> Can it get any worse?: industrial bleach as cancer and HIV cure Science-Based Medicine
> Five things we learned at the Swimming Nationals Universal Sports
> Third Time Lucky For Silchenko Red Bull Cliff Diving
> Pinniped Party at the End of the Pier Rob Aquatics
> Thoughts on Televising Nationals Swimming Science
> Cool Fencing Picture of the Day: Ocean Fencing! Tim Morehouse
> How to Take Your Swimming Pool Workout to the Beach Mat Luebbers About.com
> Ryan Lochte vs. Michael Phelps: A Battle of the Titans Column by John Lohn

I’m a huge sci-fi fan, so you can imagine how I geeked out over this Aqualab flyer that shows Michael Phelps in a submerged laboratory being powered by technology.

It reminds me of a mix between The Matrix and Wolverine Origins – try not to get electrocuted!

> Santa Clara Sprinter Nathan Adrian sweeps the 50m and 100m freestyle Swim Network
> Star sightings: Michael Phelps back with Miss California LA Times Blog
> Swimmer Phelps to tee off in Chinese Pro-Am event Reuters
> Search #SwimBlogsUnited on Twitter
> Unconventional Abs Swimming Science
> The History Behind Prince Albert’s Engagement to an Olympic Swimmer Gold Medal Mel
> FINIS Turnmaster Pro FINIS
> Alain Bernard from Arena Water Instinct via the17thman

I found this HUGE Michael Phelps mosaic image through thedesigninspiration.com, and the original 4993 x 6528 picture can be found on Flickr.

(This isn’t even the full size version! Click here for the HUGE original file)

This Australian Government National Drugs Campaign ad has a clear message: Smoking marijuana wastes potential. The additional text of the ad reads, “all those years of training can soon be wiped out by the lifestyle associated with marijuana smoking. And the damage to your lungs won’t help either.”

The ad features the visual of a burnt-out-looking swimmer sitting on the side of a pool alone – his reflection is an athletic swimmer celebrating in front of a cheering crowd.

Because swimming is such a popular sport in Australia, relating to adolescents through this sport seems like a good marketing technique. However, the online social media community is quick to draw a parallel between the anti-marijuana swimmer ad and Michael Phelps’ Bong-Gate, possibly the most infamous marijuana story in sports history.

The unintended irony is not lost to the over 500 Digg users who boosted the image from a totalprosports.com post. However, although the image is regarded as humorous by some, in the end it is only increasing the exposure of the anti-drug campaign – after all that’s how I found it!

You know those ‘get the look’ shopping guides from celebrity gossip blogs? No? Well after working at a swimwear company for so long, I can definitely spot specific products from a mile away – or in this case in a matter of seconds on a Subway commercial.

I thought I’d put myself to the test, while at the same time providing a Get The Look shopping guide, by introducing this as a new recurring bit for the blog.

In this Subway commercial freeze-frame, Phelps is wearing the Speedo Velocity Men’s Warm-Up Jacket in Navy/Red, Velocity Men’s Warm-Up Pants in Navy, pictured with Speedo Vanquisher Goggles in Smoke.

Michael Phelps’ first Under Armour commercial presumably ran during coverage of the NFL Combine. I wouldn’t know because, after watching two linemen jiggle their way through a 40 yard dash, I switched back to the Olympics. In any case, I’m guessing the spot got some air because the commercial (as it appears on YouTube) refers to the Combine.

Michael Phelps on a peg board – I want one!

As usual, Under Armour delivers an intense, motivating 30 seconds – referring back to their original slogan “WE MUST PROTECT THIS HOUSE!!!” with the repetition of “Protect This House. I Will.”

I know what you’re thinking: Protect my house from what? But your Under Armour house is a little more abstract than your actual house. For example, Michael Phelps’ house is What’s Next. And What’s Next is London. So Michael Phelps’ house is London, and that is what he will protect. Get it? Me neither. Maybe Michael can explain it a little better in his post on stories.underarmour.com:

I’ve always been more about looking forward than backward. The gold medals and records and the success I’ve had are all very special to me. But there’s a lot more that I want to accomplish. That’s why I’m back to work again—back to the grind. I love it, but I kinda hate it, too. That’s when you know you’re doing it right. Whether I’m in the pool or in the gym, I’m out to test my maximum and to see what I can do.

My house is what’s next. And my next stop is London. Protect This House. I Will. (source)

Ok, got it. You can log on to UnderArmour.com and share stories about your house. Not your house house, your “house”.

Although Michael Phelps was a “fish out of water” during his appearance at the Winter Games in Vancouver, he was media-popular as ever! His appearance, which included plenty of promotional opportunities, did allow for Michael to mingle with his wintry Olympic counterparts and even catch a hockey game.

From the AP article by Beth Harris found via NBCOlympics.com:

“The chaos continued outside when Phelps climbed into a red bobsled at a photo opportunity across the street while the crowd pressed against a metal railing for a better view. He later presented a watch from his sponsor to Alexandre Bilodeau, who won Canada’s first gold medal of these games in moguls.” (source)

The bobsled photo op was reminiscent of the Michael Phelps And Massimiliano Rosolino Omega Watch Photo Op from last August – and although the sponsor is not named in the AP article, Phelps is rocking his bright orange 2009 Omega Seamaster Ploprof 1200M dive watch in the picture.

Phelps fans were in full force throughout Michael’s public appearances. One woman even held a sign that said “Will you sign my banana?” which had the piece of fruit attached. The AP article provided no word on whether or not the banana received the autograph, leaving us with an agonizing cliff-hanger: Did he sign her banana?

It wasn’t all schmoozing though, read the full AP article as it appears on NBCOlympics.com for Michael’s comments on his new cross-training program.

Michael Phelps – By signing an endorsement deal with Under Armour, Phelps’ image will directly compete with Speedo’s dryland and apparel products.

I just heard via @Phelps_Phive that Michael Phelps has signed a multiyear endorsement deal with Under Armour. Read the article from USA Today where Under Armour senior vice president Steve Battista says that the endorsement will focus on Michael’s dryland apparel and footwear, because Under Armour doesn’t currently have a swimsuit line.

However, Battista hints that they’re not ruling anything out in a deal that is estimated to be worth around $5 million.

By signing Phelps, Under Armour is sure to attract swimmers who have not been specifically targeted by the non-aquatic apparel company. However, because Speedo has their own line of dryland goodies, this deal surely won’t do anything to help the sales of Speedo brand shorts, shoes, backpacks, and other athletic apparel.

Look for Michael Phelps in an Under Armour commercial set to air during coverage of the NFL combine, and read the full article from USA Today.

Google image results led me to stumble onto the website for Gasoline Alley Antiques. I was fascinated by the listing for water sports collectibles, specifically the swimming and diving trading cards. I’ve included pictures of a couple of the cards in this post, along with the latest swimming trading card to get any attention.

When I think of swimming collectibles, trading cards are definitely not on my list – but it looks like aquatic stars were much more prominent in trading cards in the earlier half of the 20th Century.

The earliest card listed from Gasoline Alley is of C. M. Daniels circa 1910. His card was included in the first series of Tobacco Cards from Hassan Cigarettes. According to Wikipedia, Charles Meldrum Daniels won 5 gold medals for swimming between 1904 and 1908. Born in Dayton, Ohio in 1885, Daniels was also a national junior rifle champion and the squash champion of the New York Athletic Club, and later a top-ranked amateur golfer. Daniels was also featured in the Mecca Cigarettes “Champion Athlete and Prize Fighters Series” of trading cards.

Next, professional diving star Charlie Diehl appeared as a trading card cut-out on a 1952 Wheaties Cereal box. Diehl worked as a show diver for Billy Rose’s Aquacade at the New York World’s Fair circa 1940 along with headlining star Johnny Weissmuller.

The last card I investigated was the most recent swimming trading card to get media attention: The 2004 Michael Phelps “Fans of the Game” card from the Donruss series of National Football League trading cards. PromoMagazine.com reported that 300 of the cards were printed in 2004, but that their value skyrocketed during the 2008 Beijing Olympics.