A Philosophy of Strength and Health

Does one develop flippers as s/he becomes an elite swimmer over the years or does having flippers contribute to becoming an elite swimmer?

Freedom's Fury is a great documentary about the most famous water polo game in history, Hungary vs. the Soviet Union in the semi-finals of the 1956 Olympics in Melbourne. This game was played in the shadow of the Soviet crackdown of the 1956 Hungarian Revolution. It is a great story of sport, politics and society. It is also a fascinating look at the history of water polo in Hungary, and why this small country has dominated the sport throughout the years. The first hour of the movie contains great footage and discussion of the innovative training methods pioneered by the Hungarian national team in the 1950's. Mark Spitz narrates. And it just so happens that Spitz, as an age-group swimmer, was briefly coached by the most famous player on the 1956 team, Ervin Zador . The most talented Hungarian player, Zador defected to the US immediately following the '56 Olympics and never played water polo again.

Kinesiotape : Anyone else notice the plethora of tape on various athletes? Great Britain: Kicking ass and taking names in track cycling. Vern had a great post with a link to the story of how and why they are succeeding now. Chris Hoy rules. Volleyball: Don't get me started. The indoor game is so beautiful and powerful. It requires the ultimate in teamwork and communication. Too bad you cannot watch it during prime time. Tall athletes: Don't give up hope if you don't like basketball or volleyball. Maybe there is a place for you on the track or in the ring . Thank BOB: Despite their best efforts to force-feed us certain sports in prime time, I have to say it has been great to see the live streaming of the BOB (Beijing Olympic Broadcasting) feed on the NBC website. I just watched the Madison and match sprint finals, and will now pop over to the weightlifting feed to see the 105+ A session. My favorite archived videos thus far are the goals of the day in soccer a...

Iron Maven and CrossFit DesPeres are excited to present an intensive, one-day workshop with Mike Burgener on Saturday, October 25. We'll work from 9-5 and provide you with a great lunch and a fun t-shirt. Participants will have the opportunity to have video feedback while learning the fundamentals of the snatch, clean and jerk. Want bang for your buck? This is it. Space is limited so sign up now to reserve your spot. Email me ( tfober at gmail dot com) to register.

"The race isn't swum, until it's swum."

She will be featured on NBC from 11 am to noon, Central time. She had a American record performance, making all 6 lifts and hitting a PR snatch by 2 kg. We are so proud of her! More details soon. Some how she was able to text me about 3.5 hours before she lifted. I am so happy for her. Hopefully now she can relax, eat (!) and enjoy some time with her family and see some of the sights and other events over there.

Local weightlifter loses his spot By Mark Zeigler UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER August 8, 2008 Getty Images Weightlifter Casey Burgener is a Rancho Buena Vista High graduate. BEIJING – Casey Burgener flew to Beijing. He collected his Team USA gear. He prepared mentally and physically to participate in the Olympic weightlifting competition. His six teammates are competing. His fiancee, Natalie Woolfolk, is competing. He isn't. The Rancho Buena Vista High alum is 6 feet 1, weighs 275 and can hoist 494 pounds above his head, but he has been tossed around by the capricious politics of international sport like a dandelion in a hurricane. Burgener was on the U.S. Olympic team, off it, on it again and then, finally last night, off it for good. “It's heartbreaking,” said Woolfolk, who plans to marry Burgener this fall in his hometown of Bonsall. “To finally find out the day before the Olympics starts that you're not competing, it's just heartbreaking. I wish he was here with me.” ...

Casey Burgener has represented himself, his family and his country with the utmost dignity and professionalism. He has consistently performed nationally and internationally, drug-free. He has earned his degree in physics. He has spent the better part of 14 years preparing to compete on the Olympic stage. This morning he called his family from Beijing to tell them he will not be competing. There is no 3rd spot for the United States men's team, as was presented to the athletes and the crowd in Atlanta on May 16, 2008 . Casey's performance and documentation of the presentation of Casey as a member of the 2008 Olympic team, as captured by NBC on video, will likely never be shown. The following is in honor of Casey Burgener and his accomplishments on that day.

Reading: Rome 1960 by David Maraniss . Fabulous account of the 1960 Olympic Games and the stories behind the events, athletes and organizers. Big-time Cold War politics. US athletes are instructed to give written propaganda to Soviet athletes. Divided Germans compete as a unified team. The first televised games with Jim McKay receiving film daily via plane from Italy. Avery Brundage , IOC emporer . Cassius Clay is 18 and smitten with Wilma Rudolph. Ed Temple and the Tigerbelles rock. Rafer Johnson leads the US team as flagbearer and wins the decathlon. Wondering: When is this stupid heat and humidity going away? Heat index of 113 yesterday. Waiting: Now NBC says Melanie is possibly going to be on the Wednesday Today Show. Possibly. Mel's session will be televised (or some parts from it) this Sunday on NBC. Really: Had a request via a contact for video of Casey Burgener for Late Night with David Letterman. Sent them a clip. Supposed to use it this week some...