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Thrills and history in the pool!

Posted by TYRONE STEELS II, Site Administrator in At TMV.
Aug 11th, 2008 | Comments

I witnessed the most thrilling swimming competition ever! And I watched history at the same time. The US Men’s swimming relay team of Cullen Jones, Jason Lezak, Michael Phelps and Garrett Weber-Gale set a world record (3:08.24) on their way to winning the 4×100 free relay. And Jason Lezak had to come from behind in the anchor leg to win it for the Americans. What a race!

And for the history: Cullen Jones is the first African-American to hold or share a world record in swimming. It’s a pretty well-known fact that we black folks just don’t get involve in swimming. I remember seeing efforts to teach black folks to swim in my old neighborhood where I grew up. So seeing Cullen Jones swim his butt off (along with the rest of the American team) made me extra proud.

Congratulations to the entire team!

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DLS

Yes, a quiet but remarkable victory. Here's to a bigger presence someday in hockey, too. (You're in Hockeytown, too, are you not?)

You're looking for another, similar First in November, I know. [wink]

T-Steel

I used to live in Hockeytown (over 20 years) but have recently moved to the great state of Georgia! All hail the PEACH!

About November, the "little black boy in me who said I wanted to be President one day" (*shudder*) is hoping for another first in November. But the realistic, yet still quite silly, black man in me still has doubts it will happen for a VARIETY of reasons: race, The Clintons, some insanity, or McCain just winning.

Patrick E

Jason Lezak is amazing, the guy is in his 30's (which for me is still young but for an Olympic swimmer is getting older) and he blew the world champion out of the water.

DLS

T-Steel, I believe Obama is going to prevail. His campaign has made some remarkable errors recently (remarkable because of how error-free his campaign has been for the most part) and if he recovers, he should prevail over what is a weak and boring McCain. McCain may do better than many (including I) expect him to do, but he'll only get anti-Dem votes as the "default" candidate.

Good luck in Georgia. I was in Smyrna (NW Atlanta) for just over a year and used that time to explore the entire Southeastern USA and beyond. Have you noticed all the Northeastern and Midwestern transplants like yourself who are there? Just wait 10-20+ years for the Baby Boomer retiree and elder-caretaker stampede.

DLS

"shudder"

You'll do less shivering, at least.

Jim_Satterfield

Another thing about that race that is really amazing is that not only did the American team beat the old world record by a full 4 seconds but even the 4th and 5th place finishers beat the old world record. Can you imagine how the 4th and 5th place teams must feel? They beat the world record and still didn't even medal!

T-Steel

Jim:

I know the other teams are SICK to death. I know I would be heartbroken to break a world record and come in 4th or 5th place.

DLS:

Your right. There are so many transplants down here. And we're all turning into Southerners. And I don't have a problem with it at all.

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