PHOENIX, Arizona, March 2. SWIMMING World CEO Brent Rutemiller asks “Where is the Record Buzz in 2012?” in the latest Voice for the Sport, which appears in the March 2012 issue of Swimming World Magazine. The column is reprinted in full below. <\/p>\n
Four years ago this month, SwimmingWorldMagazine.com's headlines told the story of a swimming community beginning a two-year, unprecedented assault on the record books. <\/p>\n
Fifteen days earlier, on Feb. 13, Speedo introduced the LZR Racer. It was woven with elastane-nylon and polyurethane. Five world records were set on three continents within days of the launch and the “techsuit” era was officially born. With the birth came unparalleled media attention to the sport. Enjoy a walk down headline lane with me as we revisit the top story lines of March 2008 (note: Swimming World cannot confirm that all records broken were with techsuits during this period). <\/p>\n
The first week of March came in like a lion:
\n* Missy Franklin Rewrites U.S. National Age Group Records
\n* Katie Hoff Demolishes American Record in 1650 freestyle
\n* Florida's Ryan Murphy Takes Down U.S. 11-12 National Age Group Records
\n* All-American Long Course Championships: Flash! Hayley McGregory Breaks 50 Back World Record<\/p>\n
…with more records falling the second week:
\n* Encore Swim: Texas Pros Put on Show With SCM Invite; Tara Kirk Sets American Records
\n* Swedish Grand Prix, Uppsala: Petra Granlund Sets Swedish Records in 200 Fly
\n* Three More South American Records Tumble
\n* NCAA Division III Women's Championships: Record Book Torched on Second Night
\n* North Baltimore Sets U.S. 13-14 National Age Group Relay Record<\/p>\n
…and even more records smashed around the world:
\n* European Championships: Flash! The Netherlands Blast Women's 400 Free Relay World Record
\n* NCAA DI Women's Champs: Florida's Caroline Burckle Downs Evans' NCAA Record in 500 Free
\n* European Championships: Flash! Alain Bernard Downs Hoogie's 100 Free World Record
\n* Australian Trials: Flash! Stephanie Rice, Emily Seebohm Set WRs
\n* Australian Trials: Flash! Sophie Edington Crushes 50 Back WR
\n* European Championships: Flash! Alain Bernard Becomes Fastest Swimmer on the Planet, Breaks 50 Free World Record
\n* European Championships: Marleen Veldhuis, Federica Pellegrini Set World Records; Laszlo Cseh, Great Britain Set European Records<\/p>\n
…until the final week of March, when it did not go out like a lamb!
\n* Australian Trials: Flash! Libby Trickett Finally Scores 100 Free World Record; Eamon Sullivan Snatches 50 Free World Record
\n* Australian Trials: Flash! Eamon Sullivan Demolishes 50 Free Record Again; Commonwealth Records Tumble
\n* Australian Trials: Flash! Libby Trickett Becomes Fastest Woman on Planet With 50 Free World Record<\/p>\n
The next 21 months brought close to 200 world records. The techsuit era died on Jan. 1, 2010, when the suits were banned and companies had to revert to textile suits. However, the records set during this era remain.<\/p>\n
So, how will the media view our sport during an Olympic year without the mention of “Record Broken” in the headline? <\/p>\n
We at Swimming World continue to provide a list of “textile best” times to put swims–both during and after the techsuit era–in the proper perspective. In the end, any strong performance–be it a world record or a textile best–deserves to be met with thunderous applause.<\/i><\/p>\n
Click here<\/a> for a preview of the other multimedia items available in the March issue.<\/p>\n This issue is truly interactive with nearly 50 links for Premium Subscribers to get the rest of the story, results or even visit the web sites of Swimming World Magazine's<\/i> advertisers.<\/p>\n Download a FREE copy of this issue Today<\/a> and become a Premium Member while you are in the SwimShop.<\/p>\n Order your copy today!<\/a><\/p>\n Video Preview of March Issue<\/b>
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