| * Olympic Swimmers at Disneyland * October 5, 2004 (click on image for a FULL enlarged view) |
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| Photo Journal - Tuesday, October 5, 2004
USA Olympic gold medal swimmers splash down Main Street…
( see my full story on "MousePlanet.com" ) Michael Phelps, Lenny Krayzelburg and Ian Crocker were joined by local swim club champions to participate in this first ever historic 'swim meet' on Disneyland’s Main Street USA. The Olympians have been traveling doing special appearances on this tour since they left Athens and ended their 12 city cross-country tour at the happiest place on earth! To get ready for this historic event, Disneyland cast members constructed this pool in just less than 30 hours! This pool measures 164’ long (50 meters) by 24’ feet wide (3 swimming lanes) and 3.5 feet deep. These 103,944 gallons of water were heated to a comfortable 80’ for the Olympic swimmers and their teams. Main Street was packed with park guests lining the sides of this special pool. As the Olympic medalists arrived, the cheering and loud greetings were almost deafening. These men were not only great athletes; they were treated like celebrities and heart throb hunks! Many handmade signs throughout held up by the crowd with well wishes and pictures, but there were quite a few signs that displayed phones numbers with the invitation, "Michael – Call Me!!" |
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| Main Street pool | Main Street pool | Matt Ouimet | Mickey Gold | Mickey Gold | Team Lenny |
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| Team Michael | Team Ian | Ian & Michael | the race | the race | Olympians |
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For this event, local youth swim champions (age range from 5 to 15) were invited to participate in a four-leg 200 meter relay. Ian Crocker (2 time gold medalist) was joined by team members Paul Lovely, Chris Trimmer & Chelsea Riley. Lenny Krayzelburg (4 time gold medalist) was joined by team members Madisoro Parenteau, Jeoy Fuentes & Shannon Reroz. Michael Phelps (6 time gold medalist and 2 time bronze medalist) was joined by team members Kylee Wren, Taylor Melliroger & Jordyn Moreno. The relay began with the youngest members of the teams. As they started their way down the length of the pool, little 5 yr old Paul Lovely was trying his hardest but not making much headway versus the speed of the other swimmers. The three Olympic swimmers noticed this, dove into the pool and swam out to meet with Paul and surrounding him, they assisted him to the end of his relay leg. This was so cute to see these big athletes warmth and caring to help their up and coming fellow swimmer! [It stole the show!] |
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| Main Street swimmers | Main Street swimmers | Michael Phelps | Lenny Krayzelburg | Ian Crocker | Main Street swimmers |
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See my full story on "MousePlanet.com" |
| Michael & swimmer | Michael & swimmer | ABC TV interview | Main Street ride | Main Street ride | |
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After the friendly competition, Michael, Ian & Lenny enjoyed the warmth of the day and the excitement as they gave personal interviews with the media and autographs to the guests. There was a moment were there was a calmness in the middle of the hoopla… Michael Phelps and little Paul Lovely were sitting in a quiet corner of the media stage. Michael was just being a ‘big brother’, showing Paul the gold Mickey medal, talking to him and giving him words of encouragement. This was just a very special touching moment for this youth that hopefully he will remember. The scope of the logistics of this event for its 45-minute duration was an incredible achievement of logistics. Matt Ouimet (president of Disneyland) was very proud to have this happen at Disneyland as they prepare for the big 50th anniversary next July. |
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