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Latest SwimNews Magazine Out Now

Jan 23, 2010  - Nick Thierry

The latest edition of the SwimNews Magazine is stacked with features, reflections from the water and profiles of some of the biggest players in the pool. The content not available at SwimNews.com but you can order your copy of the Magazine online to gain access to the following:

Matt Hawes, on our cover, is one the best backstrokers in Canada. His is a tradition that started with his father John, an 1972 Olympian in swimming and then a 1976 Olympian in modern pentathlon. Matt missed the 2008 Olympic team, but is aiming for 2012. His story is told by Justin Finney.

Michael Phelps has placed swimming in the media forefront. Whatever he does is news. During the past decade he has done it all, and Craig Lord has a joint interview with Phelps and his coach Bob Bowman. Phelps is truly the athlete of the past decade. Online, we're in the midst of a Top 100 Memories of the past decade, and Phelps is sure to feature a fair few times more as our series stretches back to and goes beyond 2003.

With 255 world records during the last two years, Craig Lord documents athletes’ and coaches’ comments on the suit saga. Berlin-based Karin Helmstaedt took the opportunity to attend the fourth leg of the World Cup in her hometown. She tells us what the pool deck chatter was about - getting into ever-tighter suits to maximize the enhancing effect.

Cecil Colwin interviews American Swimming Coaches Association executive director John Leonard, a key player in the sport with many valuable insights.

And talking of America, when you've dominated the sport for the past 100 years like the USA has, it's hard to find meaningful competitions. In the past, theDuel in the Pool was against Australia, but that didn't offer much of a challenge, as good as Australia is as the number two in the sport. It has been a dream for some that a full-strength Europe would be the solution. Craig Lord reports that the idea is on the right track, just needs a bit more commitment from the Europeans. Add seven more world records to the overall total.

International Olympic Committee member Richard W. Pound from Montreal took up the IOC’s defense and reacted in print with a letter to SwimNews regarding Nikki Dryden's article in our last issue. Nikki replies with quotes from Mr. Pound made during a Canadian Olympic Committee meeting. She can be just as passionate about her beliefs as Mr. Pound in his.

Lauren Beard tells the story of the London Aquatic Club, founded in 1949 and now in its sixth decade. Head coach Paul Midgley continues the tradition with much-improved access to facilities.

Christine Magnuson was a surprise flyer on the USA Olympic Team, winning two silvers. Nikki Dryden tells of her success, now as a professional.

Brian Bond, now retired, has been one of the great development coaches in Hamilton. In fact, he started Joanne Malar in the sport, who now tells of Brian's beliefs with youngsters.

Adam Sioui attended the short-course USA Nationals in Seattle; his report starts on page 22.

Only 10 world marks fell in Istanbul (TUR) at the European SC, indicating some lack of competition from established superstars who gave the meet a miss. Craig Lord reports on this annual short-course competition.

Jeff Grace features two American coaches: Paul Yetter and Sean Hutchison. Yetter developed Katie Hoff, Felicia Lee, Elizabeth Pelton, and many others while at North Baltimore AC. Hutchison was the driving force at King Aquatic Club in the Seattle area, before moving to Fullerton, CA to head up the third USA Training Centre for post-NCAA swimmers.

Curtis Myden went to three Olympics, Worlds, Commonwealths, and PanPacs. He medaled at two Olympics in the individual medley. Now retired from the sport and having completed his medical degree, he talks with former teammate Joanne Malar about the lessons learned.

It has been 20 years since the tragic death of Victor Davis, but his memory is kept alive with the annual awards distributed to up-and-comers. Cliff Barry, his former coach, reports.