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!

I’m not sure how much more of this we can take!

First we had to mentally deal with the breakup of The Hoff and our favorite coach, Paul Yetter. I’m not sure we’ve fully recovered from that. Now Swimming World Magazine informs us that Paul may soon be announced as an assistant coach at Auburn University.

I mean, we always figured it was only a matter of time before Paul headed to the collegiate ranks, but we didn’t think it would be now. Nor did we think it would be Auburn. Nothing against Auburn. Just not the place I thought he’d head for the first NCAA job. Then again, as long as he’ll be able to put a disco ball on his porch, and he is allowed to run up and down the pool deck, I think he’ll be aight. That, and he’d better continue showing up at some of the meets the Swim Aids attend. ‘Cuz if not, there’s gonna be a fight!

And since I found out about this, initially, from Miss Felicia Lee on Twitter, I began to think about the NBAC kids. We’ve grown quite fond of that group over the years. It’s not rare for young age group swimmers to relocate in order to train with him. I wonder how this affects his Senior Elite group.

Plus, and I’m not sure if has anything to do with how well I get along with Paul or if it’s mostly about talent, I wonder if I won’t suddenly welcome more Auburn swimmers to the Swim Stars Network. Paul has a not-so-subtle way of suggesting new swimmers for me to add to the site. Be it emails about so-and-so setting a NAG, or simply talking up someone heavily at a meet. (We are pretty much BFF’s when it comes to being at the same meet at the same time) So, if he’s coaching Auburn swimmers, I guess that’s who he’ll be pimpin’, right? Something to keep an eye on!

So, if this does go down, we wish Paul the best with his new position. It signals the end of an era fa sho, though! I look forward to seeing him in March 2010 for Men’s NCAAs, which will be right here in my hometown. But that better not be the next time I see him, or another fight will ensue. Just sayin’.

Well, kind of. But we’re starving for material around here, so just deal, mmk?

The Big Ten Network aired the 2009 Women’s Big Ten Swimming & Diving Championships over the weekend. Naturally I tuned in, because it isn’t every day that swimming appears on TV. I’ll take what I can get, yo.

I only caught the last 15 minutes of the initial airing and immediately recognized a familiar voice. It belonged to Miss Kaitlin Sandeno! I’m glad she’s up in the booth using her knowledge, experience, and awesome personality to call and analyze races. It’s a breath of fresh air!

And yes, she did a great job. I hope she does more events, but only if she also gets some TV hosting gigs. This girl needs to be on TV, in front of a camera. We, the tv viewing public, are being cheated every day that Kaitlin isn’t on TV. Someone please stop the torture!

The marketers of Guitar Hero went and signed the US sports world’s heavyweights for their new TV spot. You won’t get it if you haven’t heard of or seen the old Tom Cruise movie “Risky Business”.

It was nice of them to include Phelpsi in the ad with Kobe, Tony Hawk, and A-Rod. Also glad to see MP is letting his hair grow…

Regardless of the inclusion of swimming’s biggest name, it’s still Kobe Bryant FTW. Just keepin’ it real. It’s what I do.

Well, at least I am! I can’t speak for anyone else!

You’ll have to talk to the other girls and see if they’re around. They rely on me to do all the posting instead of contributing themselves every now and then. I’m gonna start cracking skulls if they don’t start putting their ‘posting hats’ on from time to time.

I’m serious. I’m crazy. Y’all don’t know me!

Anyway, I’d like to say that I still miss seeing swimming on TV all the time. And I miss everyone else in the sports world caring about swimming as well. BOOOOOO!

Anyway, Golden Goggles nominees are out! Who do we think is going to win?

P.S. Carrie is temporarily excluded from my threats due to the state of South Dakota hating our Swim Aids website. Michigan >>>> South Dakota. Time to transfer, Carrie.

I don’t know about the rest of y’all, but I may be in need of a rehab stint.

After building up and anticipating these Olympics (since Athens ended), I’m having a hard time dealing with the withdrawals of them being done.

They just can’t be already done. Quick! Someone bring them baaacckk!

I’m encouraged that NBC is so enamoured with Sir Phelps that they have agreed to air the World Champs in Rome (I’m going. No, really. I am!), and the CP Summer Nationals from 2009 – 2011. However, being the skeptical individual I am, I’ll believe it when I see it! And it better not be on at like 1AM like ESPN tried to pull with the 2004 Short Course Worlds from Indy. We’re watching you, NBC!

So, sorry about the tumbleweeds blowing by the blog lately. We can’t help it. We miss the Olympics.

In other site related news, we’ll be upgrading our blog software soon. So, if you visit and everything’s broken that’s probably why; unless Carrie decided to make another post. Jay Kay, Carrie

We know you think you’re always right, but you’re not.

You know good and well that our Olympic Trials should be in March or April and not July. In fact, all of the team trials for internation competitions should be months in advance, not weeks. Think about the selection meets for the 2007 World Champs, Pan Ams, and WUGs. Those were done properly.

You really ought to work on this. Do the right thing and tell NBC to kiss your ass while you’re at it.

Keepin’ it real in the swimming blogosphere,

The Swim Aids