2010 Pan Pacific Swimming Championships

[bud simpson]

Kind of slow this week for autographing events.
Just reading the newspaper when I noticed that some swimming event was happening close to where I live.
It was only a 10 minute drive, so I said why not.
I'm not much into getting sport celebrity autographs. To me most of them are jerks and tend to treat the fan like scum.
Because most of them are under contract with some company and also that they charge rediculous prices at autograph shows I just can't feel any respect for these people. My god! Don't they make enough money playing the sport?
Anyway I tend to feel that in sports the ice skaters, gymnists and swimmers are the nicest to fans.
Not only was the distance short but the event was being held in a high scholl swimming pool. So I figured access to the athelets would be good.
There were two differnt times for the event. A morning pliminary event and an the evening final's.
I went to both because I figured I could get everyone I wanted covering both. It was very easy and most of all there were NO OTHER DEALERS/EBAYERS AROUND. So I had a very good expirence and I actually had fun.
Here are the athelets I got:

Michael Phelps
Natalie Coughlin
Kara Lynn Joyce
Jessica Hardy
Christine Magnuson
Allison Schmidt
Morgan Scroggy
Missy Franklin
Dana Vollmer
Katie Hoff
Amanda Beard
Peter Vanderkaay
Ryan Lochte
David Plummer
Tim Phillips
Cullen Jones
AND
Australian Swimmers:
Marieke Guehrer
Emily Seebohm

As you can tell I mainly concentrated on team USA. The event runs until this Saturday so I might go back on concentrate of some of the swimmers from the other country's.
Of all the swimmers Phelps was the most difficult to get. In the morning event I noticed Phelps wasn't arriving or leaving the same way the other swimmers were. Latter security, who were so nice and accomendating to the fans whispered to me where Phelps was sneaking in. Security actually liked the !2X18 photo I had for Phelps. NO ONE ELSE had any kind of memorbilia. Anyway, Phelps was arriving and leaving from the back of the high school. I went to the back and again I had no problem with security. Phelps arrived with a couple of bodyguards and he wore a hoodie to disguse himself. The two bodyguards tried to intercept me but after Phelps looked around and saw it was only me he said it was ok.
He personalized my photo writing: "To John, Thanks for the support. 8 win gold 2008 Summer Olympics. Michael Phelps"
As far as I know I'm the only one that got him because while he signed my photo some screaming girls tried to run up but security said "That's it! He's done" and rushed him right in.
It was a good day for me and it's these rare occasions that make the autographing fun. Also not having to deal with the pushing and shoving from the dealers/ebayers was another bonus.
Wish everyday can be this good.

[James]

I've always found athletes to be good as well, compared to other sports here they are much nicer, and nearly always happy to sign etc..

Congrats, especially on Phelps!

[Jaffer]

Congrats bud. Natalie Coughlin seems very nice. By any chance, did you happen to notice if there was a beautiful Australian swimmer named Stephanie Rice there? She is like Australia's Michael Phelps and would be a great addition to your collection.

[osiris]

Ohh great successes!

I see Rebecca Addlington made the 800m freestyle finals yesterday, brilliant news. She's from the same town as me

[bud simpson]

Thanks for the names.
I'm going back tonight to try to get them and maybe some of the other swimmers from the other countries.

[James]

Adlington would be a good one to get, she has promise for the 2012 Olympics!

[DrWhoAutographs]

Wow, congrats on a great success! He seems like a decent guy so glad that you could get the huge pic done, could I see a scan please? It sounds great!

[bud simpson]

Sorry,
You don't know how much I would love to post up my photos but I don't have a scanner nor a digital camera. However I hope to get a camera very soon. Just as soon as I do I will go back and post up some photos.