Wednesday, August 16, 2000
Swim Trials Notebook
Sponsors taking root in pool
By Jeff Carlton
The Cincinnati Enquirer
INDIANAPOLIS — Olympic rhetoric trumps up notions of the spirit of sport and international goodwill, but Olympic reality is as much about dollars and entertainment value as any other major sports undertaking.
With flashing lights, pounding techno beats and a hyperactive public address announcer urging fans to “Get up, get loud, let 'em hear you in Sydney,” the Olympic swimming trials went the way of other sports in trying to provide fans with a total entertainment experience.
Corporate fingerprints are all over the trials. Top finishers are presented with their gold medals by regional managers from UPS and marketing directors from General Motors.
The finals in each event bear new names. Kaitlin Sandeno didn't become the first swimmer to qualify for the Sydney Olympics by winning the 400 individual medley; instead, Sandeno was the winner of the “400 medley final brought to you by Eli Lilly,” an Indianapolis pharmaceutical company.
And 1996 Olympic gold medalist Josh Davis added a touch of NASCAR to the trials after winning the 200 freestyle. The first words out of Davis' mouth when being interviewed over the P.A. system?
“I'd like to thank my sponsor, Speedo.”
PHENIX RISING: Ursuline graduate Erin Phenix entered the trials as a little-recognized though fairly accomplished swimmer from the University of Texas, where she has been honored as an All-American.
In the finals of the 100 free Monday, Phenix found herself in the same race as Jenny Thompson, Dara Torres and Amy Van Dyken, “all of whom probably have no idea I am,” Phenix said.
But there are signs that Phenix is earning respect at the trials, where she made the Olympic team as a relay member by her performance in the 100 freestyle.
“Courtney Shealy (2000 NCAA Co-Swimmer of the Year) introduced herself to me this morning,” Phenix said.
ERVIN LANDMARK: After finishing second Tuesday in the 50 freestyle, Anthony Ervin has become the first African-American on the U.S. swim team.
Ervin's father is part African-American, part Native American.
“I'm proud of my heritage. This means a great deal to me,” Ervin said. “I don't think a whole lot of people know about my heritage, basically because I haven't been a contender in anything until this year.”
Continuing swim trials coverage from Associated Press
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