28th September:
Michael Phelps, Ian Crocker and Lenny Krayzelberg attended an event in King County Aquatic Center, Federal Way, Washington. Special guest included Megan Quann, 20-year-old Puyallup woman who won two golds in Sydney in 2000. The swimmers passed along words of wisdom, preaching respect for parents and coaches, the importance of hard work and confidence, and told stories of their rise to Olympic glory.
The Olympic champions raced against each other, then competed in a relay with local youth swimmers and a team of media personalities, including John Curly and New York Vinny.
There was around 800 spectators.
What marked this event was the reaction to Phelps, who won two bronze and six gold medals in Athens. Clearly, Phelps' feats during the Summer Games captured the imagination of young people.
More than half the crowd consisted of young girls who exploded like the fans at an N'Sync concert when Phelps took off his shirt. Girls leaned over the rail to get a closer look, swooning, screaming, snapping photos and cheering his every move.
The Bellevue High School girls swim team was in attendance, and one of the team members grabbed the microphone during the question-and-answer session of the event and asked Ian Crocker if he would marry her.
Crocker smiled and responded: "I'm not completely sure that would be legal."
Cute. The full news is here.
Ok. Here's a delicious photo of Michael Phelps...
In the Phelpstival...
Michael Phelps will be in The OC on October 5th. The real OC.
He will sign autographs and leave his wingspan mprint in plaster!
He is scheduled to remove his shirt to show his torso (President's note: WHAT?!?), and imprint his famous wingspan in plaster which will be auctioned off for charity.
Date:Tuesday, October 5, 2004
Time:Noon-1:30 p.m.
Venue:AT&T Wireless retail store
2775 El Camino Real
Tustin Market Place, off
5 freeway, exit Jamboree
Tustin, CA 92782
P) 714-573-0500
