Eric Shanteau was recently diagnosed with testicular cancer. Prayers to he and his family!
Erik Vendt is fighting back and countersuing TYR.

IOC is trying to clean it up, will increase doping tests in Beijing. Good!

Video Watch: Dara Torres was featured on yesterday’s Access Hollywood.

Amanda Beard is selling her house in Venice, CA.

Video Watch: Ryk Neethling in VISA ad, because this post needs some hotness and everyone’s already seen the Lay’s spot.

I’ve been home for almost 12 hours now, but haven’t done anything productive. Don’t judge me! I didn’t sleep at all last night. I mean, what’s the point when you have a 5AM flight, right?

Anyway, now that Jason has ruined our fun, I have to move on to other memorable moments from the final day of the 2008 US Olympic Team Trials. I would also like to state that being able to type this on my own computer, as opposed to my Sidekick phone, is a relief. Maybe it won’t take me 52095720 years to write this!

Sleeping in yesterday was glorious. Since I operate on “vampire time”, it was like being at home! We were out pretty late (at Farrell’s, of couse) but when we came back to our hotel, we stayed up a loooooong time! I’ll come back to some Farrell’s talk later because there are some things that we must vent about.

So the pool action. It was brief, no? But very exciting! Dara Torres’ agent, Evan, emailed me before the session and predicted a win and the American Record. He nailed that one! And how about Miss Jessica Hardy?! She amazes me! How many people are able to be world class breaststrokers and sprint freestylers? Recently, I can only think of one; Jessica! We got to meet her father earlier in the week, which was great because after you trade emails with people enough, you want to actually meet them face-to-face.

And I know I’ve already talked about this, but PVK tore shit up in that 1500 Free! I was like “Dayum! Where did that come from?!” I am so proud of him. Like seriously! He went from the label of “relay swimmer” back in 2004, to a bonafide stud in multiple individual events! He could come home from Beijing with 4 medals! And while I was ecstatic for Pete, I couldn’t help but be sad for Erik. I don’t know what happened with him. His prelim time would have put him on the team for this event! We watched that race with his parents and the Vanderkaay and we all saw how Bob was trying to get him to slow down, but he didn’t. Did he maybe expend too much energy? I don’t know. All I know is that I kept waiting for him to make his move, like he usually does, but he never did. Thank goodness he grabbed that last spot for the 800 Free Relay!
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Ok, so I totally can’t believe that this thing is over tomorrow! I remember last Sunday when I was like “this is going to be a long week”. Not the case at all! When spending time with friends and covering fast swimming, time always flies by!

So what went on today?

YAY for Margaret Hoelzer breaking the 200 Back World record. She’s had quite the 15 month period, hasn’t she? She went from being the standout US 200 female backstroker, to the American record holder (at Worlds last year), to World Record holder tonight. Awesome! Great for her! She’s really come along!

I absolutely could not predict the 50 Free. Like many others, I changed my predictions every few hours. So, when it came time for that final, I just decided that I’d let it play out and not try to predict anything. It was easier since Paul wasn’t with us to demand our guesses on who made the team. And I’m not going to lie, we missed his company during finals. We’ve gotten used to watching most of them with him. Today, he was on deck and NBC was filming him during Katie’s 800 Free final.

Speaking of The Hoff, she totally tried to get us kicked out of the Qwest Center this afternoon. And we’re going to remember that! She’s also a horrible girlfriend. But don’t worry about her. I gave her some expert relationship advice and she should be ok in the future. She may get her “free pass” at the Swim Aids revoked if she continues this nonsense! We’re watching you, Hoff! We’re also still laughing at how the security guy didn’t even know who she was. I’m thinking “um, that’s Katie Hoff dude. Remember her name. You’re going to hear it A LOT” But he’ll realize the error of his ways soon enough.

We watched the final 2 men’s 1500 Free prelim heats with Mama Vanderkaay. We thought it was time to hang out with her again, so after we came back to the pool, after our nap, she went at sat with her, Papa VK and the Vendts. I know I sound like a broken record, but talking with her is a pleasure for us. we jump at the opp to socialize with her!

And I’m sorry. After the 50 Free, I was so not about to sit for 2+ hours watching 1500 Free heats of people I don’t cover on Swim Stars. I came back just in time for PVK’s race like a good girl. And how great was Erik Vendt’s time? Wow! Coach Bob kept trying to tell him to slow down and after the race Erik said he didn’t really want to go that fast, he just felt good. Can’t hate on that, can you?

And about Lia Neal breaking the 13-14 NAG record in the 50 Free prelims? Pretty cool. It’s nice to see minorities excelling in the pool. Maybe Cullen won’t have to hold that banner along for much longer!

Dara Torres amazes me. And so does Jessica Hardy. I mean, how often do you see a breaststroker that’s extremely successful in the sprint freestyles? Not very often, but Jess is doin tha damn thing. What doesn’t make me happy is all the talk about Dara with regards to doping. People are so cynical. I don’t even want to talk about it. So I won’t.

What about after finals?

Well, we went to “Swimmer Central” again. And, by Swimmer Central, I mean Farrell’s. Everyone and their mama was there again. Well, not exactly. We feel like there were more people there last night and we definitely didn’t hear any “GTFO” orders. We also didn’t see the “drunk girl” that entertained us with her lack of balance and common sense. We’re hoping to go out on a good note tomorrow. I invited some of my young’un friends to join me at Farrell’s and they came through. I’m not going to call them out because I don’t want them to be accused of anything by judgemental and overbearing people. But, they know who they are, and I thank them for coming out tonight!

Sir Phelps even made a late appearance before last call. He showed up alone. It was weird for him.

We’re beyond ecstatic that we get to sleep in tomorrow. Sleeping in is one of my favorite activities. If sleeping were an Olympic event, I would be the World Record Holder. Don’t even think you can challenge me, because you can’t. I would pwn you.

Later all!

Apparently I’m all about sharing links these past 24 hours. What can I say? I like to do my part! I now ask you to visit the following link:

This link was sent to me by Erik’s reps. They set up a cafepress shop to sell items such as t-shirts, hats, and buttons in an attempt to raise money for Erik’s impending legal fees. It must be frustrating to have distractions like this so close to Trials, but Erik is making the best of the situation and trying to concentrate on his swimming. Did you see his meet record 1500 Free swim from Thursday?

Keep on keepin’ on E.V.!

News of TYR’s lawsuit against USA Swimming, Mark Schubert, Speedo, and Erik Vendt broke yesterday and I now share PMG President Evan Morgenstein’s full statement on the matter. PMG acts as Erik’s sports agency:

As of May 15, 2008, based on what I have determined to be unfair treatment of my client Erik Vendt, Premier Management Group (”PMG”) the largest Olympic athlete representation and marketing firm in the World representing over 30 Olympic icons and current athletes will no longer sign our clients with TYR Sport, effective immediately.

It is with shock and great despair that I was made aware of this unjust litigation against Erik who is known in the industry and out as the hardest working, most honest athlete there is. Having known Erik for many years, it is unconscionable to think that a company such as TYR has so badly misread their own contract. The ramifications will be swift and far reaching. Young swimmers and athletes around the world will wake up tomorrow and know that at least one company will stand up to the pressure of the almighty dollar and say enough is enough.

TYR Sport is no longer on our list of active apparel companies with whom we will do business with in the future. It is unfortunate since we have so many great athletes who currently endorse the company. We will continue to service our clients with our undivided attention but will surely make them aware of the unjust treatment their teammate and friend has endured. Erik’s reputation can never be repaired but there will be no limits to our commitment to justice for Erik!

Evan B, Morgenstein

President

Premier Management Group, LLC

TYR to Speedo, USA Swimming, Mark Schubert, & Erik Vendt: “We’ll see you in court”

Someone’s a little upset it seems. Do swimwear companies usually sue their former sponsored athletes, rival companies, and governing bodies? If I had to guess, I’d say no. However, I’ve been wrong before.

TYR doesn’t like what USA Swimming (Mark Schubert) is doing re: pushing Speedo products. They’re also playing the role of jilted ex and are “in a fight with” Erik Vendt for leaving the company in favor of Speedo suits.

Read alllllllll about it at Swimming World Magazine and the LA Times.

I guess everything’s all gravy with Larjo’s departure since he isn’t being sued.

I don’t know about y’all, but I’m at a loss for words. Wow. Just wow.

There’s been a lot of chatter re: the new Speedo LZR suit and how much of an advantage those who wear it hold.

It’s putting athletes who possess contracts with other swimwear companies (e.g. Nike, TYR, Arena) in a unenviable position heading into the Beijing Games and the selection meets.

Do they risk fines and other penalities and wear the LZR suit? Or do they remain loyal and possibly (I said possibly) miss out on a faster time that could be achieved in the Speedo suit. That is pure speculation based on what I’ve been reading/hearing on the internet.

U.S. National Team head coach, Mark Schubert, has gone on record with the Associated Press that “he will tell every swimmer on his team to wear Speedo at the U.S. trials.”

He will tell them to wear Speedo? Does that mean he will demand/order they wear the suit or strongly suggest it? Can USA Swimming really force a swimmer to wear Speedo; especially if it directly conflicts with their swimwear contract?

Upon doing a little more research, his words were clarified:

“I would strongly advise them to wear the suit at trials, or they may end up at home watching on NBC. Do you go for the money or for the gold? These athletes have been dreaming about winning an Olympic medal since they were eight or 10 years old and nobody can afford to give up two per cent.”

The AP article called out the US Nike contingent of Brendan Hansen, Aaron Peirsol, Jason Lezak and Kaitlin Sandeno.

All the other major players in the swimsuit sweepstakes are developing their own version of the LZR, but it seems the higher-ups of the governing bodies don’t think it will compare with the technology of the Speedo suit.

We already noticed that Erik Vendt, Larsen Jensen, and Mark Gangloff left TYR and are now wearing Speedo suits. It’ll be interesting to see who else defects and from which company.

Things are fixin’ to get mighty interesting coming down the stretch!