Lara’s Blog

We have now reached the tough time for us, with USA swimming at the Olympics.  The Women’s 50 freestyle prelims took place earlier today,(last night in Beijing?).  I still get still confused with this time change and with the prelims happening in the evening and the finals in the morning to coinside with prime time in the USA.  Whew!  You got all of that? 
This would have been Lara’s event.  And Keith and I firmly believe that Lara had the talent to be a contender in finals of the 50 free.  So with a big sigh and a big curiosity, I looked up the results from the Women’s 50 free prelims.  And I thought, “Agh!”    Cate Campbell of Australia is seeded first with a 24.20.  Veldhuis of the Netherlands is second with a 24.38.  Then Torres 24.58.  Trickett is fourth 24.67.  And our second US individual woman, Kara Lynn Joyce had a 25.01 and barely made it out of prelims to the semifinals!  She’s # 14 seed.  I repeat.  “Agh!” 
Now, let’s review Lara’s times from Trials.  Prelims 24.50.  Semi’s 24.94.  Finals 24.88.  Do you think that with the benefit of training with the US Olympic team prior to the Olympics, Lara could have gotten even faster?  I said it before, I’ll say it again, USA Swimming failed to put the fastest swimmers onto the Olympic Team. 
So here I sit thinking of what might have been.  I just need a little time to indulge.  Then I will try  to clear my mind, remember that there is nothing we can do about it now.  Fate gave us a different hand, whatever the reason.  Lara did not get to go.  Maybe as Keith said at the Trials, after I asked him, “What if Lara does not make the team?”  In his wisdom, Keith replied, “Then, she’s not ready yet”.

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Now that the Olympics have started and we’re sort of getting used to the idea that Lara’s not on the team, we’re starting to heal (until the next news bomb that might be dropped).  I do get into a state of resolution and then some new information pops up.  Hopefully there will be no new surprises.  I love coming home from work and getting right onto the computer to read up on the latest on several web sites.  I usually go to this site first to see if anyone has posted any comments.  Thanks to those who have contributed comments.  And thanks to those who log on and read even without a comment.  This website is a work in progress.  We are so fortunate to have Jeff Sapper’s expertise in getting this page set up.  I know he has big plans to grow the site.  And after Lara is done with her NCAA eligibility, there’s so much more potential to kick it up, hopefully with sponsors and advertisors.  Thanks, Jeff!
Then I navigate around to Tara Kirk’s blog on WCSN Blogs.  Tara writes very eloquently.  She exhibits true sportsmenship and is very supportive of Rebecca Soni, the swimmer who got Tara’s spot in the 100 breast event after Jessica Hardy tested positive.  I felt moved to add a comment to her posting and I hope she likes it.  She’s been in direct contact with Lara discussing the similar experience they are having being left off the Olympic roster.  Anyway, check out her site.
Then I go to News 4 Blogging Beijing.  Stacey Nymeyer is the Mom of Olympian, Lacey Nymeyer, one of Lara’s teammates at Arizona.  I’ve enjoyed reading about their fun experiences at the Olympics and in Beijing.  I laughed when she wrote about going out to look for a McDonald’s.  Nothing like the good old USA!
Then the swimming websites are a wealth of knowledge.  The three I check out are Swimming World Magazine.com, Swim Network.com and USA Swimming.  There are all sorts of things to read up on, including happenings at the swimming in Beijing, bios on National Team members (check out Lara’s) and future events and schedules.  Now what I am most excited about is that the 13th FINA World Championships is in Rome, Italy starting Sunday, July 19, 2009.  Lara said that she and her coach, Rocket, had already discussed, after the Trials, that this is Lara’s next big goal.  So the swimming in Beijing is half way through, but we are looking towards Rome.  What a nice dream that destination is!  We’re on our way!

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The Olympics have started in Beijing and it’s very difficult to keep my emotions in check.  Lara should be there competing.  Here’s the latest.
On Swimming World Magazine.com, there was a statement issued from Chuck Wiegus, Executive Director of USA Swimming, on August 8, 2008 titled, “A Response to the Jessica Hardy/Tara Kirk Situation”.  He starts with stating, ”There has been a great deal of misinformation about the situation regarding Tara Kirk.  Jessica Hardy did test positive and was formally charged by USADA with a doping offense and she had the right to defend herself against this charge.  After being charged and throughout the appeals process, Jessica retained her position on the Olympic Team.  The hearing took place on July 31 and on August 1 she withdrew from the team.
Many have suggested that we should have added alternates to the team.  Unfortunately the team selection procedures do not allow for the discretionary addition of alternates.  The procedure also clearly states that we were to submit our entries to the USOC by July 21 and after July 21 no new swimmers could be added to the team.  Rather, a member of the exisitng team is moved to the vacant event position and the selection of that athlete is  based on which team member had the fastest time in that event between January, 2006 and July 6, 2008.
…two things have inflamed the issue (1) Jessica Hardy’s positive test and the disrepute this brought to the sport; and (2) the notion that in our sport “the wall decides” and that if one of the top two finsihers becomes ineligible then the vacated spot should go to the 3rd place finisher.    As noted, however, Jessica Hardy did not become ineligible until August 1 and being that this was past the July 21 deadline there was no choice but to go to the “replacement” procedures to determine who would swim in the 100 Meter Breaststroke; and this was Rebecca Soni.
…I have no doubt that we will be carefully re-evaluating the selection procedures following these Olympic Games and looking to make changes that will seek to eliminate similar problems in the future.”
Go to the website and check out the full statement.  It’s much more insulting and belittling in it’s full entirety.  The “Reaction Time Comments” also cut up this “explanation” and tear it to pieces.
Then let’s add insult to injury.  My friend, Christina forwards me two articles, one from the Seattle Times and one from the LA Times.  The headlines, “Swimmer’s mishandled doping test impacts U.S. roster in Beijing” and “Jessica Hardy’s postive drug result reported delayed by mistake”.
From the LA Times, “The positive drug test of U.S. swimmer Jessica Hardy was delayed, officials said Friday, a miscue that probably deprived the team of a replacement.
The U.S. Anti-Doping Agency clarified why authorities, despite an expediated request, didn’t notify Hardy of a July 4 positive test at UCLA for clenbuterol until July 21, the deadline for naming a replacement.  That delay kept USA Swimming from replacing Hardy on its Olympic roster, spots that could have been filled by Tara Kirk and Lara Jackson.”  This from LA Times staff writer Lisa Dillman on August 9, 2008.
Okay, let’s take a big breath here.  As more information comes out, the worse we feel.  Tara and Lara’s Olympic dreams were crushed and USA Swimming does not acknowledge nor apologize to two (plus Amanda Weir for the 100 free relay slot) deserving swimmers that should have been in Beijing right now!
And I’ve said this before, regardless of broken Olympic dreams, USA Swimming failed to put their best swimmers on the team for 2008.
Whether Rebecca Soni and Kara Lynn Joyce swim poorly or nicely in the 100 breast and 50 freestyle, respectively, you’ve got to wonder, how would Tara Kirk and Lara Jackson have done, if they had competed there?

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The 2008 Summer Olympics Opening Ceremonies start tomorrow on 8/8/08 at 8:08 PM.  It will be bittersweet watching as the events progress.  Keith and I plan to be watching as much as our work schedule allows.  We’ll see how our USA Teams do.  And of course we’ll be cheering for Team USA and Lara’s good friends competing for other countries, South Africa, Venezuela, Brazil, Great Britain, and Canada.
It’s still sad for us that there is a shadow over USA Swimming.  There are three female competitors missing and it’s not really okay.  How can you compete against the world without your best? 
Searching the internet you can read about the controversy on several web sites, plus print media.  Check out Tara Kirk’s Blog on wcsnblogs.com.  She skillfully documents her journey through Olympic Trials, her disappointment with missing out on the Olympic Team and then the saga that has surrounded this whole Jessica Hardy ordeal and it’s impact on Tara Kirk.  There is some good reading and some great comments.
I wonder how Lara will react when she actually watches the 50 meter freestyle event at the Olympics.  Will she be sad or angry?  Or can she rise above all the emotions and know that she is an amazing competitor and eventually her shining  moment will come.  Not at these Olympics, but at all sorts of various events in the future.  And I know she’ll be great!

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We had an interesting weekend.  As I had written previously, Jessica Hardy officially withdrew from the USA Olympic Swim Team on Friday, August 1.  There was interest from media including the LA Times, last Friday evening.  Then the local El Paso media was seeking out the three of us, Keith, Lara and myself, for comments.  Lara surprised me late Friday, early Saturday by arriving home for a visit.  On Saturday she was complaining that she needed to change her phone number.  I asked her why and she said that too many people are trying to call her.  I asked her who and she said the El Paso media.  She did end up speaking with the El Paso ABC affiliate, KVIA sports reporter.  You can check out their website for the video.  The NBC affiliate, KTSM interviewed Keith and they parphrased the information that he gave them.  Then on Saturday evening while driving our for dinner, a reporter from the El Paso Times called me and had some questions.  I did not have any substantial information for him, for example, asking if there was going to be a lawsuit.  So I did not notice any print articles from the questioning.  But I still smile that there is still alot of attention on Lara. 
People with whom I work, and friends have asked, “How is Lara doing?” and “Is she very disappointed?”  I guess I can sum it all up just from spending some time with Lara this weekend.  She’s doing great!  She looks relaxed and content.  She misses being with her friends who are in Beijing for the Olympics.  But what a great opportunity to take some time, get some rest and start focusing on her senior year.  It is a benefit for Lara to have a little down time so she can get busy with the ground work that she needs to do to expand her repertoire of events.  She wants to be competive in her 100 yard free and 100 yard fly.  She wants to dominate the 50 yard freestyle this year.  She wants to be on the maximum number of relays at NCAA’s.  She wants to lead this Arizona team to another NCAA National Title.  There’s work to be done and there will be another Olympics in four years.  Lara will only have one NCAA senior year.
So let the games begin!  Go USA!  Go Wildcats.  And God bless us all!

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Okay, I am done wallowing and lamenting.  I guess when it was official that Hardy withdrew from the USA Olympic Swim Team, it sort of hit me in a strange way.  But I am over it!  It helped while I overheard Keith talk with the LA Times reporter on the phone last evening.  He reminded me that Lara has some serious goals for her senior year at Arizona.  She needed to get back to the pre-season training to get stronger and to make sure that she improves with her 100 fly and 100 free.  Keith said, “Lara’s just a walk on from little old El Paso, so we’re thrilled that she’s made it this far.  This is not the last you’ll hear of Lara Jackson”.
So I needed to get back to having faith.  There is a greater purpose and I need to trust in that.

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I am sitting here tooling around on my computer and the phone rings from an unknown number.  So I let the machine pick up and it’s the sports reporter from the LA Times looking for any updates regarding the withdrawal of Jessica Hardy from the US Olympic Team.  Jessica Hardy had an appeals session yesterday and we could not find out any results from that process.  So I look on the USA Swimming Home page and there is this statement from USA Swimming Executive Director Chuck Wielgus: 
“As a result of Jessica Hardy’s withdrawal from the U.S. Olympic Team, USA Swimming will follow the published U.S. Olympic Team selection procedures, which were approved by the USOC, and posted in their final format on February 22, 2008.  According to the pre-approved procedures, swimmers from the existing roster will be placed in the open events.  Rebecca Soni will swim the 100m breaststroke and Kara Lynn Joyce will swim the 50m freestyle.”
Glup!  If only… is all I can think.  Yes Lara has moved on.  Yes, Lara is in no way ready to swim at an Olympic level.  But if only Lara had beat out Jessica Hardy, she would be getting ready to go to Beijing and swim in the Olympics.  It’s a rip off for Lara.  It’s a rip off for Tara Kirk.  And it’s a rip off for Amanda Weir.  What will go through their minds next week when the swimming events begin on Saturday, August 9th?  If only?
So the events next week will be bittersweet.  We’re excited for a number of Lara’s friends that will be competing, both for Team USA and other countries.  But in a nutshell, USA Swimming missed out on putting their best swimmers on the team.  And hopefully in the future, changes will be made so that a deserving swimmer does not miss out on their earned spot on any USA team.

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