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Check out this interview of Aaron (includes a shout out to this site!).

With less than 175 days to go before the start of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, now is the time to act for those seeking event tickets and travel arrangements.

On August 8, 2008, the Olympic flame will arrive in Beijing from it’s around the world journey. The flame will inaugurate the Games of the XXIX Olympiad and kick off a spectacular chance to see record-breaking competitions and play in this exciting city. ...

... Event Tickets are sold by lottery, and only two lotteries remain. One is scheduled for March, and the second will be in May of 2008. When entering the lottery, register for the highest level you are willing to pay. The computer will award lower price tickets when the higher price tickets are not available.

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The fourth annual Preferred Lifestyle and Brands of China’s Richest reported that swimming is the favorite recreational activity (beating out driving BMW’s and travelling to France) of the 660 millionaires interviewed by the report. In related news every single swimming company, professional swimmer and agent in America reinforced their Asian marketing plans.

This upcoming Olympics spells HUGE paycheck for swimmers, probably more than ever before. NBC setting up swimmers for huge audiences back home in the States (never mind that miniscule detail of ignoring what is best for the competition) combined with a booming Chinese economy with a taste for all things western spells out potentially gargantuan opportunities for the biggest stars of these Games.

Hey racers,

I know I've been a little MIA lately, but I've gotta little time right now and thought I'd catch up a bit. It's been pretty quiet the past month or so, not too much to report except ... I finished my university classes! Let me tell you, I am stoked. Getting a degree sure feels good.

In pool news, it's training as usual. I've got a lot more time to focus completely on my stroke now that I don't have term papers or midterms to worry about.

In some ways I suppose I'll miss good ol' U of T, but I'm definitely amped for Beijing. Rock 'n' roll. ...

AP

CRANBURY, New Jersey, January 15. THIS week's installment of SwimmingWorldMagazine.com's Olympic Preview Series will take a look at the men's 100-meter backstroke, an event that should be owned by the Americans in Beijing. The question, though, is which two United States men will get the chance to race for gold, such is the depth of the event among the Red, White and Blue.

Historical Perspective:

Defending Champion: Aaron Peirsol (United States) – 54.06
World-Record Holder: Aaron Peirsol (United States) – 52.98
Most Titles: United States (12) – Harry Hebner (1912); Warren Kealoha (1920/1924); George Kojac (1928); Adolph Kiefer (1936); Allen Stack (1948); Yoshi Oyakawa (1952); John Naber (1976); Rick Carey (1984); Jeff Rouse (1996); Lenny Krayzelburg (2000); Aaron Peirsol (2004).

The second and final night of the Classic @ SMU wrapped up much the same way it began: with the Texas All-Stars shattering meet and pool records, one after the other. The Mustangs had another great outing, winning second place in five events and qualifying for NCAA consideration in four events.

The 200 medley relay team of Pontus Renholm, Alex Hetland, Luka Vrtovec and Thomas Fadnes picked up a second-place finish and an NCAA consideration time of 1:28.18, kicking off the night for SMU. The Texas All-Stars finished the event in 1:26.77, setting a new meet and pool record. Renholm then turned around and swam the 200 back in 1:46.98, taking second-place and picking up NCAA consideration. Olympic gold medalist and Texas All-Star Aaron Peirsol picked up the win in the 200 back, setting a new pool and meet record of 1:39.78. Vrtovec won second in the 100 free, clocking a time of 44.32, just one second behind TAS Garrett Weber-Gale, but good for NCAA consideration. Wrapping up the evening, the Mustangs (Vrtovec, Fadnes, Shane Milu and Renholm) took second in the 200 free relay, touching in at 1:20.51, over three-tenths of a second inside the NCAA consideration cut. Meanwhile, the All-Stars set yet another pool and meet record, shaving three one-hundredths of a second off the previous record, finishing in 1:19.71.

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Hey Racers,

So you've probably heard the news by now seeing as how the Golden Goggles happened a little over a week ago. But just in case, I guess I should tell you I got skunked at the awards this year. My teammate Michael Phelps went home with three accolades, including honors in the two categories I was nominated for. Oh well.

The good news is training is going well for Beijing. We took a quick breather to inhale some turkey over the holiday and now we're back to it. Let the countdown to the end of the semester begin. ...

AP