ANAHEIM, Calif., October 5, 2004 - - This morning at Disneyland, America's
three most celebrated swimmers including eight-time Olympic medalist (including
six gold) Michael Phelps, gold medalist Ian Crocker and gold medalist Lenny
Krayzelburg experienced Disneyland like no one else ever has ever before - - by
swimming down Main Street, USA! The three Athens medal-winners participated in a
first-ever “swim meet” on Disneyland 's Main Street, USA in a specially
constructed Olympic-length pool (requiring 30 hours to construct).
The pool (165 ft. long, 21 ft. wide, and 4 ft. deep featuring three swimming
lanes) occupied almost the entire length of Main Street . A swim team from
Southern California (comprised of young swim champions ranging in age from five
to 15) welcomed and cheered on the three famed swimmers and even participated in
a relay and match race with the three athletes.
The visit to the Disneyland Resort culminates the swimmers' cross-country
“Disney's Swim with the Stars” tour. Arriving directly from Athens, Phelps,
Crocker and Krayzelburg participated in a series of personal appearances at
local schools, meeting and greeting hundreds of children, and starring in a
first-of-its-kind, two-hour swimming celebration show in each city.
“Winning the gold in Greece was a dream come true but going on this tour
with Ian and Lenny and meeting the young swimming stars of tomorrow has been
simply incredible,” said Phelps. “It seems only fitting that we end our tour
and Olympic journey at ‘The Happiest Place on Earth.”