Splash - May/June 2013 - (Page 8)

STARTINg BlOCKS MiKE gUsTAFsoN REAlITY sWiMMiNg oN Tv MATT LUPToN T he Olympics are the greatest reality TV show on Earth. But in the months after the Olympics, swimming superstars are oftentimes featured in other TV programs. Natalie Coughlin was in “Dancing with the Stars.” Michael Phelps was in a golf program called “The Haney Project.” Ryan Lochte stars in his own show on E! Here are a few other reality TV show ideas that some of our sport’s greatest superstars should probably star in. They don’t exist… yet. But that doesn’t mean they won’t. (TV executives, call me maybe?) SHOw TITLE: “Hit and Missy.” PREMISE: Could Missy Franklin become a pop music superstar? With Franklin’s immense lip singing success in last summer’s rendition of “Call Me Maybe,” Missy teams up with music sensation and friend Justin Bieber. Together, the touring duo is known as “Beliebmissiles.” Missy becomes so popular, she has a choice to make leading up to the 2016 Olympics: To swim or to sing? Ultimately, Missy chooses to do both… at the same time. BEST EPISODE: When Missy wins double Olympic gold, then gives an on-deck pop performance minutes afterwards. SHOw TITLE: “Getting Air.” PREMISE: Can a swimmer compete in the NBA? Mega-tall 6’8” Matt Grevers joins an NBA team for one month. Throughout his career, Grevers has heard the question, “Are you a basketball player?” Now, he gives basketball a try. He joins the Chicago Bulls for one month. He attends and competes in practices. He goes to team meetings. He hangs out with players away from the court. He even gets to play in a game. BEST EPISODE: When Matt, after getting picked on during practice, invites his NBA brethren to try out a difficult two-hour swim practice. Hilarity ensues. SHOw TITLE: “How Fast Can You Swim In This?” PREMISE: Nathan Adrian has already swum in syrup for an episode of TV’s “Mythbusters.” Now, Nathan tackles a larger question: Do different liquids affect performance? Can you swim in a pool of melted Jell-O? Would swimming in Gatorade affect performance, or would you be able to simultaneously hydrate while training? Nathan tries to break records while swimming in pools of entirely different things. BEST EPISODE: When Nathan swims in cotton candy. SHOw TITLE: “Synchronized.” PREMISE: Does competitive swimming success transfer to the world of synchronized swimming? Two male swimmers take the journey to find out. Gary Hall Jr. and Anthony Ervin, who both tied for Olympic gold back in 2000, join together once more to take the world of synchronized swimming by storm. They learn synchronized swimming moves like “back tucks,” “water wheels,” and “oysters.” Then they give a televised performance of a lifetime. BEST EPISODE: When Gary tries on floral headwear. 8 SPLASH • May/June 2013 SHOw TITLE: “Flippers.” PREMISE: Is swimming the hardest sport in the world? Is it harder than football? Track? Biathlon? A group of National Team swimmers and retired legends set out to compete in every sport imaginable. Curling. Bobsled. Gymnastics. Hockey. They rank each sport in terms of relative degree of “toughness.” Then, athletes of the opposite sport “switches” and tries out a swim practice. At the end of each episode, swimmers and the other sport’s athletes debate which sport is more difficult. An objective judge (Bob Costas?) presides. BEST EPISODE: Rowdy Gaines ski jumps... and sticks the landing.

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Splash - May/June 2013

Splash - May/June 2013
Table of Contents
Mike Gustafson
Swim Briefs/Justin Case
Top Ten Tweets/Point-Counterpoint
Strength and Conditioning: You don’t know Squat!
Nutrition: What to Eat Before, During and After a Workout
Mental Training: Quick Tips for Addressing Your Mental Concerns
Training With
Athletic Foodie
Your Photo
Lessons from the Masters
Nathan Adrian
Tyler Clary
Missy Franklin
Matt Grevers
Katie Ledecky
Ryan Lochte
Allison Schmitt
Rebecca Soni
Dana Vollmer
Interactive
Best Race Ever
Swim Nut Zeke
Five Songs
Getting To Know
America’s Swim Team Athletes

Splash - May/June 2013