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.

This survey appears to lend weight to the idea that swimmers will be, in fact, those very stars. Sure, they are among the biggest in each Olympic cycle, but it appears that it may be even more pronounced this time. Some swimmers have already cashed in; Michael Phelps, for instance, signed a 4 million dollar deal with Matsunichi in 2005 (here’s the commercial if you want to check it out ). Additionally, Katie Hoff, Aaron Peirsol, Ryan Lochte and Megan Jendrick (to name a few) have already done tours of the country in preparation for the Olympics.

Honestly, it seems like a lot of these swimmers have better marketing potential in China than in the U.S. But maybe that’s just me ...

-David, Timed Finals