but does go sub-47 again, finishing two tenths ahead of Chalmers.
OLYMPIC NEWS / PARIS 2024: IOC Declines to Extend Invitations to Paris Olympics to Russia, Belarus
by MATTHEW DE GEORGE – SENIOR WRITER
14 July 2023, 09:54am
IOC Declines to Extend Invitations to Paris Olympics to Russia, Belarus
The International Olympic Committee Thursday said it will not send formal invitations to the 2024 Olympics in Paris to Russia and Belarus.
The IOC traditionally sends formal invites to its more than 200 participating nations one year before the Games, both Summer and Winter, are scheduled to open. The move is largely ceremonial and does not prevent the governing body from having a change of heart over the next 365 days. But the decision indicates that Russia and Belarus may not follow the typical protocols that apply for the 203 other participating nations who receive invitations on July 26.
16.6K
Did you grow up wanting to be a mermaid Make your childhood dream a reality thanks to this course
“Despite offering a workable pathway forward with the IOC’s values-based recommendations, we are still confronted with two irreconcilable positions,” the IOC said in a statement. “The Russian side wants the IOC to ignore the war. The Ukrainian side wants the IOC to totally isolate anyone with a Russian and Belarusian passport. Both positions are diametrically opposed to the IOC’s mission and the Olympic Charter.
“The IOC navigates such an intractable situation through its values, which are its compass. This is why the IOC’s athlete-centred recommendations address its core values of peace, unity, solidarity and non-discrimination.”
Should Russian Athletes Be Allowed at the Paris Olympics?
Russia and Belarus have been largely excluded from the international sporting scene since the former launched an invasion of Ukraine in the early 2022, with significant material support from the latter. (The Belarussian national Olympic committee is headed by Viktor Lukashenko, son of authoritarian president Alexander Lukashenko, making any separation of political influence very difficult.)
The IOC recommended the exclusion in Feb. 2022 just after the initial invasion. While some sporting bodies have allowed those athletes to compete (though not in aquatics), particularly in individual sports, the IOC has not shown any signs of doing so. But it has also pushed back on its usual hobby horse of political interference, scolding even again Thursday Ukraine’s position of wanting a total ban against athletes from the belligerent nations. The IOC in March published recommendation for re-integration of athletes from those countries, but they were for other federations and event organizers. It remains to be seen if the IOC will follow those pathways.
“The IOC will take this decision at the appropriate time, at its full discretion, and without being bound by the results of previous Olympic qualification competitions,” it said in a statement.
The IOC is also declining to invite Guatemala, whose national Olympic committee has been indefinitely suspended over allegations of government interference.
WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP NEWS / FUKUOKA: ISHOF 2023 Honor Coach Bob Bowman and Carol Capitani Eager to Lead Team USA at World Championships
by John Lohn, Swimming World Editor
Bob Bowman and Carol Capitani Eager to Lead Team USA at World Championships
When the United States arrives in Fukuoka, Japan for the World Championships, July 18-25, Bob Bowman and Carol Capitani will be charged with guiding the Red, White and Blue to the top of the medals table. As the Team USA head coaches, they’ll oversee the American training camp, finalize relay selections and provide advice to the U.S. athletes.
Bowman, the head man at Arizona State University, is no stranger to this responsibility, as he has previously served as the United States’ head coach at the Olympic Games and World Champs and has been an assistant coach on numerous occasions. The head women’s coach at the University of Texas, Capitani, meanwhile, will guide Team USA at the World Champs for the first time, although she was an assistant last year, and was the U.S. women’s head coach at the 2017 World University Games.
Here are some thoughts from Bowman and Capitani on their head-coaching roles:
BOB BOWMAN
On serving as head coach:
Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick
“It’s a tremendous honor and a huge responsibility. You want to see the country do well. I want to provide the best leadership I can and do things right. It’s a chance to give back to the young kids because I was fortunate to have been given opportunities (through the years).”
On what he has learned through the years:
“I’ve had the chance to learn from some great coaches: (Dennis) Pursley, (Mark) Schubert, (Frank) Busch, (Eddie) Reese and (Jack) Bauerle. They are the best at bringing teams to their best. You learn so much about coaching and working together. You see so much you think about bringing (home). We might stick with what got us there, but you pick up a lot of little things. It’s a great experience.”
CAROL CAPITANI
On serving as head coach:
“It’s always an honor to represent Team USA at any international competition, so I’m happy to be of service and lead this women’s team the best I can. There have been some amazing performances this summer, and I can’t wait to see the competition in Indy (June 27-July 1) to make the team. I learned a lot in Budapest last year in the company of Todd (DeSorbo), Anthony (Nesty) and all the talented coaches on staff, and look forward to working together with this team. It’s going to be fun and fast.”
On her goals for the team in Fukuoka:
“The goal for any USA team in international competition is to win the medal count. The team crushed it last summer, and I don’t see our vision or expectations changing. We’d really like to put up some great relays on the road to Paris, and I think we have the pieces to do that.”