Colgate University Athletics

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The Barcelona airport was very busy on our way to Paris; we had an early flight and it departed on time. Upon our arrival at Orly Airport we were greeted by Yannick's friend and former French National Team star, Sophie Kamoun. There was a mass of news/media persons and cameras as well. They love Yannick in France!



We went directly to the Paris Golf and Country Club Pool in order to work a training session as Yannick's preparation continues for the Holland and Germany World Cup events.

Training at Paris Golf and Country Club and interview: VIDEO

Between 3:00PM and 9:00PM we ran around from one TV/media outlet to another in a fantastic Motorcycle Taxi!! We made a stop by the Tour Eiffel and we swayed in the midst of rush hour traffic along the city boulevards that embrace the Seine. There is no better way to view and get around Paris...as long as you survive the journey. We did.  VIDEO

That evening as I laid down to sleep, my mind raced and reflected on a number of special aspects of this trip. Yannick Agnel is by far the highlight. He is a young man dedicated entirely to making a positive difference in this planet as he strives to make the world a better place on a daily basis. He is humble, intelligent, kind and superbly talented. His dedication and work ethic allows him to focus on a number of items that provide balance in his life. He is committed to his university studies, his family, his friends, his work engagements, his civic responsibilities as a well known French citizen and the sport he loves so much.

We had fun celebrating with family and friends at a local restaurant. Click Here.

We enjoyed a little moment of quiet after all was said and done in order to focus on additional training. Click Here.

Article on Yannick

Barcelona with its spectacular breathtaking monuments and its Olympic sites at the top of Mount Juic, witnessed a remarkable World Aquatic Championships that will go down as one of the greatest ever in the history of swimming. The dedicated volunteers that made it all happen had a special positive impact on this world class event.

My reverie brought me back to the walk I took after the closing ceremonies concluded in order to enjoy the beautiful monuments and parks one more time. As I wondered around Planet Water Aquatic Park, the warm sun went to sleep slowly behind Tibidabo, the tallest mountain in the Sierra de Collserola situated to the northwest of the city limits. It was no coincidence that as the sun went down, I found myself in front of Gate #13 in the eastern side of the Olympic Stadium. It was wonderful to see how Gate #13 watches permanently over the Olympic Torch, one of Barcelona's iconic sites. The Olympic torch was made famous during the Opening Ceremonies of the 1992 Olympics when Paralympian Antonio Rebollo shot a flaming arrow towards the cauldron in order to light it. Gate #13 is the entrance to the Olympic Museum of Sport  and it also serves as the Stadium's main entrance.  

Fast forward to 4:25



The thought of looking at Gate #13 as my last image prior to walking down a green path away from the Barcelona Aquatics venues brought a calm and serene smile to my face and a warm cozy feeling to my heart, as I anticipated a happy reunion with my dear Thor Bjorn, Francisco Enrique and Mona back in Hamilton. My favorite lucky #13 once again made perfect mathematical sense; it made me think of my wonderful student-athletes at Colgate University and it brought to a close this enchanted journey.

The next day as I boarded my plane to New York, the gate agent smiled as she informed me that I had received an upgrade for the transatlantic flight......Yeah baby!!!

Please continue to make the world a better place, enjoy life with loved ones and have a glorious day! Go 'Gate!

Ciao,

Fernando

At La Sagrada Familia in Barcelona	New French Colgate Fans
Last practice at World Championships	Yannick ready for his ride on the moto taxi in Paris
Agnel and Canales at the Eiffel Tower	Yannick and Fernando after training session
Gate #13 Guarding the Olympic torch	Practice at the Paris Golf & Country Club

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The last day of the World Aquatic Championships provided a few surprises and brought the most medals for the French National Team with two golds and one silver. Camille Lacourt won the 50 meter backstroke followed by his teammate Jeremy Stravius in 2nd place. The men's 4x100 medley relay finished the competition in the same way by which they started; they won gold in the last race of the Championship to put a gilded note on a fascinating campaign and close the meet.

Team USA edged China for the World title by winning 15 gold medals to China's 14; Russia finished in third place and France in fourth with its best performance ever.

The French National Swimming Federation provided the team with a farewell dinner party at a wonderful restaurant located on Mount Juic overlooking majestic Barcelona. The restaurant's location made me think of how sentries must have watched, centuries ago from such a location in order to spot menacing ships approaching the Kingdom of Catalunya. Tonight we simply reveled on the beauty of the moment and the exquisite views as if were guarding Barcelona's shores, illuminated by the city lights, as one watches over a loved one resting by one's side, in deep sleep. The gentle Mediterranean summer breezes refreshed the evening and gave us one more spectacular exclamation mark to what was already an idyllic setting.

The coaches provided some animated speeches and congratulated a squad that fought with passion and determination in order to represent and exalt "Le Bleu".

Today I will travel to Paris along with Yannick in order to meet with media and satisfy television engagements....I will keep polishing my French.....

Have a glorious day!

Ciao

- Fernando

The French team showing off its medals	Katie Ledecky Named Swimmer of the Year
Coach Canales with Olympic Gold Medalist Tyler Clary.

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The 4 x 200 free relay was won by Team USA while Russia finished 2nd; the 3rd place battle came to a photo finish between France Japan and China. The Chinese won bronze behind Sun Yang's imperial effort to finish the relay at a blistering pace, France was 4th and Japan 5th, all conveniently separated by a few 100ths of a second. It was another fantastic race among giants.

Missy Franklin won the 200 meters back and Katie Ledecky who is only 16, stole the show one more time with a 4th gold medal and world record in the 800 meters free. Miss Ledecky's performance is clearly one of the finest of all time and places her among the best ever! The most difficult races were the ones she won because the top 3 finishers were at world record time. This makes her performance even more formidable.

Today we had time to visit La Sagrada Familia in between sessions. It is a true wonder of the world.
The World Championships come to a close tomorrow with Team USA and China in a tight battle for world aquatic supremacy...what's new? 

Au revoir!

- Fernando

Michael Phelps with FINA President Maglione	Agnel celebrates his 200 free gold
Katie Ledecky swimming to gold and new record	Yannick excited on the pool deck

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Last night was spectacular with a number of historical swims led by American Katie Ledecky and Lotte Fris from Denmark. They destroyed the 1500 meter mark and went head to head until the last 50 meters when Katie was able to secure the gold. Third place finisher Lauren Boyle from New Zealand was at world record pace too. It was one of the greatest battles in a World class swimming event ever witnessed by all.

Yannick Agnel became the first man for France to ever win the 200 meters free at the Olympics and then repeat as world champion a year later. The men's 100 back saw a 1-2 finish for Team USA with Jeremy Stravius from France earning the bronze.

Yannick decided to take the race from the satrt and he led along the entire course by wining in a time of 1:44.2. We made some minor adjustments during warm, a mental tune up being the most important. Yannick stepped up to the blocks as cool as ice then earned his reputation as "Le Squale" devouring the field.

At the bottom are some French interviews on TV and the race itself. I had the adrenaline flowing while being interviewed in French and it was a glorious evening for all swimming fans alike. The show at Palau Saint Jordi was one for the ages; those lucky enough to be there witnessed sports history at its finest!.

Have a glorious day!

Go 'Gate!

Ciao

Fernando

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Last night was sublime with a phenomenal come from behind win for France and Yannick at The World Championships. The Great Phelps paid us a visit before the final and we chatted about everything and anything in the book, keeping the mood light and relaxed. "The Super hero" of aquatic sports gave Yannick a pleasant  and encouraging chat before finding his place in the stands to cheer the Americans contesting the medals.

Team USA was led by Katie Ledecki who won gold in the 400 free and broke the 4-minute barrier making her the first American ever to do so. The American Women had a fantastic final wining gold in the 4x100 free relay.by running down Australia over the last 50 meters.

Needless to say the men's race in itself was a spectacle and the video is below. The USA squad earned a hard fought silver medal and Russia won bronze.

Today the 200 Free qualifying round was contested very well with a 6th place finish for Yannick and a spot in the semifinals from which the top 8 finalists will be chosen.. I am heading to semi finals soon.

Enjoy the pictures and the video, tears of joy were cried by the French and moi.....as they sang La Marseillaise during the medal ceremony.

Have a glorious day and Go 'Gate!

Ciao from Barcelona

Fernando

Katie Ledecky showing off her gold medal	USA goalie trying to stop a Spain shot in water polo

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I made it to Barcelona! This international metropolis founded as a Roman city is the capital of Catalunya and one of the world’s leading cities in commerce, art, education, politics, media, fashion and sport. It is well known for its iconic Basilica I Temple Expiatori de la Sagrada Familia, Antoni Gaudi’s most famous Catalan modernist architectural work, for hosting the 1992 Olympics, the works of Joan Miro I Ferra and for its FC Barcelona, arguably the most prestigious soccer club in the world. Seven of Gaudi’s works have been designated as world heritage sites by UNESCO.

The Palau Saint Jordi at the top of Montjuic is the perfect venue for these FINA World Aquatic Championships. The six aquatic disciplines, water polo, marathon open water swimming, diving, synchronized swimming, high altitude diving (jumping from 30 meters or 100 feet) and swimming pool racing will battle for world titles over a fortnight. Barcelona is a phenomenal city with tremendous experience hosting World Class Sports events. The people working these venues have made sure we feel most welcome.

View images of the Championship HERE

The Planet Water Village is in the middle of an ensemble of aquatic facilities that are located within a one mile radius in order to host Diving, Water Polo, Swimming pool racing and Synchronized Swimming. The Olympic Stadium serves as the center from which all patrons find their way from pool stadium to pool stadium as they walk through an international sports festival were local families and sports fans from all over the planet enjoy multiple venues providing shopping opportunities, amusement park rides, games, artistic expos and musical presentations. The Mediterranean sun shines gently, with a summer bite that keeps the mineral water and gelato vendors very busy.

The swimming championship gets on its way on Sunday with the 4 x 100 meter freestyle relay being the primary event of the day! This premier sprint event will see the medals being contested by defending World Champion Team USA, Olympic Gold Medal Champion Team France, Russia, Brasil and Australia. The athletes are ready as the tensions rise.

After my work was over today, I had the opportunity to stop by the water polo and diving venues and watch some great contests. Later in the evening I had a refreshing swim in the Mediterranean waters and a wonderful walk along the streets of this ancient and regal city.

Tomorrow at the break of dawn I will be at the marathon swimming venue to cheer our swimmers prior to the 25KM race. They will tackle the waves and currents during this grueling six hour marathon in the waters of the Mediterranean (YES …6 hours). Later in the day we will have another pool practice in order to tune the engines one more time and then let the horses run on Sunday! It is time to race!

Enjoy the pictures and please have a glorious day!

Ciao

Fernando

Basilica I Temple Explatori de la Sagrada Familia	The Farm by Joan Miro I Ferra
Another angle of the Basilica	The view from Mont Juic while divers are in the air

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It was a beautiful Sunday evening in Dijon. The full moon was bright and clear; the light dry westerly summer breeze caressed the city “doucement” as the streets bustled with the sounds of tourists, locals and a curious Colgate Swimming Coach looking for a jazz concert. When the Jazz ended I enjoyed “un verre de vins” and listened to salsa music on the main plaza under the stars.

The training sessions have gone as planned. Even during the rest phase of pre-meet preparation swimmers do double sessions in order “to keep the feel” for the water. These double sessions are much easier than the standard rigorous double sessions we do in the middle of the season. These easy work outs are fondly called “baths”; however, the main menu still adds up to 7-10 Kilometers a day, followed by a light gym or core session and a post practice cold tub soak which serves as dessert.

Yesterday’s “bath” for Yannick was outstanding. I will not get into the details but I believe there may only be three people in the world capable to match what Yannick accomplished at practice on Saturday. They are: Yannick, The Great Phelps (who is retired) and the third one I am searching for in earnest…not sure who that may be. Yesterday’s “bath” was in front of a crowd of 2500 loyal, respectful loud fans who made it all that much more special while cheering for “Le Bleu”.

Photo Gallery of Training (in French)

Being in the center of town is great in order to go for walks during the day or after dinner. I certainly plan on visiting Dijon in the future along with Francisco Enrique, Mona and Thor Bjorn. This city has shown me what humanity can do when a strict commitment to urban planning and sustainability is closely knit with an appreciation for life and the well being of all. Dijon has a carved its own little place in my heart.

We are in the process of closing shop here in France. Barcelona we are coming your way on Wednesday. It is time for the show!

It has been a most rewarding training camp and even though I have been fortunate to travel the world and visit magnificent places, Dijon has now climbed at the top of “mes villes préférées du monde”.

I have had a great time coaching here and visiting this marvelous jewel of a city and Capital of Bourgogne. It has been fantastic! The days have been filled with so many activities and adventures but, as my friend Stephen Solomon would say, I made sure “not to have too much Ricard and Creme de Cassis with white wine!”

It is with a humble and grateful heart that I leave Dijon for it has made me feel better about humanity in general. I thank the French National Team Director Monsieur Lionel Horter, all the National Team members and coaches as well as la Federation Francaise de Natation for their hospitality and their commitment to excellence.

Dijon Je suis ravie de vous avoir rencontré!

“The artist is nothing without the gift, but the gift is nothing without work.”
? Émile Zola

Please continue to make the world a better place; enjoy life with those you love and have a glorious day!
Go ‘Gate!!
Ciao
Fernando

Great crowd at the starting blocks for training session	Another great crowd shot with Canales (blue) in the middle on pool deck
Dijon Fountain in one the Plazas	Dijon Palais Ducs de Bourgogne
Notre Dame Cathedral in Dijon

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The World Championship training camp for L' Equipe de France is going very well in the beautiful city of Dijon. It is the capital of the Cote d' Or in the Burgundy region. I have been able to take a couple of long walks around Old Dijon and I have been most impressed by the pristine quality and preservation of the old buildings as well as the immaculate cleanliness of its streets, parks and neighborhoods; this is an honorable manner by which the citizens honor their home. Every time one walks around a corner, a new monument, architectural wonder or picturesque fountain delights one's senses.

The French coaches have been very helpful and have made me feel most welcome during the first few days. My French is rusty but it awakens every day to a new and improved level.

Working with Yannick Agnel is an honor and a privilege. Yannick is a very well educated young man and a fantastic person who is loved by all in France. He spends time with those who warmly greet him on the street, with those who watch his 6'8" frame in awe and stare when we ride the tram to practice and even with those who simply want to get an autograph. He trains with passion and is a complete professional about his business. Yannick's hard work has rendered Olympic Gold and yet he is looking for new heights and challenges to conquer.

The Piscine Olympique de Gran Dijon is a fantastic training center. It hosts over 1200 patrons a day and it maintains the highest standards of hygiene possible in addition to keeping the water in perfect clear conditions with the minimal use of chemicals. It is one of the finest training centers one could wish for and it is the home for the French National Team until we go to Barcelona to compete. It has a scuba diving tank, a warm up pool, a teaching pool, sauna, whirlpools and a state of the art 10 lane 50 meter Olympic standard pool....wow!...a very special health and fitness treasure for a town of 151,000..

Have a glorious day and Go 'Gate!

Ciao

- Fernando Canales  

The Piscine Olympic de Gran Dijon