London 2012 Tickets Tours Hotels: Michael Phelps set to retire?

London Olympic Tours - travel with the experts

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At Spyns were have planned 5, 7, and 10-Day Olympic tours for travellers who want the best Olympic experience in at the London Summer Games. The Men’s 100m Freestyle Final will be on the afternoon of August 1st. The Games begin on July 27th and run until August 12th. We have arranged hotel suites, will be giving guided tours, have VIP access into some of London’s most famous sights, to name a few. If you would like more information/detailed itineraries on our luxury 5, 7, and 10-Day tours feel free to contact me at henry@london-olympiad.com.

Michael Phelps thinking to retire after 2012 London Olympics: Swimming News

Michael Phelps, who is America’s top most swimmer for the upcoming world stage of 2011 World Championship and the 2012 London Olympics, is deciding to retire at an age when most individuals try to settle into their practical lives.

North Baltimore’s Phelps, which speaking to the media, is putting his swimming suit in a drawer after the 2012 London Olympics, as he intends to create his interest in something else.

The 14-time Olympic Games gold medallist, Michael, explained that he has an aim to accomplish more in the pool, but there is not much time left. Nevertheless, Phelps ensured that he will try to make a splash at the upcoming world events, as these will be his final events.

The 25-year-old Phelps’s decision is said to be driven by his upsetting performances during 2011. At first, Phelps lost his events of 200m IM and 400m IM from Ryan Lochte at the 2011 USA Grand Prix Series in Austin. Then, he enhanced his performance at the fourth stop of USA Grand Prix in Indianapolis, conquering five gold medals, but failed to retain his position in the 200m butterfly event at the Eric Namesnik Michigan Grand Prix during April 2011.

This was his first defeat in the 200m butterfly event in ten years. Phelps said, "I wasn't too pleased with what happened there. It's frustrating, losing the streak I had in 200-fly."

"That was a streak I wanted to keep throughout my career. I think it was a good thing for me to have now, something I can use as a wake-up call heading into worlds. I will use it as fuel and motivation to be in the shape I want to be in — and need to be in — next time I compete," He added.

With the decision concerning his retirement, Phelps is left only with three championships including the Charlotte UltraSwim Grand Prix in May, 2011 World Championships in July and the 2012 Olympics.

Furthermore, Phelps’s decision will have a severe affect on USA Swimming, as they might lose the most dynamic athlete in the history of swimming and their medal tally after Phelps’s retirement.
 

Spyns is an active travel company based in Whistler, BC (Canada). For more information about Spyns and our package tours to the 2012 London Summer Olympic Games, including London Olympics hotels, London 2012 tickets, and summer games VIP access, please visit our websites http://www.london-olympiad.com/ http://www.london2012-tours.com/ and http://www.london-tours-2012.com/ or call us toll-free at 1.888.825.4720 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting            1.888.825.4720      end_of_the_skype_highlighting begin_of_the_skype_highlightin. www.spyns.com.

London 2012 Olympics: why you should buy tickets for swimming's morning sessions

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At Spyns we have small intimate tours that will cover the whole swimming schedule, for the opening ceremony on the 27^th July until the last day of swimming on the 4^th August. And if you want to stick around to the closing ceremony on the 12^th August, we are more than happy to have you. Hotels, tickets, and London attractions will all be included in our tickets. Get in contact with me at henry@london-olympiad.com for information on our Gold, Silver, and Bronze tour options, or have a look at our website http://www.london-olympiad.com/

Mulling over Olympic tickets and the 2012 schedule already, in particular the swimming events? Wondering if morning heats and sessions are worth the money in the likelihood that the finals are going to be over subscribed?

You may look at the schedule and see five session events in the space of an hour and think is it worth it. The swimmers will race and be gone in a flash. Not so. Go. You won’t regret it.

You’ll be watching athletes who’ve toiled for the last four years just to get to the Aquatics Centre. Of course, some like Michael Phelps and Ryan Lochte will breeze into the semi-final and finals of their events.

But for the rest, racing to get one of the eight lanes on offer will be their own Olympic final. You’ll witness their own personal dreams.

As Steve Parry, Britain’s former Olympian turned BBC pundit, says: “People are at their best on that one day every four years so it is a great chance to see them in action before the finals.

“There is an awful lot that goes on in the morning heats and it is just exciting to see a host of different nations.”

These sessions are still likely to be filled to the rafters with patriotic Britons and the swimming fraternity. There may even be a huge upset or two. The fact of the matter is that complacency comes at a price at the Olympics.

Parry, then aged 27 and the world No 5, thought he would do enough to qualify in the morning heats at the 2004 Games in Athens.

“I made the semi by 4/100ths of a second,” he recalls. “I thought I would easily make it through to the final but finished sixth in my heat and qualified last overall. I just had the afternoon to sort my head out.”

The Briton came back that night and qualified for the final from lane eight, edging out Phelps to qualify fastest. The final saw him return return home with bronze, the first British swimming medal since Graeme Smith, Parrry’s team-mate at Stockport Metro, took bronze in the 1500m freestyle at Atlanta in 1996.

Parry backs up the notion that there are relatively few duff swimming sessions at an Olympiad.

“There was only one event that was considered a non-event at the last Olympics and that was Rebecca Adlington in the 800m freestyle where she smashed the world record.”

And what of Parry’s event? There’s no question that Phelps will be overwhelming favourite for a third gold on day three of the meet (ticket code SW008).

“It is his best event and he won it at the 2004 and 2008 Olympics. He beat me in the event aged 15 which was outrageous so I fully expect him to win at 2012.”

British Swimming also realise there a number of high-profile athletes with decisions to make with the schedule now set in stone. Those include Hannah Miley, Fran Halsall and Rebecca Adlington, who is considering a four-pronged medal attack.

David Sparkes, British Swimming’s chief executive, says: “Just to make the final of the Olympic Games you have to be close to your very best. To make the final of the world championship is similar but not quite the same.

“There have been athletes over the years who have medal favourites who have subsequently slipped up in the morning. Cruising is not an option at the Games.”

Still need to mull over morning session tickets?

Spyns is an active travel company based in Whistler, BC (Canada). For more information about Spyns and our package tours to the 2012 London Summer Olympic Games, including London Olympics hotels, London 2012 tickets, and summer games VIP access, please visit our websites http://www.london-olympiad.com/ http://www.london2012-tours.com/ and http://www.london-tours-2012.com/ or call us toll-free at 1.888.825.4720. http://www.spyns.com/

Michael Phelps gives Ian Thorpe support. Will you be there to see them battle each other?

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With Ian Thorpe looking to compete in the 100m and 200m, Michael Phelps has given him full support as the two greats look to face each other in mid 2012. Spyns will be offering 5, 7, and 10 day luxury tours spanning the 17 days of the Olympics.

Michael Phelps is looking forward to a showdown at the London Olympics against Ian Thorpe, according to the American's coach, Bob Bowman. He was reacting to the Australian's announcement he will return to competitive swimming this year.

"I welcome Ian back to the sport," said Bowman of Australia's greatest Olympian. "His presence will only increase the interest and enthusiasm for swimming and we look forward to seeing him back on deck soon. He is one of the true greats and it will be fun to have him back in the mix for London."

After winning five Olympic gold medals, Thorpe retired in October 2006 at the age of 24 citing glandular fever and a lack of motivation. The news of his return has the swimming world salivating over the prospect of the Australian competing against Phelps, who has won 14 Olympic golds. But at a press conference in Sydney, the 28-year-old played down talk of an individual rematch against the American – whom he defeated in the 200m freestyle at the 2004 Athens games in a showdown labelled the "race of the century" – insisting that his sole aim is to qualify for the 4x100m and 4x200m relays. But the Australian was careful not to rule out the possibility of qualifying for individual events.

The obvious question is how he will measure up against Phelps, who is three years his junior. "You say there's a rivalry – I think of the American team as my friends as well. We wish them well, but not too well, [that] can be the official message," said Thorpe.

Rumours of Thorpe's return to the sport had been in overdrive since September after reports that he had been spotted in training. The star said he had been trying to keep his return a secret, asking his friends to "lie through their teeth" as he took time to make up his mind about reviving his career. "I was really sneaky about how I did my training. I've been swimming at eight different pools so that I wouldn't turn up to the same pool twice in a row."

How fast – or slow – Thorpe is swimming will remain a secret as he refused to reveal his current times. He said only that he has five kg to lose and is "swimming faster than when I begun, which is a very good sign because I was actually pretty bad".

Lord Coe claimed that a visit to the London Olympic Park late last year "tipped the balance" in Thorpe's decision, and the Australian did admit that seeing the pool in the Aquatics Centre had inspired him. "It was an extraordinary venue, and I could actually taste it," he said. "I haven't felt like swimming like that for a very long time."

"I never thought that I'd be swimming in a competitive way again. I'm very glad that I am. I'm glad I spent four years away from the pool. I needed those four years."

"The level of expectation that's on me [now] is enormous, it's probably only outweighed by my own expectations, and I won't want to let people down. I don't want to let myself down."

Many in Australia questioned whether financial gain was motivating a man whose sponsor, Virgin Blue, opened the press conference to announce his return. Thorpe rejected those accusations, insisting: "I'm not motivated by money. If I was, I wouldn't have stopped swimming and especially going through the amount of training that I have of late, my drive is for performance and that's it – that's how it works."

After registering with Fina for drug testing today Thorpe will be allowed to return to competition as early as November this year, giving him just nine months of competitive swimming to prepare for the 2012 Olympics.

Spyns is an active travel company based in Whistler, BC (Canada). For more information about Spyns and our package tours to the 2012 London Summer Olympic Games, including London Olympics hotels, London 2012 tickets, and summer games VIP access, please visit our websites http://www.london-olympiad.com/ http://www.london2012-tours.com/ and http://www.london-tours-2012.com/ or call us toll-free at 1.888.825.4720. www.spyns.com.

Ian Thorpe makes comeback, targets London Olympics

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Spyns clients will be interested to know that Michael Phelps will have some competition in the pool from Australian Olympic medallist Ian Thorpe, set to compete in the 100m and 200m freestyle. Spyns offers luxury small tours for the London Olympics, hotel, tickets, transport, and guides inclusive.

Ian Thorpe, Australia's most successful Olympian, ended months of speculation by announcing his return to the pool with the intention of swimming at next year's London Games on Wednesday.

The 28-year-old, nicknamed Thorpedo, quit competition in 2006 after a glittering career in which he captured nine Olympic medals -- five gold, three silver and a bronze -- at the 2000 and 2004 Games along with 11 world championship titles. I never thought I would be swimming in a competitive way again but I am glad that I am, said Thorpe. I have spent four years away from the pool and I needed those four years.

Thorpe said he had registered for the drug-testing regime on Wednesday as he was required to do nine months before beginning competition.

At the height of his career, Thorpe was the greatest middle distance freestyler of all time, he was never beaten in the 400 metres and only once over 200, but he said he would now target the relays and the 100 and 200 freestyle.

Spyns is an active travel company based in Whistler, BC (Canada). For more information about Spyns and our package tours to the 2012 London Summer Olympic Games, including London Olympics hotels, London 2012 tickets, and summer games VIP access, please visit our websites http://www.london-olympiad.com/ http://www.london2012-tours.com/ and http://www.london-tours-2012.com/ or call us toll-free at 1.888.825.4720. www.spyns.com.

Ian Thorpe Olympic comeback. Will he be there?

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Spyns clients will be interested to know Ian Thorpe is eying up an Olympic come back. With Micheal Phelps a favourite needing some competition it could make the Games interesting.

MOMENTS after ending speculation about his own future, London Olympic aspirant Geoff Huegill hoped he had also helped Ian Thorpe make up his mind about a swimming comeback.

Huegill, 31, confirmed yesterday that he had the 2012 Games in his sights after making a stunning return to the pool. His well-documented ''from flab to fab'' comeback was one of the great feel-good stories - and he hopes to add another chapter at his third Olympics.

But Huegill also wants another former world champion by his side next year. ''Absolutely. I hope I have ignited a fire in his [Thorpe's] belly,'' said the champion butterflyer. ''Hopefully he will swim on and want to be a relay swimmer [at London].''

Thorpe has been spotted training in Sydney and been in close contact with national head coach Leigh Nugent in recent months, adding to speculation he may return after his 2006 retirement. Huegill believed Thorpe's return would push the sometimes maligned Australian men's swimming team to greater heights before London.

The men began to answer their critics with an encouraging display at the Delhi Commonwealth Games.

However, they were still overshadowed by their female teammates who claimed 16 of Australia's 22 gold medals in the pool.

''A swimmer of his talent will lift the spirits of the swim team two or three notches,'' Huegill said of Thorpe. ''And it [Thorpe's return] would definitely make those younger kids look over their shoulder which ultimately means they have to swim faster if they are going to secure their spot [on the Games team].

''That's one of the best things about a guy like him lurking around in the background - I am just grateful he doesn't do butterfly.''

Thorpe has not yet applied to return to drug testing - something he must do nine months before he intends to compete. He would have to apply by June if he wanted to be eligible to compete at next year's London Olympic trials.

The men's team has had its share of critics - especially when a 31-year-old Huegill and possibly Thorpe, 28, are needed to bolster its ranks. But Huegill defended his team's depth.

''After having an amazing men's team that we had in 2000, it was always going to be hard for the younger guys to fill those shoes,'' he said. ''But one of the most exciting things is that none of the positions in the team is a dead certainty - you still have to fight for your spot.''

Huegill admitted it would have been ''very easy'' to walk away after his Delhi success that included two gold and a silver. But Huegill admitted he would be kicking himself if he hadn't rated his comeback against the ultimate gauge in London - American superstar Michael Phelps.

''I know this is going to be my opportunity to take on the best in the world like Michael Phelps,'' he said. ''I don't want to waste this opportunity that I have got.''

Spyns is an active travel company based in Whistler, BC (Canada). For more information about Spyns and our package tours to the 2012 London Summer Olympic Games, including London Olympics hotels, London 2012 tickets, and summer games VIP access, please visit our websites http://www.london-olympiad.com/ http://www.london2012-tours.com/ and http://www.london-tours-2012.com/ or call us toll-free at 1.888.825.4720.



Will Michael Phelps be the best in 2012?

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Spyns clients are excited to have pool side seats reserved to see their favourite swimmer Michael Phelps in the 2012 London Olympic Games. Critics comment on Phelps' recent performances and with Australian 6 time gold medallist Ian Thorpe looking to make a comeback, Michael title could be under pressure.

AUSTIN, Texas — Michael Phelps' 2010 ended with the echoes of his coach saying he'd been surpassed as the best swimmer in the world.

So welcome to 2011, when Phelps tries to shut out his subpar year and start preparing for the 2012 Olympics.

Phelps said Thursday he's putting aside all distractions, including his budding golf game, to start preparing for the world championships later this year and the London Olympics.

Everything starts Friday when he gets in the pool at the Austin Grand Prix at the University of Texas where he'll swim six events over three days.

Phelps will race five times against Ryan Lochte, who got the best of him at last year's national championships and dominated the short-course world championships to emerge as Phelps' chief rival for London.

"Just getting in here and getting some races under my belt is the No. 1 step. Training could be better, could be worse. I'm starting to feel a little bit better in the water. Being able to feel the water is going to better in a racing environment, especially with some the guys here I'll be able to race against."

Guys like Lochte, who beat Phelps in the 200 individual medley and the 200 backstroke at the national championships. Lochte set the only two individual world records last year and won all five individual races he entered at the short course championships.

Phelps' coach, Bob Bowman, said he looking at the Grand Prix races as training for Phelps, not necessarily competition with Lochte.

"Michael's traditionally got a lot out of swimming and racing hard in meets," Bowman said. 'He comes out of it and trains a lot better when we get home. I'm looking forward to that."

Bowman pursed his lips when reminded of his comment last year that Phelps was not the best swimmer in the world in 2010.

"I'm always trying to push him ... that's why I said that," Bowman said. "But when you look at what he's done already, he's the greatest of all time even if he walks out the door and never takes another stroke. For him to even be here is a plus. To be in here with some goals and even motivated to swim fast, is even better."

Bowman has started counting down the days to the Olympic trials and reminds Phelps regularly that the weeks are starting to fly by.

"It's going to be here before we know it," Phelps said. "Everybody knows it's time to start focusing, buckling down and getting ready for it. It's hard to believe Beijing was 2 years ago."

Phelps said he has yet to set an event schedule for what he expects to swim at the 2012 Olympics.

Phelps picked a good place to kick-start his Olympic drive. The Texas pool is where he set his first world record in the 200 butterfly in 2001 when he was 15 years old.

As soon as they walked in the building, swimmer and coach looked to make sure Phelps' name and time of 1 minute, 54.92 seconds were still on the board of pool records.

"This is kind of where it all started," Phelps said.

Other swimmers have questioned if in fact Phelps does have anything left to prove after winning 14 career Olympic gold medals, including his incredible haul of eight in 2008.

"If I didn't have goals I wouldn't have come back and gone another four years," Phelps said. "There's still things in this sport I want to accomplish and I know how hard that's going to be."

As for that golf game he loves so much? Those clubs will lucky to get a peek out of the closet for the next 18 months.

"We'll retire the clubs for a little bit while we get back on track with swimming. I have my whole life to golf and try to master that sport," Phelps said. "The clock is running out and it's time to put all the focus on one thing."

Spyns is an active travel company based in Whistler, BC (Canada). For more information about Spyns and our package tours to the 2012 London Summer Olympic Games, including London Olympics hotels, London 2012 tickets, and summer games VIP access, please visit our websites http://www.london-olympiad.com/ http://www.london2012-tours.com/ and http://www.london-tours-2012.com/ or call us toll-free at 1.888.825.4720.