SW Biweekly February 7th, 2021 Issue by Swimming World Magazine

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SWIMMING WORLD BIWEEKLY | FEBRUARY 2021 | ISSUE 03 USA NEWS 008 USA OLYMPIC SWIMMING TRIALS TO BE SPLIT INTO TWO WAVES by Dan D’Addona Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, USA Swimming announced that the 2021 U.S. Olympic Swimming Trials will be split into two events: Wave I from June 4-7 and Wave II from June 13-20. According to USA Swimming CEO Mike Unger, the No. 1 priority “was to find a way to host Trials in the safest possible environment while also giving the athletes the best opportunity to succeed.” 010 HALI FLICKINGER AIMS FOR TOKYO ON HEELS OF DOMINANT, VERSATILE ISL SEASON by Dan D’Addona Hali Flickinger, 200 fly silver medalist at the 2019 World Championships, has qualified for the U.S. Olympic Swimming Trials in nine events! With a realistic shot of making finals in seven of the nine events, she now has to decide which events to swim. 012 MELANIE MARGALIS: READY FOR A BREAKTHROUGH by Andy Ross Melanie Margalis is an Olympic relay gold medalist and a three-time relay champion at Worlds, but a podium finish in an individual event has eluded her on the world’s biggest stage. After ranking No. 1 in the 400 IM and No. 3 in the shorter medley for 2020, her turn to win a medal for the United States could take place this year in Tokyo. 014 WHAT BOB BOWMAN SAID TO MICHAEL PHELPS AHEAD OF 2008 OLYMPIC FINAL IN 100 FLY by John Lohn In Michael Phelps’ march to eight gold medals at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, the closest nail-biting finish came in the 100 fly, which Phelps won by 1-hundredth of a second over Serbia’s Milorad Cavic. What Phelps’ coach Bob Bowman told his star swimmer before that race was definitely motivational. WORLD NEWS 016 IS 2:07 THE NEW STANDARD IN THE MEN’S 200 BREASTSTROKE? by Andy Ross Five men have now broken 2:07 in the 200 meter breaststroke, and all of them are still active and look to be gold-medal contenders in Tokyo...with a world record potentially required to stand atop the podium. The question has to be asked: How did the bar in the 200 breast get set so high? 018 AMAZON PRIME TO STREAM AUSTRALIAN OLYMPIC TRIALS by Ian Hanson In a first for swimming, USA-based streaming giant, Amazon Prime Video, will broadcast the 2021 Australian Olympic Swimming Trials live. 020 HOW TOKYO PLANS TO RUN A SAFE OLYMPIC GAMES by Liz Byrnes Olympic organizers insist the emphasis is on safety as they unveiled new guidelines for international federation and technical officials who are expected to attend Tokyo 2020. 021 TOKYO OLYMPIC OFFICIAL MESSAGE: “WE WILL HOLD THE GAMES” by Dan D’Addona No matter what the situation is with the coronavirus, officials for the 2021 Tokyo Olympics are maintaining that the Games will happen, despite what Japan’s Liberal Democratic Party believes. “We should pass on the discussion of whether we hold the Games or not, but instead discuss how we should hold it,” says Yoshiro Mori, president of the Tokyo Olympics Committee.

022 MATT BIONDI PUTTING INTERNATIONAL SWIMMERS’ ALLIANCE INTO ACTION by John Lohn American legend Matt Biondi was recently named the director of the International Swimmers’ Alliance, a swimmer-dedicated organization charged with providing greater opportunities for the athletes. 024 SARAH SJOSTROM TO UNDERGO SURGERY AFTER BREAKING ELBOW by Liz Byrnes Sarah Sjostrom’s preparations for Tokyo have been dealt a huge blow after the triple Olympic medalist revealed she will have surgery for a broken elbow after slipping on ice in Stockholm. Although devastated, Sjostrom is inspired by athletes who have returned stronger following serious injury.

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COLLEGE NEWS 026 EVEN IN “REALLY AMAZING” VICTORY, DARTMOUTH SWIMMING SEES WORK STILL TO DO by Andy Ross The five sports—including women’s swimming—that were eliminated last July at Dartmouth College were recently reinstated and will run through at least the 2024-25 academic year. But the reprieve isn’t permanent...and the new timeline will help the Save Dartmouth Swim Dive group figure out what needs to be done next. 028 ELLA RISTIC EAGER TO PICK UP COMPETITIVE PACE AS INDIANA FRESHMAN by Isabelle Odgers With no idea what to expect due to the uncertain climate the COVID-19 pandemic had created, freshman swimmer Ella Ristic from Southern California quickly found stability and comfort in her new team at Indiana University. 029 VIA FUND-RAISING GOALS, LA SALLE OFFERS “PATHWAY TO RESTORE” MEN’S SWIMMING by Matthew De George The La Salle men’s swimming and diving team, which was slated to be discontinued at the end of this academic year, has been granted a pathway to restore the program, according to a letter sent to alumni.

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WATER POLO NEWS 030 BILL SMITH ELECTED AS NEW BOARD CHAIR FOR USA WATER POLO by Michael Randazzo Bill Smith, currently the United States Aquatic Sports president—the liaison for USA aquatic sports to FINA—has been involved in water polo for more than 25 years as an athlete, coach, club director and USA Water Polo board member. Effective June 1, he will begin his new role as chairman of the USAWP board, taking over for outgoing chairman, Michael Graff. FEATURES & COMMENTARY

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032 IN YEAR SINCE KOBE BRYANT HELICOPTER CRASH, MATT MAUSER HAS TURNED TO POOL FOLLOWING DEATH OF WIFE by Matthew De George Jan. 26 marked one year since the tragic helicopter crash that claimed the life of NBA star, Kobe Bryant, his daughter, Gianna, and seven others, including Christina Mauser. This is the story of how Christina’s husband, Matt, has used swimming as an outlet in the wake of losing his wife. 036 HOW THEY TRAIN: ANDREW IVERSON by Michael J. Stott 037 PARTING SHOT

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INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENTS Americas: Matthew De George (USA) Africa: Chaker Belhadj (TUN) Australia: Wayne Goldsmith, Ian Hanson Europe: Norbert Agh (HUN), Liz Byrnes (GBR), Camillo Cametti (ITA), Oene Rusticus (NED), Rokur Jakupsstovu (FAR) Japan: Hideki Mochizuki Middle East: Baruch “Buky” Chass, Ph.D. (ISR) South Africa: Neville Smith (RSA) South America: Jorge Aguado (ARG)

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On the Cover: MELANIE MARGALIS Photo Courtesy: PETER H. BICK

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USA NEWS

USA OLYMPIC SWIMMING TRIALS TO BE SPLIT INTO TWO WAVES BY DAN D'ADDONA

he 2021 U.S. Olympic Swimming Trials are going to look a bit different due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

USA Swimming is set to announce the meet will split into two events, splitting up the qualifiers into two tiers to keep less people at the venue at once because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Wall Street Journal first reported and USA Swimming confirmed. USA Swimming, in partnership with the US Olympic & Paralympic Committee and the Omaha Sports Commission, announced a revised plan and schedule. The meet will be split into two “Waves” with Wave I from June 4-7 and Wave II from June 13-20, the same original dates of the meet, instead of having 1,700 swimmers in one place. Wave I will take place during the originally planned test event, the meet that is used to get the host’s feet wet in terms of hosting a swim meet. Wave II will be the sole qualifier for the Olympic Team with time standards for that meet effective January 28 and will close off qualifying May 30. According to USA Swimming, athletes that have already achieved the Wave II time standards will not need to re-qualify between now and May 30. USA Swimming will adjust the Wave II standard to meet the current 41st seeded time. As of January 20, 2021, 1305 athletes have qualified for US Olympic Swimming Trials.

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Both meets will still occur at the CHI Health Center Arena in Omaha, Nebraska. “We figured this was the best option, and that it still allowed all athletes to have a crack at the Olympic Trials, which for many athletes is the pinnacle of their careers,” USA Swimming CEO Mike Unger said. “Our number one priority was to find a way to host Trials in the safest possible environment while also giving the athletes the best opportunity to succeed. While selecting the Olympic Team for Tokyo is a critical goal for the Trials, it is important to note that the experience gained at Trials by some of the lower seeded athletes has historically provided a great experience for future Olympic Trials (and Games), which fueled our desire to host two events.” There is still no word on how many fans will be able to attend the US Olympic Swimming Trials, as the CHI Health Center seats up to 17,000 people. Wave I Event Schedule: June 4: 100 freestyle 100 backstroke 200 butterfly 800 freestyle June 5: 200 freestyle 100 breaststroke 400 IM June 6: 400 freestyle 100 butterfly 200 backstroke June 7: 200 IM 50 freestyle 200 breaststroke 1500 freestyle Wave II Event Schedule June 13 Men’s 400 IM Women’s 100 Fly Semis Men’s 400 Free Women’s 400 IM Men’s 100 Breast Semis June 14 Women’s 100 Fly Men’s 200 Free Semis

Women’s 100 Breast Semis Men’s 100 Breast Women’s 400 Free Men’s 100 Back Semis Women’s 100 Back Semis June 15 Women’s 200 Free Semis Men’s 200 Free Women’s 100 Back Men’s 100 Back Women’s 100 Breast Men’s 200 Fly Semis Women’s 200 IM Semis June 16 Men’s 100 Free Semis Women’s 200 Free Men’s 200 Fly Women’s 200 Fly Men’s 200 Breast Semis Women’s 200 IM Women’s 1500 Free June 17 Men’s 800 Free Men’s 200 Breast Women’s 100 Free Semis Men’s 200 Back Semis Women’s 200 Fly Men’s 100 Free Women’s 200 Breast Semis Men’s 200 IM Semis June 18 Women’s 200 Breast Men’s 200 Back Women’s 200 Back Semis Men’s 200 IM Women’s 100 Free Men’s 100 Fly Semis June 19 Men’s 100 Fly Women’s 200 Back Women’s 800 Free Men’s 50 Free Semis Women’s 50 Free Semis June 20 Men’s 50 Free Women’s 50 Free Men’s 1500 Free ◄ BIWEEKLY

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[ PHOTO COURTESY MINE KASPOGLU / ISL ]

HALI FLICKINGER AIMS FOR TOKYO ON HEELS OF DOMINANT, VERSATILE ISL SEASON BY DAN D'ADDONA

ali Flickinger has been one of the fastest butterflyers in the world for years.

She has been so good that it is easy to overlook that she is pretty fast in the other strokes as well. Flickinger has qualified for the U.S. Olympic Swimming Trials in nine events — both butterflys, both backstrokes, both IMs and the 200-400-800 freestyles.

an IM set. “It helps with versatility and helps with my main stroke as well because I am giving an honest effort, even if I don’t want to. “I take a lot of pride in that.”

Not only has she qualified, but outside the 200 butterfly, an event that saw Flickinger win the silver medal at the 2019 World Championships, she isn’t sure what she is going to swim. That is because she has a good shot of making the finals in perhaps seven of the nine events.

Flickinger’s versatility was on full display during the International Swimming League (ISL) season. With the entire season in a bubble in Budapest, and condensed to six weeks of competition, there were a lot of races, especially for someone like Flickinger, who swam nearly every event in the lineup at one point or another for the Cali Condors, helping the team win the championship.

“I do everything the best I can. I try to work hard in everything I do and that really helped me become as versatile as I am,” Hali Flickinger told Swimming World. “I don’t look at a fly set different than a backstroke set. I don’t really like swimming IM, but I will give the same effort in

“I enjoyed the ISL so much. I was nervous to go because of everything going on and my training had been so up and down,” Flickinger said. “The six weeks went by so fast because it was so much fun. We got to spend so much time with each other. We made so many cool memories. I am

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really thankful that I went.” And the Condors are thankful they had Flickinger on their side. Flickinger finished 11th overall in the season MVP point standings out of more than 300 swimmers. She was the sixth-highest point scorer on the women’s side. “I was having so much fun that I wasn’t even thinking about what I was doing and how many events I was doing. If I stopped to think about it that way, maybe I would have been, ‘holy crap, this is ridiculous,’” she said. “But I was having so much fun and I wanted to do what I could. My events are the harder ones — the longer ones. It was my chance to step up for the team.” Part of the reason Hali Flickinger could just sit back and race, not worrying about the outcomes is because no matter what happened, there was another race looming just minutes later. The other part is that she and her coach, Bob Bowman, had a strong plan going into the bubble. “Bob had a plan. We talked quite a bit and we had a plan going in. The training that I did helped me through the ISL to continue to step up and be strong,” Flickinger said. “We went into the ISL with the mindset that this was a training opportunity. I was doing really hard practices and that allowed me to have all of that under my belt so I could keep going rather than getting weaker. I made sure I stayed on weights the whole time. I was able to handle them like they were training meets.”

After moving to Arizona to train with Bowman, Flickinger said she has learned more than she ever thought she could. “Bob sees things that I don’t necessarily see. I am really hard on myself, but he is able to take all of the positives and put me back to reality when I need it,” Flickinger said. “He really balances out my weaknesses, especially when it comes to not seeing progress as fast as I would like. I tend to jump to the future and freak out. It is really nice to have his perspective and bring me down to chill mode. He knows the butterfly better than anybody. I get critiqued on my stroke constantly. He still can find what can be better even with good strokes. “I still pinch myself that I am able to train with him.” Outside the water, having that confidence in herself and her coach has helped her prepare. “I just have to keep putting in the work. My confidence comes from everything I do day in and day out,” she said. “There have been so many times I have told Bob what I want to do. He has helped me get those best chances at what I want to do. Last year, I only really got five months with Bob. We are jumping back to where we were and sticking with the plan. I worry a lot, so I trust him to get us where we want to be. Obviously what Bob is doing is working.” That gives Hali Flickinger a boost of confidence heading into an Olympic year, where her biggest goals await. ◄

Flickinger, like most swimmers, was not sure how fast she would be after the COVID-19 pandemic took over 2020, keeping many swimmers out of the water for months. “(The ISL season) really gave me that boost of energy, why I love swimming so much. COVID-19 has been hard, especially with pool time. The ISL gave me that mental boost because mentally the pandemic has been hard,” she said. “We all went to Budapest not knowing where we were. I saw some things I did really well and saw some things I needed to work on. I learned so much.” BIWEEKLY

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[ PHOTO COURTESY PETER H. BICK ]

MELANIE MARGALIS: READY FOR A BREAKTHROUGH BY ANDY ROSS

Melanie Margalis is an Olympic relay gold medalist and a three-time relay champion at Worlds, but a podium finish in an individual event has eluded her on the world’s biggest stage. She finished fourth in the 200 IM at the last two World Championships and the 2016 Olympics, but after ranking No. 1 in the 400 IM and No. 3 in the shorter medley for 2020, her turn to win a medal for the United States could take place this year in Tokyo.

fter establishing herself as one of the top IM’ers in the United States as an undergrad at the University of Georgia in 2014, Melanie Margalis had full focus on the 200 IM heading into the 2016 U.S. Olympic Trials. With Maya DiRado and Elizabeth Beisel leading the charge in the longer distance, Margalis had become one of the top 200 IM’ers in the world, finishing seventh at the 2015 Worlds and fourth at the 2016 Olympics. After Rio 2016, Olympic gold medalist DiRado (200 back, 800 free relay) retired after earning silver in the 400 IM and bronze in the 200. The other Olympic finalist, Elizabeth Beisel, was on a farewell tour in 2017. At the World Championships in Budapest that year, Leah Smith made her 400 IM debut for the U.S. with a sixth-place finish while Beisel closed out her career in seventh. Margalis was at that meet, capturing gold in the 800 free relay and placing fourth in the 200 IM. But part of her knew that she could have been a factor in that 400 IM race had

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she trained for it. “After the 400 IM, Coach (Gregg) Troy pulled me aside and told me, ‘You need to start doing the 400 IM. You need to start swimming it.’ Jack (Bauerle) was telling me all along that I should be doing it, but when Troy added that seed into my brain, I was like, ‘OK, maybe I can give it a shot.’” LONG AND COMPLICATED HISTORY Margalis, who turned 29 on Dec. 30, has had a long and complicated history with the 400 IM, widely regarded as one of the most difficult events in swimming. She had made two NCAA A-finals in the event, finishing as high as third as a senior in 2014. Later that summer, she was third at U.S. Nationals, and had swum it periodically over the next two years, but hadn’t been up to speed with DiRado and Beisel, and elected not to swim the race at the 2016 Trials. By 2018, Margalis was reluctantly training longer IM sets with Bauerle at Georgia and was consistently swimming under 4:40. By the end of that summer, she swam 4:35.50, ranking her eighth in the world. Flash forward to 2020, and she had jumped to No. 1 in the world. “There was so much work mentally to be done,” Margalis said of the longer race. “I knew in my head that the 400 IM would be my best event, but I couldn’t get there mentally, and it would just tear me apart. It was almost to the point

where it wasn’t healthy for my mindset at meets for me to do it because it would just explode my mind. I really had to do work in seeing it as a positive. “There’s also been so many girls who have stepped up in the U.S. in the 200 IM, and I felt that if I can have another shot to put myself on the team (by swimming both events), then I should take it. But it took a lot of work to get past my mental block with how hard that race is.” In 2019, four American women were ranked among the top 10 in the world in the 400 IM. Margalis finished the year at 11th, but three months into 2020—two weeks before the Olympics had been postponed—she swam a 4:32.53 at the TYR Pro Series stop in Des Moines, Iowa. She led the world rankings by three-and-a-half seconds! “I told myself all day that I needed to stop ‘being a baby,’ so that was pretty much my race plan,” Margalis said in her TV interview after the race. “At that meet, I was like, ‘We are going to go for it.’ “I just needed to go out there and push the front half. I was telling myself, ‘Don’t just swim an easy 100 backstroke in the middle—like actually put some effort into it.’ That was me not being a baby—actually doing the first half of the race. “The 400 IM is probably the biggest reason I was the most sad about the Olympics being postponed because I just had that swim (in Des Moines). I was like, ‘OK, this is perfect timing. I won’t have to do another 400 IM before Trials, and I’ll go into the meet with a really good mindset.’” INSPIRATION FROM U.S. PEERS...AND KATINKA HOSSZU Margalis draws a lot of inspiration from her American peers in the IM events, with names such as Emma Weyant, Brook Forde, Ella Eastin, Madisyn Cox and Ally McHugh all pushing her to be better. But one of her biggest inspirations comes from a rival that she has watched smash seemingly unbeatable world records during her career.

would think that it’s not just me that feels so driven by her successes.” SETTING HER SIGHTS ON 2021 During the pandemic, Margalis had been training with her club team, St. Petersburg Aquatics (Fla.), and longtime coach Fred Lewis. While there this past summer, she picked up little tidbits from Lewis that she took with her to the International Swimming League season in Budapest, Hungary. “He gave me a lot of little things that I could add in my swimming, and I think that was really helpful. He made me work my underwaters more, and that helped me in the 400 free. Last year when I was swimming the 400 free in the ISL, I could not do kicks off the walls. I was just doing whatever I could to keep swimming. And this year, I was able to take two dolphin kicks off each wall in the 400 free without really having much issue about it.” After only three meets in the league with the eventual team champs, the Cali Condors, Margalis had the topranked time in the 200 and 400 IM (SCM) as well as the 400 free. But with lingering concerns over her training and her health, Margalis returned home to the United States before the end of the regular season. “Jack (Bauerle) felt it would be better for me to come home and train for next summer. (Besides training for the 400 IM), I had been having some health issues on and off, and Jack wanted to keep an eye on me. He felt me being away the whole season would be a long time. After the third meet, it became apparent it was time for me to go home and get myself straightened out to go into 2021.” *** Now Margalis heads into another Olympic year in 2021, where she is hoping to qualify for her second team. In the 200 IM, she has been fourth place at the last two Worlds and the 2016 Olympics, and she would want nothing more than to break through and reach the podium.

“The person who helps me the most in swimming is Katinka (Hosszu of Hungary)—just because of all the incredible things she has done,” Margalis said. “I feel that any time she is in the pool, it makes me want to be the best swimmer I can be just because of how good she is and how much she has done for IM events over the last five years.

“I’ve been stuck at No. 4 for a while. At 2019 Worlds, (Kathleen) Baker said something to me, joking about how many fourth places I had gotten and how the next time I would be due for a podium spot. In the 200 IM, I haven’t reached my potential yet.

“Every time she has been in major competitions since 2013, she has set the standard so high in IM...and you’ve got to love that! A 2:06.12 200 IM (2015 Worlds) is insane, and her 400 IM (4:26.36, 2016 Olympics) is also very, very insane. I

“I’m still trying to figure out how to get there. I think it has a lot to do with the first 50—and once I can figure that out, I will hopefully earn a medal for the U.S. That would be pretty cool to finally do.” ◄ BIWEEKLY

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> BOB BOWMAN (LEFT) & MICHAEL PHELPS

WHAT BOB BOWMAN SAID TO MICHAEL PHELPS AHEAD OF 2008 OLYMPIC FINAL IN 100 FLY BY JOHN LOHN

s we count down the days to the Olympic Games this summer in Tokyo, there are ample opportunities to relive some of the greatest moments in Olympic lore. It could be Fanny Durack becoming the first female champion. It could be Johnny Weissmuller going back-to-back in the 100 freestyle. It could be Mark Spitz winning seven gold medals in 1972. It could be Katie Ledecky and her breakout showing in the 800 freestyle at the 2012 Games in London. Of course, we also easily recall the Great Eight, otherwise known as Michael Phelps‘ march to eight gold medals at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing. As part of that week in the Water Cube, Phelps mixed dominant performances with nail-biting finishes, none more prominent than the victory he claimed over Serbia’s Milorad Cavic in the 100-meter butterfly. In that event, which was Phelps’ seventh of the competition, the American prevailed by .01, using a lastsecond half-stroke to edge Cavic. While a guest on the Inside with Brett Hawke Podcast, Phelps’ coach, Bob Bowman, vividly discussed the race, including what he said to his pupil in the leadup to that final. Bowman noted that he rarely spoke to Phelps – or any of his athletes – before races, but instead used the months and days ahead of action to prepare him to achieve what was necessary. “During Beijing, Michael and I had breakfast together every morning. It was just kind of the thing,” Bowman said. “We

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would do that, go to the venue and that would be it. So we’re sitting at breakfast before the 100 fly final and I didn’t want to do it, but I was like, you know what, this is going to be so close and I have to use everything I’ve got. I said, ‘You know what I read in the paper today?’ And he was like, ‘What?’ I was like, ‘Cavic said it would be good for swimming if you did not win eight golds and he was the guy to do it. That’s literally what he said.’ And Michael physically got bigger and said, ‘He said what?’ I’ll never forget that. It was like he grew two inches. I was like, ‘Well, that’s what he said.’ And we didn’t even really talk about it. That’s all I needed to do. I was like, ‘OK, I’ve done all I can do now.’ He was ready at that point.” During the race, Cavic opened a significant lead over Phelps on the opening lap, and maintained a sizable advantage down the second lap. And while Phelps was closing over the closing 50 meters, there was considerable concern whether Phelps had the room to overtake his foe. Ultimately, he used every bit of the 100 meters to get the job done, and to keep intact his chase for history. The full interview between Hawke and Bowman took place in October. Hawke’s podcast is celebrating its one-year anniversary and has been highly successful while featuring interviews with more than 100 of the top names in the sport. ◄

SWIM CAMPS E X P E R I E N C E T H E E XC E L L E N C E

Elite Camp I

Elite Camp II

June 6–13

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For experienced competitive swimmers Camp sessions will focus on elite training in a team environment that includes technical teaching Dryland sessions focus on swimming specific strength and conditioning

Olympic Camp June 23–July 3

Coaches and athletes will focus on the training, teaching and competitive aspects that make up competing at the Olympic level with viewing and updates from the US Olympic Trials as they happen. Dryland sessions will focus on swimming specific strength and conditioning. Campers will compete at the Bolles Classic Swim Meet (entry Fees/USA Swimming Registration included)

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Speed Camp July 5– 11

Swimmers will explore the technical and physiological aspects of swimming faster Individual technical instruction and video sessions will be included for each camper and practices will feature measurable and specific sets to focus on speeds for events ranging from 50 to 800 meters Dryland sessions will focus on plyometric and power movements

Learn from Bolles coaches with Olympic swimming and coaching experience. Live, eat, train and learn on the beautiful Bolles riverfront campus with swimmers from around the world. Classroom sessions, Dryland training and FUN Camp activities/ outings are all included. Transportation shuttles to/from the Jacksonville International airport are included on check-in and check-out days.

Due to COVID-19 there is a limited number of dorm rooms available. If you and/or your family are interested in staying in a nearby hotel, we can direct you to one offering a discounted price.

Registrations will open online in December.

Be assured COVID-19 procedures are in place to mitigate risks and keep campers as safe and healthy as possible. Combination options are available for all camps listed. Camps listed are overnight camps. Camps are for athletes 13 years and older. Must be 13 on or before final day of camp.

For information contact: Jeff Pishko, Senior Assistant Coach (904) 256-5215 | PishkoJ@Bolles.org

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[ PHOTO COURTESY PETER H. BICK ]

WORLD NEWS

> ANTON CHUPKOV

IS 2:07 THE NEW STANDARD IN THE MEN’S 200 BREASTSTROKE? BY ANDY ROSS

ecently Shoma Sato, Japan’s 19-year-old breaststroke prodigy, broke 2:07 in the 200 breaststroke to sit fourth all-time. The question has to be asked: How did the bar in the 200 breaststroke get set so high? Of the five men that have broken 2:07, all five are still active and all look to be gold-medal contenders in Tokyo with a world record potentially required to stand atop the podium. All-Time Rankings: 2:06.12, Anton Chupkov, RUS, 2019 2:06.67, Ippei Watanabe, JPN, 2017 2:06.67, Matthew Wilson, AUS, 2019 2:06.83, Shoma Sato, JPN, 2021 2:06.85, Arno Kamminga, NED, 2020 Flash back to 10 and a half years ago in 2010, a year removed from the shinysuit era of 2009 where swimsuit companies made a mockery of the record books by welding together polyurethane suits that were swifter than any suit before them. Japan’s Kosuke Kitajima led the world rankings with a 2:08.36, followed by Hungary’s Daniel Gyurta (2:08.95) and Australia’s Brenton Rickard (2:09.31). Flash forward two years and Gyurta was standing on the top of the Olympic podium with a 2:07.28 that had broken the world record from 2009 of 2:07.31. He was followed by Britain’s Michael Jamieson (2:07.43), who had been right on the old world record and Japan’s Ryo Tateishi (2:08.29). Seven years after that, and a 2:07.2 was not even on the podium at the 2019 World Championships, where all three medalists were under 2:07 with Anton Chupkov breaking the world record with a 2:06.12. Following him was Australia’s Matthew Wilson in an impressive 2:06.68, right off his own world record the night before, and Japan’s Ippei Watanabe in a 2:06.73, the former world record holder and first man to break 2:07.

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It took a 2:08.28 just to make the final in 2019, which led the world rankings in 2010 and was the fastest eighth place time every year this decade except for 2016 in Rio when it took a 2:08.20 to make the final. How did the bar get raised so high? You have to analyze how differently Kitajima and Chupkov attack their races. Kitajima takes it out more aggressively on the front half and increases his tempo on the final 50, while Chupkov likes to stay long and strong on the first 150 and increases his tempo on the last length to almost a 100 tempo. Using just a stopwatch, Kitajima’s tempo on the second and third 50 is around a 1.5/1.6 seconds per stroke, and he increases it to around a 1.4 rate on the last 50. Compare that to Chupkov, who lengthens his stroke to a 2.0 rate on the first 150, before switching to a 1.4 on the last 50 and eventually to a 1.1 rate in the last few strokes without slipping on the water. Chupkov has a breaststroke unlike anyone in this generation. His ability to hold the water and keep his line is textbook breaststroke. Most swimmers have difficulty in holding their speed when stretching to a 2.0 rate, and most struggle with holding water when using a 1.1 rate, but Chupkov can switch to both with relative ease. When asked how he can swim so effortlessly in breaststroke but still remain fast, Chupkov said after his world record at the 2019 Worlds: “I can’t explain how I swim. It seems to me that I’m not doing something special, even in training and in competition as well. I just swim like I feel and actually I can’t explain it. Probably I was born into breaststroke.” How Breaststroke Has Evolved The 200 breaststroke has become such a leg-driven event the last ten years. When Kevin Cordes swam a 1:48 in the 200-yard breast at the 2013 NCAAs, the big thing a lot of people took away from that race was how few strokes he had taken the entire race. Swimming junkies were fascinated at how effortless the swim looked and that quickly became the new way to swim the 200 breast: swimming fast with the least amount of strokes. Flash forward four years to the 2017 NCAAs, and nearly every single swimmer in the men’s A-Final had surfaced after 15 on their pullout, compared to 2013 when Cordes was the only one. Coaches over the last few years have trained their breaststrokers to get the most out of their kick, while still

swimming efficiently – utilizing the least amount of strokes in a 200 breaststroke. And the time improvements have shown. In long course, 2:07 is the new standard to hit for men if you want to be considered world class. With Shoma Sato’s recent 2:06.8, it just proves that the bar has been raised. It may take under 2:08 to make the final in Tokyo, which not long ago would be on the podium. Now a 2:06 is required to be on the podium, and a 2:05 is within reach. The way the race is swam and how it has developed into more of a leg-drive event with more glide, has become the new normal in how to train for the 200 breast. Chupkov’s ability to stay long and strong has caught the attention of the rest of the world, and his 2:06s have set the bar for others to follow. It is similar to how Adam Peaty’s 56 has caused others to believe that it is possible. When a new world standard has been reached, it inspires others to do the same, and breaststroke has reaped the benefits of this. The stroke has become so athletic just in the last 15 years from when dolphin kicks were permitted on pullouts in 2005, and the times have dropped. 15 years ago, the world records in long course for men were 59.30 and 2:09.04, compared to 56.88 and 2:06.12 today, while on the women’s side they were at 1:06.20 and 2:21.72, compared to 1:04.13 and 2:19.11 today. In 2005, dolphin kicks were permitted on pullouts, thus allowing breaststrokers to become better dolphin kickers with stronger cores. And the stronger core helped them hold their line while gliding, and therefore they needed to emphasize their kick in order to get max propulsion. All of those factors have led to where breaststroke is today: where a 2:07 is the new normal for men. Hall of fame breaststroke coach Jozsef Nagy, who led József Szabó to Olympic gold in the 200 breaststroke in 1988 as well as Mike Barrowman to gold in the same event in 1992, wrote this about the future of breaststroke: Arms, shoulders, and in general, the upper body, will have to be a lot stronger than it is now for a breaststroker. Also with all these physical characteristics/advantages, they should aim to have a better feel for the water within the various aspects of their pulls. In order to progress, they will have to do a stronger, faster, and more efficient pull. The original, good-old breaststroke kick does not offer much room for progress. Whereas the breaststroke pull still has a huge potential! Especially if the swimmers will now be able increase the frequency of their stroke rate. However, this increased frequency cannot be supported with the present kind of breaststroke kick. As I mentioned before, a smaller, faster kick will be necessary to support the more powerful and increased pull frequency. ◄ BIWEEKLY

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[ PHOTO COURTESY DELLY CARR / SWIMMING AUSTRALIA ]

AMAZON PRIME TO STREAM AUSTRALIAN OLYMPIC TRIALS BY IAN HANSON

In a first for swimming, USA-based streaming giant, Amazon Prime Video will broadcast the 2021 Australian Olympic Swimming Trials live from Adelaide in June in the countdown to the Tokyo Games. Amazon Prime Video and Swimming Australia has unveiled details of an exclusive, two-year live broadcast streaming deal with its camera crews already on site Down Under as Australia’s best swimmers re-unite on the Gold Coast. The partnership coincides with over 60 of the Australian Dolphins arriving for a week long National Event Camp at the Gold Coast Aquatic Centre, Bond University and Palm Beach Aquatic Centre and also the long-awaited details emerging out of Tokyo of the IOC and Tokyo 2021 Playbook for this year’s Games. And in a sporting trend, Swimming Australia’s announcement comes hot on the heels of Rugby Australia revealing its partnership with Stan Sport to broadcast the Wallabies Rugby Union matches. The Swimming Australia deal will see a global distribution of the Australian Swimming Championship events on Prime Video at no additional cost to Prime members. The Australian Swimming Championships has appeared on every free-to-air network in Australia from its earliest appearances on the ABC to the Nine, Seven and Ten 18

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Networks as well as Fox Sports. Now the Dolphins, one of the world’s most famous swimming teams and pooldeck brand, will attract a global television streaming audience. Live streaming highlights will include the 2021 Australian Swimming Trials in the lead up to the 2021 Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics, and the qualifying events for the 2022 FINA World Swimming Championships and the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games. Australia is renowned for producing world-class competitive swimmers, and swimming is one of the country’s most popular sports. This partnership will ensure that Australians and a global audience won’t miss any of the action as Australia’s elite swimmers compete in qualifying for the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Tokyo later this year, and other global sporting events in 2022. Swimming Australia President and two-time Olympic 1500m freestyle champion Kieren Perkins knows how important live television is to Australia’s premier Olympic sport. Perkins career coincided with the sport taking off in the 1990s – en-route to the Sydney 2000 Olympics.

It was an era in Australian sport where in 1996 Perkins, Daniel Kowalski and Glen Housman became household names with the 1500m freestyle at the Olympic Trials in Sydney, televised live in prime time on a Saturday night – the event reaching the highest ratings of any show on Australian television that week. Perkins went on to win his second Olympic gold in Atlanta in a swim for the ages from lane eight – another massive ratings winner for Channel Seven in what remains one of the greatest victories in Australian Olympic history. Perkins, who will address the Australian media with Olympic gold medallist Bronte Campbell on the Gold Coast (at 2pm Australian Eastern Time) later today said: “To be able to partner our sport with one of the biggest streaming services in the world provides us with fantastic opportunities to deliver premium live swimming content to Australians and a global Prime Video audience. “Swimming is ingrained in our culture, and we know that millions of fans support the Australian Dolphins Swim Team when they compete. “Also, our current generation of swimmers, including those who have an eye on competing in Paris 2024 and beyond, will love being able to live stream the sport wherever they are.” It will take the sport of swimming and the Dolphins stars – led by Olympic champions Kyle Chalmers and Mack Horton and current world champion Ariarne Titmus – to greater heights. And it will be a huge boost to the profiles of these athletes who missed the boat in 2019 when for for the first time in recent memory the Fina World Championships were not televised live on Australian television sets – with the Australians producing dominant performances through rising star Titmus and outstanding victories in four Olympic relay events. The rivalries between Australia and the USA in the 1990s and 2000s that lifted the status of swimming between the two countries with a series of Duel In The Pool events – is set to take off again. The expected showdowns between Titmus and the USA’s greatest ever freestyler in Katie Ledecky; Chalmers and American super swimmer Caeleb Dressel and the building head-to-head clashes between world beating backstroke kids Aussie pair Kaylee McKeown, Minna Atherton and US super-teen Regan Smith will have the Prime Video producers eager to re-invent the Duel In The Pool concept.

“This is a great result for our community, including swimmers, clubs, State associations and fans,” added Mitch Larkin from the Australian Dolphins. “Having our events streamed live on Amazon Prime Video will inspire the next generation of athletes who will be able to watch the best swimmers in the country compete.” And it’s the fans that the Amazon team want on board. Marie Donoghue, Vice President of Global Sports Video at Amazon made it clear when she said: “We know live sport attracts passionate fan bases from around the world, many of whom are already Prime members. “And we are focused on giving our customers access to the best selection of content possible, including the ability to watch live sport when and how they want to watch it. “Streaming the upcoming Swimming Australia championship events on Prime Video is a great step toward achieving that global vision, and offers tremendous new value for Prime members in Australia and beyond.” Hushidar Kharas, Head of Prime Video Australia said: “We’re excited to partner with Swimming Australia to bring live swimming events to Australian and global fans exclusively on Amazon Prime Video at no extra cost to Prime members.“Sport is an intrinsic part of Australian’s lives, and Amazon Prime Video has already established itself as the home of captivating Australian sports docuseries including The Test and the upcoming AFL docuseries Making Their Mark. “The launch of live sports streaming on Prime Video in Australia is a natural progression for us, and we are proud to be partnering with Swimming Australia to bring the iconic and beloved sport to Prime Video customers.” The first event available to stream on Amazon Prime Video will be the Australian Swimming Trials in Adelaide between 12-17 June. Key events in the swimming event calendar before this will be available to stream on Swimming Australia’s digital platform SwimTV, and will be announced at a later date. ABOUT Amazon Prime Video: Or simply Prime Video, is an American subscription video on-demand over-the-top streaming and rental service of Amazon.com, Inc., offered as a standalone service or as part of Amazon’s Prime subscription. ◄ BIWEEKLY

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•

Delegations and staff will be required to appoint a COVID-19 liaison officer

[ PHOTO COURTESY TOKYO 2020 ]

Olympic chiefs have already said athletes will have their stay in the Athletes’ Village limited to a few days and once they have completed their events they will be expected to leave Japan immediately. There are detailed requirements regarding testing.

HOW TOKYO PLANS TO RUN A SAFE OLYMPIC GAMES

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Officials are asked to monitor their health for the 14 days preceding departure for Japan

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Fill out an activity plan detailing their first 14 days

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Be tested for covid 72 hours before departure and then on arrival followed by regular testing thereafter with athletes to be tested every four days

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Attendees must install Japan’s COCOA and health reporting phone app for test, trace and isolate purposes

BY LIZ BYRNES

lympic organizers insist the emphasis is on safety as they unveiled new guidelines for international federation and technical officials who are expected to attend Tokyo 2020. The Olympics are scheduled to run from July 23-Aug. 8 with the Paralympics following from Aug. 24-Sept. 5. However, speculation has been ever mounting over recent weeks with the rise in coronavirus cases across the world although Yoshiro Mori – president of the Tokyo organizing committee – was adamant on Tuesday that the Games will go ahead. The Tokyo Olympic organizing committee, the International Olympic Committee and the International Paralympic Committee on Wednesday unveiled a playbook for detailing COVID-19 measures that will be implemented come July. This includes: •

To not use public transport without permission

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Requesting athletes and officials to wear face masks at “all times” indoors, except when eating or sleeping

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Avoid physical contact

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Keep two metres distance from athletes and at least one metre from others

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Officials to be banned from visiting tourist areas, bars, restaurants and shops

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Asking spectators not to sing or chant but to clap

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However, it was once more reiterated that vaccination was not mandatory in order to be present at the Games. Athletes are expected to be given extra details when their specific Playbook is published in the next couple of weeks, as well as restrictions on socialising outside the Village, and their movement between official Games venues. The IOC’s executive director Christophe Dubi said: “The health and safety of everyone at the Olympic and Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020 are our top priority. “We each have our part to play. That’s why these Playbooks have been created – with the rules that will make each and every one of us a sound, safe and active contributor to the Games. “We know these Olympic Games will be different in a number of ways. For all Games participants, there will be some conditions and constraints that will require flexibility and understanding. “By committing to following the Playbooks we will be stronger together. In return, the Olympic and Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020 will be remembered as a historic moment for humanity, the Olympic Movement and all those contributing to their success.” ◄

[ PHOTO COURTESY TOKYO 2020 ]

TOKYO OLYMPICS OFFICIAL MESSAGE: "WE WILL HOLD THE GAMES" BY DAN D'ADDONA

fficials for the 2021 Tokyo Olympics are maintaining that the Games will happen, despite what Japan’s Liberal Democratic Party believes. “No matter what situation would be with the coronavirus, we will hold the Games,” former prime minister and president of the Tokyo Olympics committee Yoshiro Mori told the Associated Press. “We should pass on the discussion of whether we will hold the Games or not, but instead discuss how we should hold it.” Mori has been positive on the games and been very vocal about it, backed by International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach even as reports have continued to speculate that the Olympics might be canceled.

Olympics in 172 days, confirmed 393 COVID-19 cases on February 1, down from 633 the day before, but the totals from January still double December’s totals. Government officials have told Japanese news agency Kyodo News that Tokyo is highly likely to stay under the state of emergency. For context, Japan as a nation reported 1,790 confirmed COVID-19 cases yesterday, compared to 5,730 in the U.S. state of Florida, which has offered to take the Olympics off of Japan’s hands. The restrictions in place require a citywide curfew is in place until 8 p.m., meaning all restaurants and pubs will close at that time, and will receive a fine if they disobey these restrictions. ◄

The IOC has maintained the Tokyo Olympics will open on July 23 with 11,000 athletes and tens of thousands of judges, officials, media, broadcasters, sponsors and VIPs. The Paralympics follow on Aug. 24 with 4,400 athletes. The only question has been whether fans will be in attendance, which is going to be made at a later date. A decision about fans at venues is to be made in the spring, but it seems likely that fans from abroad will be excluded. Tokyo, the host of this summer’s BIWEEKLY

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[ PHOTO COURTESY ISHOF ]

MATT BIONDI PUTTING INTERNATIONAL SWIMMERS’ ALLIANCE INTO ACTION BY JOHN LOHN

t was late November 2019 when Matt Biondi, American legend of the pool, appeared at the International Swimming League’s European Derby in London. The 11time Olympic medalist attended the meet in a business role, using the weekend to commiserate with some of the world’s elite performers. He had just been named the Director of the International Swimmers’ Alliance, a swimmer-dedicated organization charged with providing greater opportunities for those who make the sport go – the athletes. Nearly 30 years after the conclusion of his Hall of Fame career, one which was thwarted when it came to prospering off his aquatic skills, Biondi found himself with the opportunity to benefit those who came behind him. Now, 15 months later, the ISA is ready to take off, with the Alliance’s first board meeting scheduled for the coming weeks. Like most areas of life, the COVID-19 pandemic caused delays, and Biondi needed time to speak with potential Alliance members. In a way, consider the timeframe since the London Derby a version of the meet referee asking athletes to step down from the blocks, before stepping up again. “We feel we’re ready to build and start engaging organizers,” Biondi said during a Sunday interview with Swimming World. “COVID was a double-edged sword. There were a lot (of athletes) who were afraid to join out of fear of engaging in something that was political. And there was the delay of a year by the Olympic postponement. But I think COVID brought up the problems with transparency (of the IOC and FINA). There was skepticism among the athletes. Who

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were the (organizing bodies) in it for?” Biondi ranks as one of the all-time greats in the sport, the highlight of his career a seven-medal haul (five gold) at the 1988 Olympic Games in Seoul. But Biondi also had difficulties in his career, namely limited opportunities to cash in on his talents and what he provided the United States and USA Swimming in international competition. Instead of being supported and thanked for his contributions, Biondi was cast aside after emerging as a primary face of the sport and, more specifically, the Seoul Games. One tale that illustrates Biondi’s left-behind scenario unfolded in Bonn, Germany. As he prepared to race and represent his sponsor, arena, Biondi received a fax from USA Swimming informing him that if he competed, he was risking his eligibility. Obviously, it was an unfair and insulting situation, since Biondi should have had the right to freely represent the brand of his choice and find respect for what he achieved in the pool while donning the Red, White and Blue. Making matters worse, Biondi watched Carl Lewis, winner of two golds and a silver in Seoul, travel to Europe and compete in multiple track and field meets, along the way raking in prize money. So, it isn’t shocking that Biondi is eager to provide greater opportunities to this current generation of athletes. “When this opportunity came along, it was curious,” Biondi said of leading the ISA. “I had the chance to contribute to an idea from 30 years ago that (Tom Jager) and I had

[ PHOTO COURTESY MATT BIONDI ]

started. It has given me the chance to travel to meets and professional hubs and explain the concept of the Alliance and its structure.” As the ISA prepares to move forward, how is it shaped? Here are a few of the key components of the organization that Biondi maintains a passion for leading. •

Currently, the International Swimmers’ Alliance boasts 120 members representing 31 countries. Meanwhile, others have expressed interest in membership, and with the ISA now moving forward, this growth is anticipated.

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A five-tier membership system has been instituted, and based on an athlete’s status in the tiers, their financial rewards will be determined. Additionally, any money athletes earn through endorsements and clinics is not part of the sharing. Simply, the ISA identifies a distinct difference between competition and commercial funds.

How long will it take Matt Biondi and the ISA to reap rewards of their push? Time will tell. Certainly, though, the International Swimmers’ Alliance is moving forward in pursuit of enhanced benefits for the athletes, benefits that the athletes deserve as the focal point of a sport that would obviously not exist without them.

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Through a concerted effort of unity, the ISA will seek to generate new revenue streams and have athletes share this money. The ISA is trying to increase prize money at current competitions that financially reward swimmers “All sports enjoy this give and take between athletes and and introduce prize money at competitions that do owners,” Biondi said. “It’s been around for years. Let’s bring not presently reward athletes financially, such as the it to swimming.” Olympic Games. Biondi is hopeful that, eventually, swimmers will be rewarded with a percentage of The movement is underway.◄ the money the IOC receives from television contracts (that NOW AVAILABLE IN 4 DECK MOUNTING OPTIONS number in the billions of dollars), FLY WITH VELOCITY particularly because swimming is ANY WAY YOU CHOOSE one of the most-viewed sports at the Olympic Games.

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A 10-member Board of Directors will guide the Alliance, with six of the positions occupied by swimmers. The first athlete members are Ranomi Kromowidjojo, Katinka Hosszu, Lia Neal, Tom Shields, Brent Hayden and Chad Le Clos.

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The Swede posted to social media, saying that she slipped on the ice in Stockholm recently and suffered the break.

[ PHOTO COURTESY SARAH SJOSTROM / INSTAGRAM ]

Sjostrom said she was “devastated” but inspired by athletes who have returned stronger following serious injury. The time it takes for a broken elbow to heal varies according to the severity of the injury but often it takes around six weeks which would be mid-to-late March. That would leave roughly four months until the Tokyo Olympics are scheduled to go ahead. Sjostrom said:

SARAH SJOSTROM TO UNDERGO SURGERY AFTER BREAKING ELBOW BY LIZ BYRNES

arah Sjostrom‘s preparations for Tokyo have been dealt a huge blow after the triple Olympic medalist revealed she is set to have surgery for a broken elbow.

“Unfortunately I’ve got some bad news this snowy Sunday morning from Stockholm. Yesterday I slipped badly on the ice and broke my elbow when I fell on the ground. “It’s obviously very shitty timing and I feel devastated, but at the same time I’m determined and motivated to come back stronger than ever. “I’ve seen athletes who come back stronger after injuries and they are my big inspiration now. Surgery is scheduled tomorrow. I have an amazing support team around me, and they will help me with rehabilitation. ◄

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[ PHOTO COURTESY DARTMOUTH ATHLETICS ]

COLLEGE NEWS

EVEN IN "REALLY AMAZING" VICTORY, DARTMOUTH SWIMMING SEES WORK STILL TO DO BY ANDY ROSS

aggie Deppe-Walker had been tipped off that news about Dartmouth swimming’s fate was coming on Friday.

As one of the parties to litigation against the school alleging Title IX violations, the senior captain of the women’s swim team knew Friday could be the day that the robust effort to get the program reinstated had waited for. What she didn’t know, until she opened the email from athletic director Harry Sheehy that morning, was that not just the teams bringing suit – women’s golf and women’s swimming – but the other three sports eliminated in July will return through at least the 2024-25 academic year. “I was just thinking it would be the women’s teams and we would have to continue to fight to get the men’s teams reinstated as well,” Deppe-Walker told Swimming World Friday. “That did come as a surprise to me. … It was a huge, huge relief. I know the other women’s captain and I, we were talking last night and were kind of really stressed and anxious about if we were going to be reinstated and not the men’s team, how does that all work, how can we mobilize to get them reinstated as well. It was a really, really nice surprise.” The victory by Dartmouth swimming is comprehensive, though not final. In a settlement agreement, Dartmouth admitted its decision to cut five programs (men’s and women’s swimming, men’s and women’s golf, men’s lightweight rowing) would not pass muster in court. A university statement conceded that, “elements of the data Athletics used to confirm continued Title IX compliance may not have been complete.” Whereas the threat of litigation has led to incomplete victories elsewhere – such as William & Mary’s original reinstatement of women’s, but not men’s, swimming before men’s swimming was later reconstituted – Dartmouth was spared such complications. (Dartmouth’s suit is one of several backed by Champion Women, an organization set

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up by Olympic swimmer and women’s rights activist Nancy Hogshead-Makar.) It allowed a moment of celebration for a community that has marshalled a nationwide and dynamic effort to state its case for the program. “I’m still a little bit in shock,” Deppe-Walker said. “It was really, really gratifying, exciting, just all happy emotions. It really relieving to have your hard work pay off. It was just really amazing. Our whole team was going crazy.” “For us, it just feels like a huge step in the right direction and a huge win, not only for Dartmouth and the students and the current swimmers, but for us as a swimming community as well,” said Priscilla Zee, a team captain in 2002 when the Dartmouth swim team previously fended off an attempt by the school to cut it. “It’s super exciting.” The swimmers won concessions that the teams will be in place through at least 2024-25. In that time, Dartmouth will conduct three additional reviews: A gender-equity survey of varsity athletics, overseen by the law firm of Holland & Knight; an NCAA compliance review conducted by the Ivy League; and “a process-and-control review … to examine administrative systems to make certain appropriate business practices are being followed and effective governance structures are in place,” performed by PricewaterhouseCoopers. Those policies afford athletes a voice in future changes, something lamentably absent this time.

this was future generations. “I think the whole battle with this has been for future studentathletes at Dartmouth,” Deppe-Walker said. “I knew I wasn’t going to be getting my last season in my senior year, but I still wanted to fight to make sure students’ voices were actually heard, especially on really important things like gender equality and diversity. I want to make sure our voices, the voices of people that are affected by these decisions, are heard.” That future sets up the bounds of what’s next for Save Dartmouth Swim Dive. Zee took Friday to relish the victory. After leading the successful survival drive in 2002, resolved in a matter of weeks, she marveled at the current group of “courageous female athletes”holding firm for months, during a global pandemic no less. That level of work, within the greater swimming community and in concert with the women’s golf team, is worth commemorating. So is the victory’s larger ramifications beyond one swim team, as it applies to other women’s sports fighting for survival. But the reprieve isn’t permanent. And the 2024-25 timeline sketches out the group’s next steps. “It does feel like it’s great that we got this victory, and it feels like this is one step, but we need to come together as alumni of the college and really think through additional solutions,” Zee said. “This was only a guarantee through 2024-25, which obviously doesn’t feel super satisfying. So in order to be a competitive program and be a program where students want to come, we have to have a bit more longer-term view on this than short-term. Of course we were very excited today and we are certainly celebrating, but at the same time, we’re thinking about, how do we set ourselves up where we can come together with the college and really think through how to come up with the best long-term solutions for everybody.” ◄

The reinstatement could be too late for the current athletes: A number of Dartmouth swimmers and the entire coaching staff have looked elsewhere to continue their careers, with the summer cuts taking effect immediately. Deppe-Walker said that the conversation hasn’t yet been broached as to whether athletes on cut teams could redeem the 2020-21 year of eligibility, given that the Ivy League suspended fall and winter sports (importantly, though, that suspended season wasn’t set to involve Dartmouth swimming at SWIM MART the time of cancellation). But that was never the point, DeppeWalker said. For her and the other studentathletes on the litigation – Christina Cianciolo, Siera Daly, Alie Hunter, Leah Johnson, Susannah Laster, Mia Leko, Isabella Lichen, Summer Martin, Sarah Minnigh, Bridget Parker, Ashley Post, Kaia Reznicek, Megan Tao, Penelope Tir, Zoe Wortzman, Connie Zhang and Eleanor Zwart, per the Bailey Glasser LLP release –

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“The hardest thing about being out of state was definitely leaving my friends and family for the first time ever. It was like leaving my comfort zone, which was very overwhelming at first,” Ristic shared. Now, she feels at home in Indiana where she has begun a new and exciting chapter of her life, with new friends and teammates she considers family. College was a big adjustment for Ristic. Tough practices and increased training hours meant learning to navigate a new structure in her daily life. She credits working into her new schedule gradually for her smooth transition into the life of a college freshman. “It has made me more independent and I have become better at managing my time, making sure I have time to recover and balance academics,” Ristic said.

ELLA RISTIC EAGER TO PICK UP COMPETITIVE PACE AS INDIANA FRESHMAN BY ISABELLE ODGERS

hen Southern California swimmer Ella Ristic began her freshman year as a student-athlete at Indiana University, she had already sacrificed the culmination of her high school swimming career, prom, and graduation as a result of the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic. With no idea what to expect due to the uncertain climate the pandemic had created, Ristic quickly found stability and comfort in her new team. Almost immediately upon her arrival at Indiana, a large portion of the freshman class was put into quarantine after being identified as close contacts of a confirmed case of the virus. This presented a mental and physical challenge for the eager swimmers who were ready and waiting to join the team’s practices. Since that point, Ristic says the team has taken even more extreme caution, as they mask up and practice social distancing, successful thus far in their efforts. “We didn’t get to go home for Thanksgiving which was hard, but we all wanted a season and that meant making some sacrifices which have paid off so far,” she said. Ristic knew her decision to commit to Indiana would mean moving her life far away from her home state of California, but the team environment and coaching staff drew her to the program in faith the decision would benefit her in the long run.

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One of her favorite aspects of the sport is competing, which the pandemic has rendered sparse. “I think competing is the fun part of the sport and having that taken away from us for most of the season was tough,” Ristic said. After careful planning and dedicated effort, the team has been able to get back on the blocks, and engage in modified dual meet competition, a highlight of Ristic’s college experience thus far. “I think my favorite memory so far was getting to participate in my first actual dual meet. Watching everyone come together for the team was a new and amazing feeling,” she said. As the team shifts its focus toward championship season, Ristic is elated and motivated by the prospect of representing Indiana in elite-level competition. “I am excited that we are finally able to compete again with my IU teammates and for a more normal next few years regarding competition, as well as for in-person classes to start up again,” she said optimistically. Ristic has learned to roll with the punches. She now expresses continual gratitude for the opportunities afforded to her as a student-athlete at Indiana. “This has taught us that everything can change in the blink of an eye and we just need to stay in the present and appreciate what we are doing, even if it is as simple as holding practices,” she said. For now, Ella Ristic will continue to enjoy her freshman year, along with her teammates, embracing the journey and excited for the future. ◄

[ PHOTO COURTESY INSTAGRAM/@SAVELSU_SWIMANDDIVE]

> LA SALLE'S UNIVERSITY'S KIRK NATATORIUM

VIA FUND-RAISING GOALS, LA SALLE OFFERS "PATHWAY TO RESTORE" MEN’S SWIMMING BY MATTHEW DE GEORGE

he La Salle men’s swimming and diving team, which was slated to be discontinued at end of this academic year, has been granted “a pathway to restore” the program, according to a letter to alumni. The letter, shared with Swimming World, cites a “positive and productive dialogue” with La Salle president Colleen Hanycz, athletic director Brian Baptiste and Board of Trustees chair Bill Matthews. It lays out a plan for the reinstatement of the program contingent on short- and long-term fund-raising objectives. “The La Salle swimming & diving community has shown great passion, pride, and a commitment to the men’s program,” Baptiste said in the letter. “The willingness of the group to lead this effort shows a drive and determination to preserve the program. It may serve as an example for similar groups across the country, of the engagement needed to ensure sustainable, championship experiences for the sport of swimming.” La Salle men’s swimming was cut in September, one of seven programs cut by the school, citing budget concerns. Men’s water polo was also cut, though women’s swimming and diving was spared at the time. Given the financial challenges, La Salle sought to rally its swimming alumni base to raise funds to make the program sustainable. The alumni group is aiming to raise $300,000 to cover operating expenses through 2024 to provide the La Salle athletic department “immediate fiscal relief.” The

longer-term goal is to create a $2.3 million endowment to cover team operating costs in perpetuity. The alumni group has already raised $500,000 in pledges and hopes to secure the total amount by April 21, 2021. “I have to give a lot of credit to Brian,” said Greg Earhart, executive director of the College Swim Coaches Association of America (CSCAA). “When faced with a difficult decision, we often see leaders make short-term cuts that have longlasting impacts. Worse, many lack the humility to even consider solutions. Brian took the time to listen, asked difficult questions, and ultimately, see the opportunities instead of obstacles.” “Few programs get a second chance at life like this,” former La Salle head coach and current executive director of Middle Atlantic Swimming Jamie Platt said. “Fewer still get the opportunity to control their destiny so it is important for us to deliver on this commitment.” To make a pledge, visit www.savelasalleswimminganddiving.com. The alumni network can also reach out directly to savelasalleswimanddive@gmail.com or to any of its designated decade alumni captains – George Haggerty for the 1950s; Ralph Ehinger 1970s; Royal Cole 1980s; Dan Morrissy 1990s; Sean Connors-McBride 2000s; Cameron Cabrera 2010s. You can also follow the campaign on Instagram, @savelsu_swimanddive. ◄ BIWEEKLY

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BILL SMITH ELECTED AS NEW BOARD CHAIR FOR USA WATER POLO BY MICHAEL RANDAZZO

t the 2021 USA Water Polo General Assembly, William Smith, a long-time supporter of American polo, was unanimously elected as chairman of the USAWP board. Smith takes over from outgoing chairman Michael Graff, who after 15 years leading the U.S. national governing body for polo will term out of board service on June 1, 2021. No stranger to aquatics, Smith is currently the United States Aquatic Sports president, the liaison for USA aquatic sports to FINA. Moreover, he has been involved in water polo for more than 25 years as an athlete, coach, and club director in the Greenwich, Connecticut area while also serving as a USA Water Polo board member in various capacities. Smith will begin his new role on June 1, 2021. “I’m excited to be the next Chairman of USA Water Polo,” said Smith. “USA Water Polo is one of the most successful and respected National Governing Bodies in the world. “I look forward to continuing our National Teams’ successes and explosive membership growth as the world resets after COVID.” “Bill Smith has dedicated much of his life to our sport,” said Graff, who has been USAWP’s only board chair since the organization was reconstituted in 2006. “His biggest contribution by far is his founding and then building of clubs and our sport in the Greenwich, Connecticut region. Bill helped launch a wonderful water polo journey for countless athletes with his work through the Greenwich programs,

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[ PHOTO COURTESY BILL SMITH ]

WATER POLO NEWS

> BILL SMITH (FAR RIGHT) WITH THE GREENWICH AQUATICS 16-U TEAM AT THE 2008 JUNIOR OLYMPICS

and our community is in a better place thanks to him.” “We have a great deal of leadership on our board, and the consensus of the Nominating Committee was that Bill’s long service to the sport, international experience, and especially his enthusiasm for growing water polo nationally would serve our board and our membership well,” said Jessica Steffens, AAC Representative and member of the USAWP Board Nominating & Governance Committee.” He’s been very engaged both operationally and in gathering feedback from members. He brings a wide perspective of trends across all aquatics that allow water polo to expand both at home and abroad.”

Away from the pool, Smith is the Founder and CEO of Renaissance Capital (Established 1991), a global leader in helping Institutional Investment Managers and Hedge Funds profit from IPOs with its Pre-IPO research. He has an MBA in Finance from the Wharton School (Univ. of Pennsylvania) and a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from Villanova University. ◄ With reporting from USA Water Polo

A water polo player and parent, both of Smith’s children played varsity college water polo. Smith has coached water polo at the high school, club, and collegiate levels, including stints with three different universities and the USA Men’s Cadet National Team. He is perhaps best known for starting two elite age group polo programs in Connecticut. The first—now known as Connecticut Premier Water Polo—is based out of the Chelsea Piers Fieldhouse in Stamford, CT. The second is Greenwich Aquatics; with 250 members, it has grown into one of the top clubs in the country, regularly send athletes to DI collegiate programs all over the country. Smith’s USAWP board work began in 2006, when he served as part of Graff’s original board. Over the years he has assumed a number of different roles, including Board Secretary, Chairman of the Finance Committee, and member of the Nominating & Governance, Development, and Compensation Committees. Smith, who rotated off in 2014 before rejoining the board two years later, has a strong relationship with longtime USAWP CEO Chris Ramsey, who he knew as an age group coach in Greenwich. Ramsey was part of the brain trust who in 2006 elected Ramsey to run day-to-day operations for the organization. BIWEEKLY

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FEATURES & COMMENTARY

IN YEAR SINCE KOBE BRYANT HELICOPTER CRASH, MATT MAUSER HAS TURNED TO POOL FOLLOWING DEATH OF WIFE BY MATTHEW DE GEORGE | PHOTOS BY DIEGO POMBO

Jan. 26 marked one year since the tragic helicopter crash that claimed the life of NBA star Kobe Bryant, his daughter, Gianna, and seven others, including Christina Mauser. This is the story of how Mauser’s husband, Matt, has used swimming as an outlet in the wake of losing his wife.

iego Pombo was surprised to see the text message in late February. For the previous few weeks, he’d checked in periodically with his friend, Matt Mauser, trying to let Mauser know he was there for him but also give him space to mourn. It had been barely a month since Mauser’s wife, Christina, died in the helicopter crash in Calabasas that killed Kobe Bryant and his eldest daughter, Gianna Bryant, among nine total victims; barely a month that Matt had adapted to life as a single father of three children. In the moment, he had a request for Pombo, the coach with whom he’d bonded over Masters swimming workouts for the last two years, Mauser’s big personality melding with the focus of the Colombian coach: Would it be OK if he stopped by for an hour or so at the pool that day? And could Diego maybe meet him a little earlier than their usual noon swim, just so he would be in the pool by himself? In the darkest days of his grieving process, Mauser found light in the pool. That first day back after a month yielded a slog of only about 1,000 yards, but the distance wasn’t the point. Getting in the water, staring at the black line while his body thrummed away and his mind zoned out, with a trusted friend alongside, that was the respite Mauser needed. “Once she died, it became something that was more than just a hobby,” Mauser said. “It became my therapy, getting back in the pool and training for the sake of training. … My one break during the day is go to train at noon with the Masters program. “

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It’s an escape he’s turned to again and again this year, one he credits with helping his family survive a devastatingly challenging year. "PRETTY YET FEROCIOUS" Matt and Christina had been dating for about a month when he figured a trip down memory lane might help his chances. Christina’s younger brother was wrestling for > MATT MAUSER (RIGHT) WITH SON, TOM, AND DAUGHTER, PENNY ROSE Edison High in Huntington Beach, both of their alma maters about a sweet and loving and understanding but you get her in a decade apart, when Matt offered competitive situation, and she was a warrior.” to go with her to pick him up from practice. Telling the story 16 years later, Matt evinces the stage presence he’s known for, with a raconteur’s lilt in his voice. Matt conjured up the idea to swing by the athletic hall of fame lining a hallway, a convenient way to accidentally onpurpose show off the plaque honoring him as a player of the year. Just a subtle way to let her know just what kind of athlete she was lucky enough to be palling around with. “And she said, ‘Aw, that’s awesome. That’s cool because that’s me right there, and right there and right there,’” Matt said. Sports and music provided the twin pathways of their lives together. Both were standouts on the field: Matt played baseball and water polo until adding swimming his senior year. He’d go on to swim at Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo. Christina (nee Patterson) starred in basketball and volleyball at Edison, then went on to Cal State Fullerton. They met through music. Mauser is a guitarist and singer for the Tijuana Dogs, a popular Southern California party band, and works as a Frank Sinatra tribute singer. They met at one of Matt’s gigs, and Matt credits Christina with overhauling the band’s operations and online presence, calling her the “business behind my musical ability.” The music also brought them into Kobe Bryant’s orbit. Both taught at Harbor Day School in Corona del Mar, where Gianna Bryant went to school. Matt composed music for a children’s podcast Bryant produced and acted as his envoy to the world of swimming for a book Bryant developed, what would become “Geese are never swans.” Bryant was also drawn to Christina, who taught physical education and coached basketball at Harbor Day. There was something, Matt recognized, in their shared steeliness on the court, the 5-7 heady guard who combined talent with superior work ethic and a passion for coaching – as Bryant dubbed her, Christina was the “Mother of Defense.” “She was pretty and yet ferocious,” Mauser said. “She was kind but you did not want to mess with her. She was

It’s why Christina ended up coaching at Bryant’s Mamba Sports Academy and why the 38-year-old was with him that ill-fated Sunday in January. The two strains of life even collided on the day of Christina’s passing: It was only music, with the couple’s eldest daughter Penny Rose due to help Matt record a song to be released on the day of the crash, that kept her at home with him instead of on the chopper with her mother. Christina’s spirit is what Matt keeps with him, guiding him in raising the kids. It’s what he hopes to foster in others via the Christina Mauser Foundation. “What I want to be able to do is help girls, parents, single parents, who don’t have means but who have a child who has a lot of the qualities that Christina has, someone who’s going to make everyone on the team better, someone who’s going to be not just the best player but also the hardest worker,” Mauser said. “I want to find parents and families that have one of those kids that maybe don’t have the resources, perpetuate Christina’s spirit.” In his own way, through the grief process, it’s also the mindset that Mauser takes with him to the pool every time he dives in. SWIMMING BACK TO LIFE In the swirl of grief and mourning, Matt Mauser had a scant few weeks to adjust his new normal to the global reset that is the COVID-19 pandemic. Barely a month after his burying his wife, after getting to establish new routines with the three kids – Penny Rose, now 14, Tom, 10, and Ivy, 4 – everything was thrown into disarray again by the encroaching coronavirus. From the throng of well-wishers to even just people he’d encounter in daily life, by mid-March, he was down to just himself, the kids and a nanny. “It’s been horrible,” Mauser said. “It’s just been really challenging.” All that was before a bout with COVID-19 for all four in early December. Tom got the worst of it, spiking a fever that required a trip to the emergency room, but they’re past the scariest symptoms. Continued >>

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Carving out time has been a struggle. He’s lucky to live on a quiet street, not far from the beach, two sites for adventures for the kids when cabin fever ratcheted up. When his pool shut down for six weeks in March, what he calls some of the darkest days of his year, he’d walk the seven-mile round trip on the Santa Ana River Trail to the sea, just to clear his mind. For Mauser, the oasis in his schedule was an hour’s escape to the pool a few times a week.

Matt and give him his space, and he would appreciate that and he kept coming back a lot more regularly.” Before Christina’s death and the pandemic, Mauser became one of a dozen or so regulars. Los Cab has kept an open door for he and the kids, with time in the water a great opportunity to tire them out and change up the routines. (Penny Rose and Tom both play water polo, in what seems like a perfect convergence of their parents’ athletic skills.)

Enter Pombo, who has coached Masters swimming for years in California. He and Mauser met for the first time at an evening Masters program that Pombo coached with Ocean County Riptide Aquatics in 2018, when Mauser had come to realize how much he missed training and competing. Soon, Pombo added an informal group at noon on weekdays at Los Cab Sports Village in Fountain Valley, just 10 minutes from the Mauser’s house, in addition to evening sessions for what is now Costa Mesa Aquatic Club. The workouts are all about efficiency – hand paddles and fins, about 3,500 yards in just over an hour, no “garbage yardage” but sets inspired by Pombo’s observations of legendary coach Dave Salo and executed with a purpose.

Mauser has tried meditation as a coping mechanism, but it doesn’t work for him, the restlessness often overpowering. Swimming, though, delivers the clarity of mind he’s seeking. With the body occupied, engaged to the point of exhaustion, he attains a mental state that blocks out the distractions.

“He (Mauser) would say, this is my time to be with the water and push myself and have somebody next to me pushing me,” Pombo said. “We try not to be too overprotective of

“Through swimming and having the task at hand of completing whatever the set was and getting through it, I use that as a metaphor for life in a lot of ways,” he said. “It’s helped me train my mind to get through pain, emotional and physical. The act of swimming has become very metaphoric of how I get through so much of this period of my life.”

Often, that brings his mind to his wife – to the crash, to her absence, to the life they had hoped to build. At a time when the emotional burdens can seem so intractable, their edges prickly and diffuse, having a set on the board and a time window to accomplish it is freeing, a way to replenish his supplies of mental and emotional energy to tackle the other, less black-and-white tasks of the day.

Mauser understood from the beginning of his return to the water that it required inviting in pain: The physical pain that comes with a good workout, yes, but also the emotional pain, of being alone with your thoughts and the cold reality of it. He’s blunt about the apprehension he felt about that, especially when the trauma was at its rawest. But in the sensory deprivation of the pool, it’s not just that Mauser can check in with his emotions under his terms. There’s also something special about the safe space he’s allowed to do that in. In that way, the training group reminds him of the camaraderie of Cal Poly’s co-ed team. And it’s why that text to Pombo back in February, what seems a world of challenges ago, wasn’t just for keys to the pool but for a little company. “The set, as challenging as it is, the breaks are there and you’re with people. And I don’t think I could’ve done it by myself,” Mauser said. “I don’t think I could’ve swum by myself. Being part of a Masters program and having that community of people has really helped me to continue swimming and to kind of work through those moments when I just don’t feel like swimming. … There’s something about swimming with people that you enjoy being around that is just really rewarding and fun and helps you continue.” ◄ 34

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