The Week That Was: Baker’s World Record Highlights Fast US Nationals In Irvine

Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick

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This week was dominated by the 2018 Phillips 66 US National Championships in Irvine, CA, where the United States was determining the roster selections for the next two years of international meets including the Pan Pacific Championships, which kick off in Tokyo in less than 10 days. Check out the links below to see what else was going on in the swimming world in the week that was!

The Week That Was #5 – Koch Out Of European Championships

marco koch, marco-koch-germany-rio-200br-prelims

Photo Courtesy: Rob Schumacher-USA TODAY Sports

This week another big name dropped out of the 2018 European Championships in Glasgow. The Nomination Committee for the German Swimming Association agreed by mutual agreement against a nomination for Marco Koch to the German team for Euros. Koch won the German title in the 200 breast with a 2:08.97, and although the committee acknowledged the “positive trend” in Koch’s performance they did not feel it sufficient for a nomination. This is the third big name to drop out of the European Championships in a little over a week, as Italy’s Gabriele Detti and Mireia Belmonte also announced they would not be competing. The European Championships kick off in Glasgow on August 3rd.

The Week That Was #4 – Tim Hinchey Responds To Bob Bowman Text Message Allegations

Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick

USA Swimming CEO Tim Hinchey held a press conference prior to the start of the Phillips 66 National Championships where he addressed the news that Bob Bowman sent inappropriate text messages to retired Olympian Caroline Burckle in 2011. Hinchey made clear he disapproved of Bowman’s role in the incident, and when asked again how he would have handled punishment during a similar situation during his time as CEO of the Colorado Rapids of Major League Soccer, Hinchey answered, “I’d like to think that that’s someone who wouldn’t be working with the Rapids.” Hinchey reiterated that handling sexual abuse incidents was at the top of his priority list, and that he has had multiple meetings on the subject including with National Team athletes in Colorado Springs. You can see the full notes from the press conference here.

The Week That Was #3 – Simone Manuel Announces New Partnership With TYR

Photo Courtesy: TYR Sport

Olympic gold medalist Simone Manuel announced this week that she is signing on with TYR Sport in her first professional apparel deal since turning professional earlier this spring. Manuel will join Stanford training partners Katie Ledecky and Lia Neal as TYR sponsored athletes. Manuel was the first African-American woman to win an Olympic gold medal in swimming at the 2016 Rio Olympics in the 100 free. “A lot went into my decision,” Manuel said. “I really wanted to choose a company that was in line with some of the mission that I have as a professional swimmer in and out of the pool, and TYR really supported me in that. I just know it was the best decision for me.” Manuel recently wrapped up a successful NCAA career that included winning two team NCAA Championships and six individual NCAA titles in the sprint free events.

The Week That Was #2 – Ryan Lochte Suspended For 14 Months By USADA

Photo Courtesy: Becca Wyant

The USADA suspended Ryan Lochte just days before the start of the U.S. National meet in Irvine, CA, citing a violation from a post he made on his personal instagram account. Lochte posted a photo of himself back in May receiving an IV infusion with the caption “Athletic recovery with some iv drip.” Anti-doping rules dictate that an athletes cannot receive any sort of IV transfusion unless they have been hospitalized or have an exemption. Lochte received a 14-month suspension for the violation, which means he was not eligible to compete for a place on the Pan Pacs or World Championships roster. Lochte’s suspension will be up in July of 2019. His suspension was the second one for the American team right before Nationals, with Madisyn Cox also recently suspended for two years by FINA for a doping violation.You can read the full statement from the USADA here and from Lochte here.

The Week That Was #1 – United States Selects Names 58 Athletes To 2018 Pan Pacs Team

Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick

The United States has officially selected the team for the 2018 Pan Pacific Championships, with 58 athletes named to the roster after five days of intense competition at the 2018 Phillips 66 US National Championships in Irvine, CA. Notably, swimmers will be qualifying for Olympic events at the World Championships at the Pan Pacific Championships, meaning those who did not qualify won’t have a chance for a major international roster until the 2020 Olympic Trials. The meet was highlighted by several U.S. Open records from, among others, Michael Andrew, Simone Manuel, and Zane Grothe, while Kathleen Baker set a new world record in the women’s 100 back. That swim earned her the Phillips 66 Performance Award at the conclusion of the meet, while Michael Andrew earned the male high point award and Leah Smith and Kelsi Dahlia tied for the women’s high point award. You can find all of Swimming World’s coverage of the meet by clicking here.

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