> Rob Aquatics Masters Swim Calendar Rob Aquatics
> Photoshop rendition of Michelangelo’s Pieta is a tech-suit allegory! SCAQ Blog
> Maly scores an awesome interview with Michael Phelps Dublincat LiveJournal via SCAQ Blog
> Star Trek Wetsuits For Exploring the Deep Side of the Pool the17thman
> Natalie Coughlin Chosen As Judge For

Natalie Coughlin is doing quite well on Dancing With The Stars – she’s got the flexibility and athleticism to outshine the other celebs. Based on her wardrobe during the rumba, she’s also got a scandalous eye for fashion. Found via Rickey.org.

I wonder if she picks her own outfits or if the producers decide for her. Maybe she’ll tweet about it! Follow Natalie on Twitter @NatalieCoughlin.

Update 10-07-09: Natalie direct messaged me on Twitter saying that she and her partner Alec meet with wardrobe and work together for the look of the outfits.

Natalie Coughlin, swimming star and cast member of Dancing With The Stars season 9, just launched her new website (found via The Swim Channel on Facebook). Now that she’s officially a star (and a dancer apparently) she has a new homepage to get the word out about her latest projects and promotions.

Not that she really needs it, because swim bloggers (like me) have been more than happy to help promote Natalie. More famous swimmers = more swimmers = growing our sport!

Keep up with Natalie:
Official Website: http://www.nataliecoughlin.com
Facebook: NATALIE COUGHLIN & ALEC MAZO – OFFICIAL
Facebook: Natalie Coughlin
Twitter: @NatalieCoughlin

Photo from http://twitpic.com/ilfct RT @TheSwimChannel

Natalie has been tweeting about her practices ever since she announced her spot on this season’s Dancing With The Stars. Here is a video of her rehearsing with partner Alec Mazo (found via the17thman):

Dang! Has she always been that flexible?

Yep, it’s official, Natalie Coughlin has a Dancing With The Stars profile page for the next season of the show that pairs celebrities with professional dancers to see if they’ll fall on their face, or dance their way into our hearts.

Ok, so I’ve never actually seen the show but I gathered that much from the trailer announcing Natalie’s spot on the show. Photo by Getty Images via DayLife.com.

The new season premieres September 21st on ABC.

> Topping Point DVD Cover Artwork via Topping Point on Facebook
> Garrett Weber-Gale Grouchy Reaction to 50 Free by Garrett Weber-Gale
> FINA’s Swimsuit List: Pure Genius by Gold Medal Mel
> The Swim Aids Agree With Me: “Dear PVK…” by The Swim Aids
> World’s Highest Springboard–876 Feet High! by Springboards and More
> Korea Earns 2015 World University Games Hosting Duties by Swimming World
> Natalie Coughlin Gives Freestyle Tips to SELF Magazine Readers at SwimStars.org
> USA Diving Merch Designed By Actual Designers! What A Concept.Sugar and Bruno

> Twitter PoolNewsFeed Creepy Photo, Good Message from PoolNewsFeed
> Phelps Will Bring New Stroke to Comeback Swim via the17thman
> Overcome Swimming Fear In 5 Days from News Blaze via PoolNewsFeed
> This Just In! Natalie Coughlin Has A Cute Dog from NatalieCoughlin
> Mind Bending Slow Motion from Discovery Network
> Peirsol Files Suit Over Image Use from TMZ via the17thman
> D’Arcy Given Green Light For After August from Universal Sports
> Loukas, Wilcox Capture 1-meter Titles at Spring Nationals from USOCPressbox.org

Shiho Sakai set a world record in the women’s short course 100m Back on the final day of the Japanese naitonal championship meet. Sakai touched the wall in 56.15, beating Natalie Coughlin’s previous SC record of 56.51 set in October of 2007.

Coughlin, who held the record from 2002 (56.71) and later dropped to 56.51 in 2007, has been relieved of the title after over 6 years.

In long course, Coughlin was the first woman to go under 59.00 in the 100m Back, but her recent record
of 58.97 was beaten this past Olympics by Kirsty Coventry of Zimbabwe. Coughlin (26) and Coventry (25) should watch out for this rising Japanese talent, as she is only 18 years old and has plenty of swimming achievements in her future.

>>Read the original story HERE.
>>Check out the 100m Back record progression.

Source: Universal Sports

For the first time ever, swimmers swept the U.S. Olympic Committee’s Sportsman / Sportswoman of the Year awards. Michael Phelps took home Sportsman of the Year honors for the second time in his career, while Natalie Coughlin joined the likes of Janet Evans, Sippy Woodhead and Jenny Thompson as recipient of the Sportswoman of the Year.

A total of 13 swimmers have taken the honors 16 times. It is the first time in history that both Sportsman and Sportswoman honors have gone to swimmers.

>>Read the full story on SwimNetwork.com