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The Disneyland Report > Disney News > Gold medalist Phelps to hold swim workshop with fellow Olympians Disney NewsGold medalist Phelps to hold swim workshop with fellow OlympiansBy Anne Hainer After winning gold medals for the U.S. Olympic Team in Athens last month, Michael Phelps, Ian Crocker and Lenny Krayzelburg are getting back in the water --at Penn State's McCoy Natatorium. On Sunday, the three Olympic medalists will hold a two-hour swim clinic as part of Disney's 12-city Swim with the Stars tour that began Aug. 31 in Walt Disney World and will end in October at California's Disneyland resort. After the clinic, Phelps, the first-ever eight-time Olympic medalist, will speak in the HUB-Robeson Center's Heritage Hall. Phelps earned a record-tying eight medals (six gold and two bronze) in Athens and teammates Crocker and Krayzelburg both won gold medals in the 400-meter medley relay. The clinic will take place from 3 to 5 p.m. and will feature demonstrations, relays with local swimmers and rematches from Athens, said Tom Griffiths, McCoy Natatorium aquatics director. Bob Volkert, sports information spokesman, said AT&T Wireless wanted to bring Phelps to Penn State because the company sponsors him, but to do so would have interrupted Disney's tour. "[Penn State] fits in perfectly because beforehand they are in Baltimore then Chicago, so we are a sort of middle point break for them," Volkert said. Penn State swimmers will not be involved in the event at all, unless they choose to come and watch, McCoy Natatorium pool coordinator Jon Larson said. Larson said Disney's Swim with the Stars program would focus on younger children. "The clinic is more dedicated to inspire younger swimmers to commit to the sport than to allow 20-year old Penn State swimmers, who are already dedicated to the sport, watch these stars swim," Larson said. Larson said Big Cat Aquatics, a club team for teenagers and younger students in the State College area, would host the event and provide parent volunteers for ticket sales and crowd control. "Six kids from the club team ages 9 to 14 will be swimming the relays -- which will have three teams -- each with an Olympian ... three kids from the State College area YMCA might be coming too," Larson said. Women's swim team member Nikki Collins said she and the rest of the team were interested in seeing the Olympians swim. "I would like to go see him but I'm not sure," she said. "The team wants to go but I don't think anything is definite yet." After the swimming demonstration, Phelps will be speaking to the press. He will also be answering students' questions and signing autographs at a press conference from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at HUB Heritage Hall. Larson, McCoy Natatorium pool coordinator, said tickets for the event will cost $30 and must be purchased by calling 865-1433 in advance. Return to Disney News. |
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