AvidaMetrics, the revolutionary swimming telemetry system developed by Avidasports, was featured in a story in The New York Times. Back in February, I blogged about the announcement that the University of Michigan teams would be the first to use the system. Now, five months later, Michigan is still the only one in the pool.

The New York Times article sheds some light on to why coaches might be hesitant to dive in. In favor of the system, Bob Bowman said that having measurable parameters in a system like this, and being able to give feedback to the athlete is “really powerful.” Although, it was noted that Bowman has not used the system for himself. Mike Bottom, the Michigan men

An Associated Press news update, found via SCAQ Blog, reported that FINA has set a firm date for the effective ban of bodysuits. As of January 1, 2010, males will be limited to briefs or jammers; and females will be limited to traditional one-pieces or non-compression short johns.

By setting a specific date for the ban, it appears FINA has removed the threat of a Michael Phelps boycott – however, it doesn’t appear as if FINA mentioned the threat made by Phelps’ coach, Bob Bowman, specifically.

“FINA plans to issue new suit guidelines to manufacturers by Sept. 30, and thought about delaying implementation for a few months to give the companies enough time to produce new suits” (Associated Press).

The Associated Press is getting their information from “a person familiar with the situation,” and an official FINA press release has yet to be seen regarding this updated timeline.

Related: New FINA Bodysuit Ban Could Be Delayed Until May
Related: Bob Bowman Pulls Michael Phelps In Opposition To Speedsuits

From the article Bob Bowman Pulls Michael Phelps From International Competition on Swimming World Magazine, I learned about Bob Bowman’s comments in a recent Associated Press release. Frustrated with talk of delaying the FINA bodysuit ban, Bowman has threatened to pull Michael Phelps out of international competition until the new FINA bodysuit rules take effect.

Pictured: Michael Phelps and his coach Bob Bowman speak to the media during an earlier, unrelated press conference (source).

After being beaten out by the usual suspects (the17thman, SCAQ Blog) I thought I’d give my two cents, or bring anyone up to speed who hasn’t read the original article yet. In the Associated Press article, Bowman issues some choice words that practically beg to be taken out of context or used as a sound byte. For example:

“…they [FINA] better do something or they’re going to lose their guy who fills these seats.” – Bowman

“Bob chooses where I swim. He chooses the meets I’m going to swim in. He chooses what’s right for me and what’s right for my training” – Phelps

I think overall, Bowman is giving a pretty empty threat to demonstrate how frustrated he is with FINA. Even from the cut-and-paste quotes in the article, you notice some key words that imply Bowman’s hesitation or lack of authority in following through with the threat. Bob Bowman says that his recommendation would be that Phelps not swim internationally, and that he might still swim locally, and backs off with a “but who knows” (source).

I agree with Tony from SCAQ Blog, that Bowman does come off majorly arrogant. Based on his statements, it sounds like he intends to use Phelps’ celebrity as collateral to get what he wants, which doesn’t sound like a good representation of USA Swimming to me. He has every right to be frustrated, and to speak about how he feels – but dangling Michael Phelps in front of FINA and threatening to keep the star tucked away in his pocket seems pretty pompous.

Related: New FINA Bodysuit Ban Could Be Delayed Until May

Hayley McGregory, considered by many to be the best American swimmer not included on the Olympic team roster, has been training with the North Baltimore Aquatic Club for the past three weeks. She has her mind set on the World Championships in Rome this summer, and hopes to be a major contender for the 2012 Olympic team. With funding from the United States Olympic Committee, the North Baltimore Aquatic Club is receiving some high-profile attention.

American Statesman staff writer John Maher reports:

“Phelps and his coach, Bob Bowman, recently formed a business partnership to run the club they helped to make famous. Their plans include creating a training site for about one dozen professional, post-collegiate swimmers.”

“In December, the club received a $100,000 grant from the United States Olympic Committee to help toward that goal. In addition to Phelps and Katie Hoff, another Olympian and North Baltimore star, Bowman has added McGregory and Nick Thoman to North Baltimore’s stable of swimmers.”

Unfortunate for McGregory, her best swim in the last Olympic Trials was in a preliminary heat of the 100m Backstroke. She won the heat in world record time, only to have her record taken back in the very next heat by its previous owner Natalie Coughlin.

Hayley McGregory reacts after setting a new world record in the preliminaries of
the 100 meter backstroke during the U.S. Swimming Olympic Trials on June 30, 2008
Photo by GettyImages.

Hayley McGregory hangs on the lane line after finishing third in the final of the
100 meter backstroke during the U.S. Swimming Olympic Trials on July 1, 2008
Photo by GettyImages.

>>View full story by John Maher of the American Statesman.