Hey, a swimmer’s hair is a top priority! All that chlorine has got to do some serious damage, so who better for a hair/shampoo company to sign to a sponsorship deal than a swimmer? Exactlyyyyy.

That’s what Pantene thought as well as Natalie Coughlin announced her deal with them today.

I’m not sure I can even think of a swimmer/hair partnership in recent years. Can you? I’m sure UltraSwim hooks up some athletes, but what about the big name companies? Head & Shoulders seems to have thrown themselves completely into the NFL/MLB arena.

These companies now have their pick of spokespersons throughout the Olympic season. Who’s next?

Watch a behind-the-scenes video of Nat’s Pantene shoot below…

Click here to view the embedded video.

O/T: If you missed Natalie’s segment on HGTV’s Hollywood at Home, we have it and will post it in the coming weeks!

(Vasquez/Getty)

I read a piece, by the Wall Street Journal, last week with regards to all the dough Missy is turning down in order to live her dream of competing in NCAA swimming.

Her club coach, Todd Schmitz, was quoted as saying “She’s a better person than I am”, and he couldn’t have said it any better! If I was 16, and looking at $100K+ in cash from something I happened to do really well, I’m not sure I’d have been able to turn it down.

But, her dream to have a collegiate swimming career is great; not just for her (because striving for your dreams, no matter what, is awesome!), but also for the sport! I know I’m not the only one to hold this opinion, but it sure it great to see! NCAA swimming will definitely benefit because of her decision and I can’t wait to see where she goes, and how she does! One thing’s certain, though. She’ll love every minute of it!

P.S. Is anyone else as excited as I am that she’s booked a Vogue photoshoot? Can’t. Wait.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Keeping with our recent posting trend of swimmers making public appearances, below are some shots of Amanda Beard (another longtime Swim Aid favorite) hosting an Olympic Opening Ceremony Viewing Party in Las Vegas on Friday.

The party, hosted in Lagasse’s Stadium at The Palazzo featured a pretty cool Olympic-themed cake. More pictures below.

Get that paper, mama!

Resident BAMF Dara Torres participated in the annual ‘The Heart Truth Red Dress’ celebrity fashion show Friday. It typically kicks off Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in New York.

See some more pics when you read the rest…

She don’t need no stinkin’ shoes! Fab dress, though.

You can watch the full video of the fashion show here. It’s just over an hour long.

I moseyed on over to the ESPN sub-site to cast my vote for all the swimmers nominated for ESPY Awards. (You should too.)

When I got to the “Best Female College Athlete” category, I was pleased to see Dana Vollmer nominated. What didn’t please me was that they used a picture of Lacey Nymeyer. ESPN FTL!

Note: We know we have some explaining to do re: our attendance at the Santa Clara Grand Prix. That is a post for another day!

One’s wedding day is so special and memorable. Well, it’s supposed to be. I wouldn’t know, because honestly, I’m on track to be that “old lady with the cats”.

Anyway, the lovely Natalie Coughlin married her longtime boyfriend, Ethan, on Saturday in NorCal. Leading up to the big day, she shared tidbits from her planning of the wedding on her Twitter account. So cute!

Pictures from her special day have made their way onto the internet. They came from Flynet Pictures, a notorious paparazzi agency. I don’t claim to know more about Natalie than anyone else, but I don’t think I’d be going out on a “limb” to say that I’m pretty sure she did not invite or hire Flynet as her wedding photography company. Just a WILD guess!

Anyway, no clue how she feels about the apparent invasion of privacy, because she’s off on her honeymoon. And I’m sure I’m not helping matters eithers, but isn’t that what non-serious bloggers do? If you’re curious about the location, scenery, and wedding itself, you should click right here.

What can I say, I’m just as nosy as the rest of you!

Congrats to the newlyweds!