While we take a short break from Michael Fred, I want to mention some other things. (I know, you're thinking 'Is there anything else besides MP?') But yes, there is. You see our love for Mike extends to other swimmers and swimming in general. There are so many other fan groups that either sprung as a result of PP&P, groups that PPP members floated to. Two of the biggest that come to mind are Eamon Sullivan's Aussi Posse and The Daily Reezy. The Aussi Posse is dedicated to Australian swimmer Eamon Sullivan and his various teammates. The Daily Reezy started online with various fans of the one and only Reezy aka Ryan Lochte. Both these and other groups are lovingly dedicated to the swimmers and swimming.
So getting to the point, I am so lucky to be FB friends with an AMAZING swimmer who has dedicated his time and efforts to promote all the charms of swimming and everyone involved with the sport. He is a Gold Medal Olympic swimmer. He swam for the USA in Barcelona, Spain 1992. He's one of the best Butterflyers in history. Legendary in his own right, he now serves as the eyes, ears, and vlogs for anyone interested in learning about whats happening in the Swimming world. His name may seem unfamiliar to some, but it is possible that you've seen his YouTube vids and perhaps wondered who this guy is with the glasses, quirky humor, and microphone. Well he is Mel Monroe Stewart aka GOLD MEDAL MEL. <http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=27918524883>
Mel, along with his awesome wife Tiffany and daughter Bayley, are dedicated to swimming and promoting everything about it. They care to help others who are completely clueless (*raises hand*) about the technical stuff. And they happen to be pretty cool to be in contact with. I've learned so much watching Mel and his family and friends. Through them Im learning not only about swimming and swimmers, but just how special the swimming community is. Mel or GMM, is also promoting a wonderful cause on FB. Its the USA Swimming Foundation http://swimfoundation.org/
<http://www.facebook.com/pages/USA-Swimming-Foundation/44951976870>
The foundation helps to support swimmers from various levels of swimming, but also helps to raise funds for learning to swim programs across the nation. Members like Mel look to gain support to help programs reach out to children and teach them about swimming. Just recently the foundation decided to offer towels as a Thank You to donors @ the $100 level. They are really nice towels. I posted Mel's vid showing how nice the towels are!
In fact, the towels are so nice that Olympic Gold Medalist Ryan 'Reezy' Lochte gave his approval. And THAT is what brought me to blogspot tonight! To say Im a fan of Lochte just cant cover my overall awe w/ his Awesomeness! Even though Im PP&P all the way, I've been expressing the Lochte Love all the while. Most PPP members know that Im the "Mrs. Lochte" of the group! I cant get into it here, but lets just say Im a fan of his swimming, his coolness, and his dimples. In swimming, he's just simply bad ass. You gotta watch how he rips through the water. And the truth is he hasnt even reached his potential yet. Outside the pool, he's got that laid-back, surfer dude, skateboarding, awesome sneaker-rocking, hotness. SO I was completely floored today when I saw Mel's vid on the 'Essence of Ryan Lochte.' WHY???? Oh only because a USA Swimming Foundation towel, that was wrapped around Reezy, will be given to some UNBELIEVABLY lucky person who donates $500 to the Foundation.
Needless to say I couldnt keep that information to myself. And soon the status messages on my FB profile started to fly! But PPP member Kaitlin pointed something out to me that was intriguing and thought provoking. She said Mel needs to do that with MP! Meaning Mel should get Michael to donate a towel that was wrapped around himself. I laughed, then I really thought about it. WHOA I said could you imagine that? Kaitlin gave me an insight to the potential frenzy of the idea when she vowed to sell her parents home to purchase the towel. (she was joking, i hope :) Although Im sure the Foundation would appreciate such generosity.
Ok, so I know that MP has his various deals set up, and Im not trying to push anything. Im just offering the visual of owning a towel that was used to dry off Michael Fred Phelps. Or a towel that appeared in a GMM vid AND wrapped around Reezy. *Big Sigh* oh the road to heaven surely mustve had a towel or two on the wayside. :)
