2009 Best Performances

1500 METRES FREESTYLE

#	Country		Time	Name	IPS	Meet
1		TUN	14:37.28	Mellouli, Oussama	1007	WORLDJUL
2		CAN	14:41.38	Cochrane, Ryan	1000	WORLDJUL
3		CHN	14:46.84	Sun, Yang	991	WORLDJUL
4		CHN	14:47.51	Zhang, Lin	990	CHNLCAPR
5		ITA	14:48.28	Colbertaldo, Federico	989	WORLDJUL

In this issue: the suit crisis from Craig Lord; the world of Elizabeth Beisel by Nikki Dryden; the story of Region of Waterloo by Lauren Beard; Jeff Grace on Gregg Streppel’s open season; Alex Baumann on excellence; Cecil Colwin on technique and Joanne Malar on eating disorders; Justin Finney's tour of Tampa Bay Aquatics; Adam Sioui's diary

The 108 world records established in 2008 are the main feature of the latest issue of SwimNews Magazine. Craig Lord has documented the sequence of the record breaking—55 long course and 53 short course standards. The record spree started in February with the first use of the Speedo LZR suit and continued apace as other new models from other manufacturers made it to the pool. 

By the summer, the wearing of multiple suits had taken hold, a practice that culminated in as many as four suits at once being worn at the SC Europeans. Clearly FINA had lost control of the issue and moved away from the spirit of a rule book that holds that no device may enhance speed, buoyancy or endurance. The existing rule book was clear all along: it forbids any enhancement. Yet, sadly, enhancement is what we got, both from compression of the torso and legs, as well as flotation from the neoprene-type suits commonly used in triathlon. The world waits for FINA to formulate new rules and regulations to return some normalcy. Swimming should be a competition between athletes, not between suit technologies.

In mid-January of 2009, FINA held a coaches conference in Singapore where the current calendar chaos was on the agenda. Some recommendations, if acted upon by FINA, will simplify the ever-increasing activity level. Junior versions of all the existing major games (Olympics, Pan Pacs, Commonwealths, Worlds) are now a reality, doubling existing budgets. 

Craig Lord has covered these topics in this issue as well as on our website www.swimnews.com on an almost daily basis and will update you there on an ever-changing, fast-moving story.

The content of the SwimNews Magazine is not available online: inform yourself, support our work and subscribe here.

In the magazine, Nikki Dryden writes about 15-year-old Elizabeth Beisel, a precocious American swimmer who at age 13 was competing at Pan Pacs in Victoria. She was a finalist in Beijing in the 200 back and 400 IM. She will only finish high school in 2010. 

Region of Waterloo has been home to greats like Olympic champion Victor Davis and many Olympians since the mid 1980s, including the most recent — Keith Beavers in 2008. The story of the club is told by Lauren Beard and includes details of the difficulties in keeping open its main pool at Wilfrid Laurier University, which is very much on the endangered list.  

Early in the introduction of open water swimming to the World Championships, back in 1991, Greg Streppel was one of the superstars. In 1994 he won the 25km world title in Italy. The sport is now in the Olympic Games. Streppel’s story is told by Jeff Grace on the occasion of his induction to the Circle of Excellence last November.

Jeff Grace also spoke with Alex Baumann, who is in charge of the Canadian Olympic Committee's Road to Excellence. Good results in 2008 will lead to even better ones in 2012 in London.

Cecil Colwin explains how better technique leads to better stroke mechanics. Wider-than-the-shoulder entry has been a common trait of the very best swimmers.

Joanne Malar explains how eating disorders are far more common than admitted. How to recognize the symptoms and where to seek help are explained in her article.

Canadian coach Jason Bowes is now in charge of the Tampa Bay Aquatics. With extraordinary membership growth since last summer's Olympics, Justin Finney spent six weeks helping manage the additional swimmers and train new coaches on staff. He explains the future prospects for both Jason and his club.

Adam Sioui, now retired from the race pool, reflects on his Beijing experience and the self-respect gained from the Canadian team's success.

TAG times include both East and West Championships on the weekend of 12-15 February.

Expect our next issue in late April.