AUBURN, Ala. - The president of the International Olympic Committee picked two athletes to stand out in Athens, Greece, come August: track star Marion Jones and swimmer Michael Phelps.
When the Ravens met the Tennessee Titans in an NFL playoff game, Phelps was the honorary captain, the guy in khakis standing alongside linebacker Ray Lewis and quarterback Steve McNair.
Those aren't the neatest things that have happened to the 18-year-old at the start of what could be a most memorable Olympic year.
Phelps and 17 teammates from the North Baltimore Aquatic Club will be competing today and tomorrow at Auburn University, added starters as the defending NCAA men's champions take on Southern California, and their strong women's teams compete.
When was the last time the Tigers added an outside club to a dual meet of this caliber?
"It's probably the first time I have ever done something like this," said David Marsh, the Auburn coach since 1990.
Marsh is one of NBAC coach Bob Bowman's best friends. When Kevin Clements' NCAA eligibility was done here, Marsh steered him to the NBAC, where he has become the second-fastest American ever in the 200 individual medley.
NBAC teammate Emily Goetsch, the reigning national champion in the 100 butterfly, delayed her enrollment at Southern Cal until later this year, with the blessing of USC coach Mark Schubert.
Those links are vital, but Bowman and the rest of the NBAC traveling party know that having the hottest swimmer in the world on your roster opens doors.
Schubert was the head Olympic coach of the U.S. men in 2000, when Phelps made his international debut. Marsh headed the American staff at the world championships last summer, when Phelps stamped himself as the fastest all-around swimmer ever and a serious threat to match the biggest medal haul in Olympic history, the seven gold medals won by Mark Spitz in 1972.
"To be the first club invited down here by David Marsh is pretty big," Phelps said. "To be respected that much as a team, to be able to come to a meet like this is priceless. Having as many national team members and world championship medalists as we're going to have this weekend, this is going to be fun."
Phelps will compete in two individual events and a relay both today and tomorrow. With Australian rival Ian Thorpe ending his foray into the 200 IM, the initial race here could provide a sneak peak at the Olympic medal stand.
