posted Apr 19, 2008

I am curious to understand why, at the recent World Championships, the lane numbering was incorrect rising in numbers from left to right, rather than from right to left in accordance with Fina Rules.

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posted Apr 19, 2008

Interesting comments....just a point was it really that expensive Heavensense? Then why did you go? Not bad coverage on the box.
Like to agree with all the comments re the Olympics dont expect wonders folks.
Just another thing, would like to make a point about the presenters. They are just making a living..however what is odd is that alot of the coaches who produced the swimmers are local government officers and will be subject to local government rates of pay...which are feeble considering the hours of work and expertise these people put in ( Mr Furness @ Nova for instance)
Would Davies, Moorhouse or Jamison have done the same? Seems odd that the people who do the actual work are down the pecking order when the money is being handed out.

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posted Apr 21, 2008

For starters, I was really pleased to see the coverage that the swimming received on the BBC. I thought the commentary was excellent, and Clare Balding was more than adequate...she asked questions that some non-swimmers may not have known the answers to, but were embarassed to ask. As for clark_j's comments about why swimmers need to be interviewed after races...why not? Just tune into Match Of The Day to see the often painful post mortem of every match, a faceless reporter interviewing players, managers, physios, players again, and another player for good measure. Swimmers deserve to be recognised for their efforts whether they have just performed magnificently or below-par. With the years of training that they have put in to even qualify for the event, let alone make a final, why shouldn't they get some kind of kudos? And as for Sharron Davies' references to Bill Sweetenham, I think she is just saying what other people were too afraid to say when he was "in power." When the new performance director was interviewed after the World SC Champs finished (sorry, I forget his name,) he seemed very keen to give the swimmers the praise they deserved, but also keep things in perspective. He seemed genuinely proud of the team's achievements, and as a National swimmer myself, sometimes this is exactly what you need.

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posted Apr 22, 2008

Just to say I am not against a full and frank discussion of Sweetenham's legacy which I think could make for compelling television. Even on this thread there has been concern that he has seemingly been written out of the recent history of GB swimming. Davies was very much at the forefront of the media criticism that led to a number of retirements and I just find what is happening now to be rather less than a grown up full and frank discussion: that's all. As for the post-race interviews, again, I am not dead set against these and am more than happy to see swimmers given the recognition they deserve, I am just not convinced that it really makes for great television and there seemed to be a quite strict and perfunctory policy that Sharon grabs every passing GB swimmer to ask them for a commment.

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posted Apr 23, 2008

swimmer_bloke it's Michael Scott.

Good to see credit being given to Sweetenham in today's Tancock interview. He commented they are working to his plan - just someone else in charge now.

Perhaps the most impressive thing about recent results is how many events TeamGB is competitive now in with all Sweetenham's youngsters coming through. If you look at the recent French and German trials results there are quite a few events these countries are not going to be represented in.

As far as the post-race interviews I enjoy Sharon's style but not sure so many have to be interviewed. Not a great fan of Clare though - I always think of her and horses. Should have someone who knows the subject in charge.

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posted Apr 23, 2008

No comments about underpaid coaches then?

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posted Apr 24, 2008

"I am curious to understand why, at the recent World Championships, the lane numbering was incorrect rising in numbers from left to right, rather than from right to left in accordance with Fina Rules."

I'm not expect on FINA rules but could it be something to do with at Manchester they were starting from the left hand side (looking at the TV!) while pretty much all other swimming I have seen (Athens and Sydney def.) they started from the right hand side. The result is that on the TV lane 1 is always at the top.

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posted Apr 24, 2008

i went to the champs. it was wicked to see. although im not sure they can justofy what they spent insalling that pool!

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posted Apr 24, 2008

Correction to my earlier post it's Michael Stott.

Further praise for Sweetenham from Halsall about his professional approach in an interview today (see BBC sports website).

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posted Apr 27, 2008

Not all of those who delivered the performances that drew such praise were products of the Sweenham era. There are a lot of swimmers coming through that have received very little from the GB set up. There will also be a number of new names in the national finals that again have received nothing from 'Team GB'.
Some of the big names will get a 'reality check' when they don't finish on the podium. There are a lot of good swimmers out there who have progressed to the point of being able to challenge the established and 'favoured' Team hotbead clubs and set-up.

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