Ever since I first read about this, there has been one question on my mind: Exactly how much weight does a potential Michael Phelps boycott of International events really hold?

Before anyone jumps down my throat, let me explain why I would ask such a question…

Here are Bob’s words:

“That would be my recommendation to him, not to swim internationally. The mess needs to be stopped right now. It can’t go any further.”

Ok, but I’m still a little confused. Does he mean that he won’t swim in any international meets until the ban starts (April/May 2010) or any international meets until FINA deals with all the WRs being set in the super suits? Because it makes a difference.

First of all, Mike probably wouldn’t have done anything international before May anyway. He doesn’t do the World Cup Circuit and he doesn’t really concentrate much on the SC season enough to want to qualify and compete at their World Championships in Dubai. Those are in December 2010 anyway.

So, the next international FINA meet MP would possibly swim in would be Pan Pacs, held in Irvine, CA next August.

So really, what does Bob’s threat mean? From the looks of it, Mike wouldn’t have been doing an international meet before the ban went into effect anyway. I don’t see what he’d be missing. That is, unless this year was the year he was planning to fully commit to doing the World Cup Circuit. I guess that’s a possibility.

But if Bob was referring to not swimming internationally until the rewriting of the record books is dealt with, that could be a significantly longer boycott. I’m pretty sure this isn’t what he’s talking about, but on the off-chance that it is, I thought I’d put it out there. He wants immediate action and probably isn’t going to get it.

So, as you can see I’m quite confused. Anyone care to drop some knowledge on the situation? It’d be greatly appreciated!

We feel blessed to have had the opportunity to meet the coolest person EVER in Jason Marsteller!!

You all know Jason, right? He is a force to be reckoned with at Swimming World Magazine and a Swim Aid groupie in his own right; just like all of you!

And yes, this needed its own post. Right, Jason?

Should we even bother this year?

Last year we made both men’s and women’s predictions for who would sign with which swimwear co. after NCAAs.

The fun part was how wrong we were on a lot of those. We aren’t afraid to admit when we’re wrong around here!

The problem with this year’s cycle is trying to figure out if this class of departing seniors is actually going to sign with anyone and/or stay with the sport past Trials. Would Speedo/TYR/Nike sign an athlete for just 3-4 months? We have no clue how that works.

So what I think we might do is go ahead and take a look into our crystal balls and predict some of the National Team as if they were looking to continue in the sport past this summer. If they do, great! If they don’t, well, we still had fun with it!

We know, we know….it’s kinda lame at the moment. It’s not us! The Swim Aids are never lame! It’s just that time of the season where swimming is on the DL. But we’re brushing away the cobwebs for this post!

So in anticipation for the Olympics and Trials (which is probably the greatest Swim Aid get together to date), Speedo updated their site to countdown the months, days, hours, etc., until 08.08.08., just like a certain Natatorium we all tend to gravitate to.

You can check that out here!

It’s actually pretty cool! At the top, you can search the Speedo athletes and read their profiles and see some nice snap shots. But, aren’t we missing a few other swimmers?

Not cool, Speedo. AGAIN!

So, if you didn’t know that I was obsessed with the show Dancing with the Stars, shame on you! Last Tuesday current reigning DWTS champion, Apollo Anton Ohno, announced the new competitors of this season on Good Morning America. During the show, there was a mention of spin off shows in different countries, one of them being Australia, and wouldn’t you know those competitors were announced this past week also! Among the stars vying for the Australian DWTS title is former Olympic champion, Michael Klim.

Is it just me, or can anyone else picture a few USA swimmers out on the dance floor, doing the foxtrot?

So while on one of my many trips this summer, I found myself reading an OK! magazine. I stumbled upon an article with Jessica Biel. One question she was asked, was how she felt about marriage. She responded with this:

I don’t understand why everyone is in a rush to get married. I mean, you’re single for like 20 or 30 years, and you’re married for like 70.

To which I say; You go Jessica! I too, am a little bit of a commitment-phobe. The only thing I KNOW I want when I get older (and the Swim Aids can vouch for this) is a gay son. As for waking up to the same person, everyday, for the rest of my life? Uhm, wow. Not so much.

You know what I don’t get? When celebrities announce that they are going into Alcoholics Anonymous. That’s not very anonymous now is it?