Splashbacks: Michael Phelps’ Competitive Return Dominates March-April Headlines

PHOENIX – Michael Phelps’ return to competition dominated the headlines in March and April at Swimming World. During the next few days, we’ll take a look back in “Splashbacks”, the most read stories of 2014.

Today, we look back at March and April of 2014. In what is a trend throughout all of 2014, Michael Phelps certainly dominated the headlines. April featured his first swim back after retirement as he took the Arena Grand Prix in Mesa by storm.

Meanwhile, readers were super interested in details about backstroke starting platforms that FINA elected to make legal in 2014.

1. FINA RELEASES VIDEO DETAILING NEW BACKSTROKE STARTING PLATFORM

FINA produced a how-to video on setting up and using the backstroke platform, featuring backstroke Olympic champions Aaron Peirsol and Natalie Coughlin, as well as voiceover by the legendary Rowdy Gaines.

2. IAN THORPE IN INTENSIVE CARE; REPORTS SAY HE COULD LOSE USE OF LEFT ARM

Network Seven reported that five-time Olympic gold medalist Ina Thorpe “contracted an infection” after undergoing surgery in Switzerland, and it was feared that he could lose the use of his left arm.

3. ARENA GRAND PRIX, MESA: DAY ONE PRELIMS LIVE RECAP; MICHAEL PHELPS IS BACK!

Olympic superstar Michael Phelps returned in triumphant fashion as he raced to the top seed in the men’s 100-meter fly in the final significant swim of the morning at the Arena Grand Prix in Mesa.

4. MICHAEL PHELPS SCHEDULED TO MAKE COMPETITIVE RETURN NEXT WEEK IN MESA

USA Swimming put an end to months of speculation with an announcement that Michael Phelps was expected to race at the Arena Grand Prix in Arizona.

5. GEORGIA’S JACK BAUERLE SUSPENDED INDEFINITELY FOLLOWING NCAA ALLEGATION OF SEVERE BREACH OF CONDUCT

The specifics regarding Georgia head coach Jack Bauerle’s controversial academic review suspension were released, and the NCAA alleged a Severe Breach of Conduct (Level 1) offense related to providing an extra benefit of an academic nature to a student. This storyline finally came to a close last week as Bauerle’s final punishment was decided.

6. FINIS CHALLENGES FINA RULES WITH CLOAKING COMPETITION HAND PADDLE

FINIS, a world leader in technical swimming products, announced the addition of a completely Invisible Hand Paddle called the Cloak One. By creating a translucent paddle, it effectively prevents anyone (including pesky officials) from seeing the paddle on the hand while swimming. This is one of the time-honored April Fool’s joke articles in the swimming community.

7. 5 WAYS TO REMAIN MOTIVATED IN SWIMMING

Christian Hanselmann looked into five different ways that swimmers can remain motivated in the sport of swimming.

8. CELEBRATED RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN MICHAEL PHELPS AND SPEEDO CONCLUDES

In a move that sent shockwaves through the sport, Tripp Mickle of the Sports Business Journal broke news that Michael Phelps parted ways with longtime sponsor Speedo.

9. NCAA RELEASES WOMEN’S DIVISION I PRESELECTION PSYCH SHEET: MISSY FRANKLIN NOT SWIMMING BACKSTROKE

USA Swimming released the NCAA Women’s Division I Preselection Psych Sheets to the public, and Missy Franklin was surprisingly missing from her best events.

10. MULTIPLE OLYMPIANS SET FOR SHORT COURSE MASTERS NATIONALS

THE U.S. Masters Swimming short course nationals had plenty of star power with more than a dozen Olympians among the registered 2,250 athletes.

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