5 Swimming Headlines You Might Have Missed: The Week That Was

Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick

The swimming community was treated to some major world headlines in the past week, with Katinka Hosszu responding to a controversial commentary and two Olympic champions making news in the United States. We’re counting down the top five swimming headlines of the past few days on The Week That Was.

The Week That was is supported by AgonSwim.com

The Week That Was #5: Erik Posegay to take over for Bob Bowman as North Baltimore Aquatic Club head coach

Photo Courtesy: Heidi Torregroza

With Bob Bowman moving to Tempe in a few weeks to start work as head swim coach at Arizona State University, the naming of his successor at North Baltimore Aquatic Club was the topic of much speculation. That ended with Erik Posegay being picked as the new head coach starting in August. Posegay has been essentially Bowman’s second in command at NBAC, working with the athletes just below the elite level since 2011. Some of Posegay’s athletes have moved up into the ranks to become internationally successful, including Sierra Schmidt, Gillian Ryan and others.

The Week That Was #4: Alexander Dale Oen statue unveiled in Oygarden, Norway

Photo Courtesy: NRK

Three years after the sudden death of world champion Alexander Dale Oen, a special ceremony was held to unveil a statue of Dale Oen’s likeness in his hometown of Oygarden in Norway. More than 100 people attended the event, including world champion Daniel Gyurta and Dale Oen’s family. The event also premiered a special song and music video called “Moments of Joy” that honored Dale Oen’s legacy in the pool.

The Week That Was #3: Katinka Hosszu responds to controversial commentary

Katinka Hosszu Doha 2014 100 Back World Record

Photo Courtesy: FINA Doha 2014

About a week after a commentary was published that suggested that Katinka Hosszu’s performances of late were aided by illegal drugs, the world champion responded with a press conference in Hungary, stating that ”I deny these hurtful allegations as false and as entirely inconsistent with my character, my belief system, and the spirit of competition.” Hosszu has also responded in the pool since the commentary was published, swimming fast at the Golden Tour meet and winning multiple titles while swimming every event at last weekend’s Bergen Swim Festival.

The Week That Was #2: Missy Franklin returns to Colorado for summer training

Mar 21, 2015; Greensboro, NC, USA; Missy Franklin after winning the 200 backstroke finals during NCAA Division I Swimming and Diving-Championships at Greensboro Aquatic Center. Mandatory Credit: Evan Pike-USA TODAY Sports

Photo Courtesy: Evan Pike – USA TODAY Sports Images

Missy Franklin was doing very well at the University of California-Berkeley, setting American records in the 200 freestyle and winning four individual NCAA titles in her two years in collegiate competition. She’s now a professional swimmer, and is spending her first long course season back home in Colorado to prepare for the world championships. Coaching her will be Todd Schmitz, who guided Franklin to international success and was Franklin’s first coach. Franklin has not said what her plans are beyond world championships, but at some point she is likely to return to Berkeley, as a college degree is one of her long-term aspirations. Franklin has a lot of expectations on her for world championships. She won six golds in 2013, a record for female swimmers in one world championships.

The Week That Was #1: Misty Hyman selected as assistant coach for Arizona State University swim teams

Bob Bowman continues to put together a very strong group of coaches at ASU, and his latest announcement shocked and thrilled the swimming community. Misty Hyman, the 2000 Olympic champion in the 200 butterfly, will make her college coaching debut after working for a few years as coach at her alma mater Shadow Mountain High School not far from the ASU campus. Hyman will join associate head coach Ryan Mallam and assistant coach Dan Kessler on deck in a few weeks. Also part of last week’s announcement was officially naming Tim Hochradel director of program operations, overseeing many administrative duties for Bowman to allow him to focus on coaching.

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Tara Rae

8 years ago

So glad they honoured Alexander Dale Oen , he was an amazing swimming champion and such a humble guy , great ambassador for world swimming , taken so young , makes you wonder what might have been.