Great New Podcast up from USA Swimming

Do you have an imaginary friend now?
Yes.

What is his name?
Aaron Peirsol.

Worlds Coverage on WCSN

I know it's hard to believe people but Brendan swims his 100 Breaststroke final just 21 days from now! As far as I know the only way you can watch the coverage in the US is by subscribing to WCSN.com or pick it up on a Canadian channel if you are close enough to get one (looking at Ms. of Arc and hoping she has her DVR set). WCSN had amazing coverage of Nationals if y'all recall and I'm excited that they are covering Worlds for us since none of the networks have picked it up. A monthly pass is only $4.95 - a pretty fair price for live coverage. Find out more here.

WCSN and USA Swimming are hosting a teleconference with Brendan and Aaron tomorrow (Tuesday, March 5th) at 6 pm eastern that will be streamed live on WCSN. You should be able to find a link to it on their main swimming page sometime tomorrow. ETA: Link is on the front page. And I've posted the email alert from USA Swimming below.

While you're waiting for the teleconference you can be listening the USA Swimming's Aussie Podcast featuring all your favorite swimmers including Brendan. It's good stuff.

As a reminder, world-record holders Brendan Hansen and Aaron Peirsol will be available today via media teleconference call to discuss the 2007 FINA World Championships. The call begins at 6 p.m. EST. Both Hansen and Peirsol are the defending world champions in their respective events (Hansen in the 100m and 200m breaststroke, and Peirsol in the 100m and 200m backstroke).

TELECONFERENCE SCHEDULE
* Audio files and transcripts of the three previous teleconference calls are available at usaswimming.org/media.

Tuesday, Feb. 13 (6-7 EST): Cullen Jones, Brooks Teal
Tuesday, Feb. 20 (3-3:50 EST): Michael Phelps, Bob Bowman
Tuesday, Feb. 27 (3-3:50 EST / 12-12:50 PST): Natalie Coughlin, Kate Ziegler
Tuesday, March 6 (6-7 EST / 5-6 CST): Brendan Hansen, Aaron Peirsol

BIO INFORMATION

BRENDAN HANSEN
Brendan Hansen (Havertown, Pa. / Longhorn) is the first American to simultaneously hold the 100m and 200m breaststroke world records since John Hencken in 1974. In 2006, he set three world records in the span of 20 days in August, breaking the 100m breast world record once and the 200m breast world record twice. The 2006 USA Swimming Athlete of the Year, Hansen was a triple gold medalist at both the 2006 Pan Pacific Championships and 2005 World Championships. At the 2004 Olympic Games, he won three medals (gold, silver, bronze). His first international medal was gold in the 200m breast at the 2001 World Championships.
* Did you know? Hansen has an affinity for the outdoors. When he’s not in the pool, you can find him in the mountains camping, fishing and hunting.

AARON PEIRSOL
The world record holder in 100m and 200m backstroke, Aaron Peirsol (Irvine, Calif. / Longhorn) is one of the most dominant backstrokers in history. The 23-year-old has not lost the 200m backstroke at an international meet since the 2000 Olympic Games, when he won silver. For the second time in a row, Peirsol swept the backstroke races at the 2005 World Championships, winning both 100m and 200m back and swimming the backstroke leg of the 400m medley relay (he also did it in 2003). The two-time Olympian won three gold medals at the 2004 Olympic Games, becoming just the fifth male (and the fourth American) to sweep the backstroke races. He captured his first international gold medal in 200m back at the 2001 World Championships.
* Did you know? A surfer at heart, Peirsol has taken his love for the ocean to a new level: advocacy. Peirsol is a spokesman and ambassador for the Oceana and the Surfrider Foundation.