Streamlined News: Fast Teens in Japan; Phelps Visits Ravens; USA Looking to Host Olympics

PHOENIX, Arizona, August 29. AKIHIRO Yamaguchi held his taper for one more 200 breaststroke race today at the Japanese Junior Olympics in Tokyo. The 18-year-old got a little bit closer to Kosuke Kitajima's national record of 2:07.51 with a 2:07.57. Yamaguchi was a second off Kitajima's pace at the 150, then powered home in a 32.36. Yamaguchi still sits third in the world with this swim, but continues to make a statement that at next year's world championships, he will be the fresh face to watch in the 200 breast.

Kosuke Hagino is also swimming fast after winning a bronze medal in the 400 IM at the London Olympics. At the Junior Olympics, Hagino started his meet with a 1:55.74 in the 200 back, a lifetime best by seven hundredths of a second that put him sixth in the world. Then just earlier today, he swam a 53.82 in the 100. Look for Hagino to possibly show up in the backstroke events next year at the world championships.

Michael Phelps paid a visit to his beloved Baltimore Ravens football team last weekend, chatting at length with linebacker Ray Lewis. Phelps also got a chance to meet new kicker Justin Tucker, who is the older brother of University of Texas swimmer Samantha Tucker. Justin was a standout kicker at Texas, and is now the starting kicker in pro football after performing well in the preseason. Tucker said meeting Phelps was “surreal.” The first regular season game for the Ravens is not until Sept. 10, but Tucker could be suiting up for the Ravens tomorrow in the final preseason game against the St. Louis Rams.

The United States Olympic Committee is making another push to host the Olympic and Paralympic Games, according to an article in Inside the Games. The United States could be the hosts of the 2024 Summer Games or the 2026 Winter Games, with a panel now in place to consider which option is best. No cities have been put forth for consideration, though Chicago was the city in the running for the 2016 Olympics, which we of course know went to Rio de Janeiro. One of the members on the panel is Atlanta Braves executive vice-president of business operations Mike Plant, who is the husband of swimming legend Mary T. Meagher-Plant.

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