The reason to read is to find answers to questions that could make a difference to your sporting career, in water or on the deck. The latest edition of SwimNews Magazine is brimming with knowledge and top tips that could help you on your journey.
Take the following lanes of learning:
- Breaststrokers' knee can be crippling but Hungarian ace Jozsef Nagy explains why 'none of my breaststrokers were ever forced to miss any training'.
- Do you know the difference between good fat and bad fat? Did you know that when you eat two small slices of pre-fab' pizza, you're done for the day as far as harmful fats are concerned? Joanne Malar's terrific explanation could be useful not only to swimmers but to a few of the meaty mentors we see testing the strength of the deck at meets far and wide
- Asthmatic and want to know how to deal with the heat and pollution in China this summer? Lauren Beard has some good advice
- With America boasting a current crop of backstroke giants to break them all, what answer does a man like Randall Bal have? Nikki Dryden catches up with him; and Craig Lord looks at the great and memorable moments of Olympic backstroke history alongside Nick Thierry's annual top 10s in Olympic year from 1988 onwards
- Ian Crocker will not be alone when he takes to his blocks this summer. He tells Jeff Grace who'll be there with him
Below is a wider summary of the latest issue, the contents of which can only be had by subscribing:
One of the biggest paydays in swimming went to World Cup overall winner Randall Bal (USA). His $100,000 overall prize added to his winning 21 consecutive races at $1,500 each gave him $131,500 in total, less his travel costs (over $20,000) to seven competitions as far away as possible from each other. Nikki Dryden caught up with Bal at the USA Championships in late November. He did it his way, with no help from anyone. At age 27, and third ranked in the USA in backstroke behind Aaron Peirsol and Ryan Lochte, an Olympic berth will be difficult. Bal's approach is different.
'I'm putting myself in a position where I cannot fail,' says Bal.
The annual European SC Championships, held in the Hungarian city of Debrecen 13-16 December, had the usual assault on the record books. The biggest surprise was 15-year-old Yuliya Efimova (RUS) with a sweep of the three breaststrokes, her only previous outing being the European Juniors last summer. Nine European and four world records were established. Craig Lord reports.
Lauren Beard, a former Etobicoke swimmer now based in Denver, graduatied from the University of Wyoming with a journalism degree. She writes on the increased number of asthmatics in high-level sport.
Nikki Dryden interviewed Elizabeth Wycliffe, formerly from Kingston, but continuing her swimming in Austin, TX, after graduating from the University of Texas in 2006. She trains daily with Kirsty Coventry and it obviously has paid off, with a Canadian record for 200 back (sc) and three Pan Am Games medals.
Breaststroke coach Jozsef Nagy tackles knee pains and their treatments. It's a useful explanation and help to almost all breaststrokers.
Joanne Malar's nutrition topic is the low-down on fats. Her article explains how good fats are fundamental to your health and how to cut down on the bad fats.
Ian Crocker has been one of the all-time greats in the 100 fly: a holder of world and Olympic medals, he was an eight-time world-record setter. His story is told by Jeff Grace.
Cecil Colwin conclude his 12-part series on the crawl stroke with a summing up from 'Splash and Thrash' to the early vertical forearm style.
Justin Finney was somewhat of a mentor to Jason Bowes in their early days on the west island of Montreal. Now Bowes has become head coach at Tampa Bay, after two years at North Baltimore. Finney tells of his experiences.
Adam Sioui spoke with Stephanie Horner and got her to answer 20 questions.
Craig Lord provided his second installment of the great moments in Olympic history, this time focusing on men's and women's backstroke.
Karin Helmstaedt comments on the Marion Jones scandal. A track star who won five Olympic medals in 2000, Jones has lost the medals, the records, has been fined, and sentenced to six months in jail. Will this be a deterrent to others? Congratulations to Karin, whose daughter Saffire was born 7 Feb 2008.
TOP program had just under 600 participants. Your next chance to take part will be mid-April. TAG times are up-to-date to the first weekend of February.