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GOLD MEDAL MEL

GMM NEWS Nov 19th: Golden Goggles BluesYesterday

• The event's over and I want to weep. Chris LaBianco, Head of the USA SWIMMING Foundation (along with Matt Farrell and Mike Unger and many, many, many others) pulled off an incredible shindig! HIGHPOINTS: Hearing the crowd go nuts any time JASON LEZAK'S name was announced, Bob Costas cutting in on presenters' speeches (saving them really), and Donald Trump presenting Male of Athlete of Year to Michael Phelps. I, personally, appreciated seeing BOB BOWMAN receive the award for COACH OF THE YEAR. Bob, who is so unflappable, got emotional onstage. It was only for a brief second, but you could tell he knew he was a part of SWIMMING HISTORY. I remember Bob Bowman as an assistant coach 20 years ago back in Las Vegas. He was only in his 20s, but so, so serious.   
• Stars were out in force. I got video of many. My videos are teasers really, behind the scenes snap shots, which I will post later this week. If you want blow-by-blow coverage, go to SWIMNETWORK.COM. My SWIMNETWORK interviews, which were completely off the wall, will post next week. I asked the 2008 Olympic Team members "insider" questions to gain truly probing information: who was the worst roommate, the most likely to sleep through the swim-practice. Their answers will surprise you. (I'll post an announcement the day before they appear on SWIMNETWORK.)   
• After GOLDEN GOGGLES, VIPs

NOV 15th, a Minute before Midnight, Golden Goggles Celebration Begins!November 16

At midnight, Chris LaBianco, head of the USA Swimming Foundation, was the first to wish me a happy birthday!!! Matt Grevers, Christine Magnuson and Mark Gangloff (with his wife Ashley) were on hand. Chris' wife, Shannon, was in the mix, as always---and much appreciated! Check out the pics:

Matt Grevers, with my wife Tif, is a giant, nearly 7 seven feet tall! Matt, one of my favorite 2008 Olympic gold medalists, won't be at my birthday party on Sunday because his girlfriend's coming into town in the middle of it----but he was nice enough to celebrate tonight.

Christine Magnuson, a fellow University of Tennessee alum and Olympic multi-medalist, shares a special trait with me. SHE'S A SIDE-BREATHING BUTTERFLIER! Christine is swimming until 2012. She's  a breakout star this year. Expect exciting swims from her in the future!

Swim Clinic with 8 Olympic Swimmers, Including Cullen Jones!November 15

GMM News, Nov 15th: Gary Hall Jr. Retires! Lezak isn't Lezak on FacebookNovember 15

• In NYC, celebrating about things swimming, I MC'd an all-star clinic for the USA Swimming Foundation in Queens. Jason Lezak, Cullen Jones, Christine Magnuson, Megan Jendrick, Margaret Hoelzer, Peter Vanderkaay and Mark Gangloff did all the heavy lifting. They instructed over 350 kids on the finer points of stroke efficiency. Check out the video above. (I didn't shoot the actual swimming clinic. Full coverage of that will come later on www.swimnetwork.com.) 
• GARY HALL JR., 10-time Olympic Medalist retires today. 
•  Ryan Lochte reflects on the 2007 GOLDEN GOGGLES, VIDEO at swimnetwork.com. 

GMM, Friday, Nov 14th: I got a HAIRCUT & my TUXNovember 14