Unsung Heroes

PHOENIX, Arizona, April 5. THE latest Voice for the Sport looks at the Unsung Heroes of the sport of swimming. This article is found in April issue of Swimming World Magazine, and is also printed below:

The summer of 2010 marks the end of swimming's honeymoon with Beijing. Our post-Olympic boost from 2008 is officially over. The midway point between two Olympic Games always marks the quadrennial low tide for our sport.
The work on pool decks and in the water now takes center stage.
This is the period of time when the everyday people, behind the scenes, need to be recognized—the unsung heroes who complete the daily grind that allows the sport to shine every four years.
When was the last time you thanked the following people?
• The school, city or club that allows you to use their facility
• The president of your parent group who goes to bat for your program each and every time
• The staff that questions ideas behind closed doors, but supports ideas in public
• The college athlete who comes back each summer and inspires the younger team members
• The local sponsors in your area
• The officials who volunteer year after year
• The parent who gets his or her athlete to practice on time
• The teachers who support missing school days for meet travel
• The crew who always keeps the pool and locker rooms clean
• The local swim shop for team discounts
• The meet announcer for his or her enthusiasm
• The local newspaper for covering the sport—no matter how little or great
• The athlete for showing up every day
• The parent for organizing the team dinner
• The coach who did not hold back his or her best athlete from moving to another coach
• The young swimmer who helps with swim lessons
• The coach's spouse who never complains of late dinners and long-working weekends
• The parent who never complains
• The parent who complains, but still supports the team's goals
• The coach who admits it when he or she is wrong
• The athlete who rarely wins, but never gives up
• The board member who has an open mind on all debatable questions
• The staff member who can discuss without arguing
• The team member who discourages gossip within your program
• The person who can disagree with you and still be friendly
• …Or the person who never let an opportunity pass without saying a kind or encouraging word to—or about—somebody in your program.
These are the people who carry the buckets of molten ore that form the medals of tomorrow. These are the people who make up the team that creates the environment for all of your future success. These are the people who will raise the sport to a new high watermark in 2012.
If YOU want to win, first help someone ELSE win!

BRENT RUTEMILLER, Publisher, CEO

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April 2010 Issue
Contents of The April issue:

8 STILL GOING STRONG by John Lohn
Although Aaron Peirsol has etched a legacy that can be considered among the greatest in swimming's history, the man who many consider to be the best backstroker the world has ever seen is still finding ways to become even better.
10 THE TOP 5 MOST AMAZING MEN'S COLLEGIATE
PERFORMANCES IN THE LAST DECADE by Jeff Commings
Last month, Swimming World Magazine brought you the five best moments of the past decade from the women's NCAA Division I Swimming and Diving Championships. This month, the focus is on the men.
13 A GOOD MIX by Emily Sampl
Youngsters and veterans alike dove well at the USA Diving winter nationals, as the United States selected its 2010 FINA World Cup team.

DEPARTMENTS:
6 A VOICE for the SPORT
40 FOR THE RECORD
43 CALENDAR
46 PARTING SHOT

In the Swimming Technique portion of the magazine you will find the following:

25 Q&A WITH COACH KATE LUNDSTEN, AQUAJETS by Michael J. Stott
27 HOW THEY TRAIN: Rachel Bootsma by Michael J. Stott
28 THE SCIENCE OF PERFORMANCE: Fundamentals of Stretching by G. John Mullen
30 USSSA: Learning to Have Fun! by Margee Charron
32 GETTING IT RIGHT by Michael J. Stott
Getting a taper right involves sufficient training base, coach experience, an understanding of general and specific individual physiology, recognition of athlete needs, plenty of rest and two-way communication.

In the SWIM portion of the magazine you will find the following:

16 THE POOL'S EDGE: Travel Smart by Karlyn Pipes-Neilsen
As your major competition looms in the future, here are a few tips that may help you travel smarter and better prepare for the meet.
18 TOP 12 WORLD MASTERS OF 2009 by Emily Sampl and Jason Marsteller
24 LANE LEADERS: Keiko Price by Emily Sampl

In the Junior Swimmer portion of the magazine you will find the following:
35 NATIONAL AGE GROUP RECORD SETTER:
Michael Andrew, Aberdeen Aquaholics
36 AMERICAN RELAY by Judy Jacob
37 TYR AGE GROUP SWIMMER OF THE MONTH: Kathleen Baker, STAR Aquatics
38 GOLDMINDS: The Future of Swimming Is a MESS! by Wayne Goldsmith and Helen Morris
Multi-event stroke swimmers (MESS) have more options, more choices, more strokes and more fun!

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