That's a wrap!

The pools are drained, the swimmers have left, and the Championships are over...I don't know what I'm going to do with myself between now and 2012 when I (hopefully) go and work in Istanbul.

My party last night at Pure was awesome, lots of people turned up to help celebrate with me - even the Manchester University swim team came.

Kirsty Coventry went and watched the Man U game, I was a little jealous but I had more important things to do like send out last minute invitations to some people that I had forgotten like Ryan Lochte and Kebab!

Did you know they are selling the Championship pools? I'm thinking of buying one with my wages but I only got £10 a day and they are rumored to cost a cool £1 million.

As a gesture of thanks the team gave me a World Championship medal, it's great. My friend Gaby lost the one they gave to her - if anyone sees it lying around could you please email me and I'll make sure it gets back to her.

I just want to say a huge thank you to everyone working at the World Swimming Championships that helped me over the past few weeks - Sarah, Gaby, Ellen, Lyndsey, Jo, Carole, Lisa, Keith, Lauren, Kate and James.

These guys put up with my tantrums when I lost my special towel and helped me get all of the great photos that I have posted on my blog and arranged for me to meet a load of athletes and celebrities. Thank you!

See you all around sometime...keep swimming,
Speedy

Happy Birthday to me!!!

Hey guys, today's my 1st birthday!

Fran Halsall gave me some of her birthday cake today..it was yummy mmm....

I had an interview by the pool today. They asked me how I feel about being such a major superstar!

I'm taking it easy today ready for tonight. I'm going to celebrate my birthday at the party at Pure. I will be throwing out some shapes on the dancefloor tonight.

Thanks Andrea for emailing in your question....
The pool is 2 metres deep. I have been for a swim in there and I can't touch the floor!

Also Josh asked what my favourite stroke is...
My favourite stroke is the Doggy Paddle and the Dolphin Kick!

Keep them question comin guys...to speedy@m2008.org

Catch ya soon
Speedy

Tomorrow is the last day...I'm sad!

Great day today,

I almost got my photo with Grant Hackett but he felt intimidated by such a big superstar!

I had to cover this morning in the BBC commentary box, apparently one of the presenters didn't turn up and they needed a suitable substitute and immediately thought of me! How nice, except they seemed to forget that I can't talk!!!

Istanbul won the rights to stage the 2012 World Swimming Championships. I've already put in a request with the Chief Executive, all that I need to do now is brush up on my Turkish...

This is me with some of my posh friends outside the premier lounge -

I had my first glass of Champagne!

I helped Fran celebrate her birthday after she helped Great Britain win bronze, she seemed pleased with the cake I got her, hopefully she'll give me a piece later. Don't forget everyone that it's my birthday tomorrow and I'd like all of you to come and celebrate with me. There is still time to get your ticket for tomorrow.

Don't forget to donate some money to World Swim against Malaria...this is me with one of the fantastic collectors. Her name is Amina, if you see her stop and talk, she's very friendly!

I'm going to bed now to prepare for my last day in Manchester, hope to see you all there tomorrow.

Speedy

Keep your emails coming in to speedy@m2008.org, I promise I'll answer a few tomorrow.

For more information on tickets please go to: www.manchester2008.com/tickets For bookings call Ticketmasters: 0871 230 9864 or book online. www.ticketmaster.co.uk.

What's going on today?

Hi Guys,

Grant Hackett is coming in later today for a press conference, from what I've heard though the press turn-out won't be as good as my press conference on Thursday. But we shouldn't compare an international superstar like me to someone who won a few gold medals, he just can't compete! I'll try to get a photo with him finally

I'm looking forward to the heats and finals tonight, it's going to be awesome - Fran Halsall is going in the 50m Free and the 4x100m Free and hopefully she can get a gold for her birthday.

Also the winning city of the 2012 World Swimming Championships (25m) will be announced later on today. As soon as it is, I'm going to put my name down to be the mascot. Hopefully they'll see the international appeal I hold and the number of fans that I will bring in. I'll let you know how my audition goes at a later date!

Don't forget to keep sending your questions into speedy@m2008.org and I'll try to answer some later today.

I better go, they're calling me up on pool-deck as we speak!
Speedy

Look forward to seeing you all tonight for the finals - if you haven't got your tickets yet don't worry, I heard they just released some more. And don't forget Man City fans are entitled to buy one ticket and get one free for the rest of the weekend. Click here for details.

P.S. Sorry there are no pictures my official photographer is taking a break, but there will be some exclusive backstage ones later today!!

For more information on tickets please go to: www.manchester2008.com/tickets For bookings call Ticketmasters: 0871 230 9864 or book online.

Exclusive info for all my fans...

Hi folks,


I've got some exclusive news that I want all of you to know about, this news is so exclusive that I'm probably going to get in trouble for telling you.


All Manchester City fans can get a 2 for 1 ticket deal to come and watch the swimming over the the weekend. For more information click here - it would be especially great if you could join me on Sunday for my birthday celebrations, and speaking of birthday's it's Fran Halsall's tomorrow. Maybe we could have a joint party at the M.E.N. Arena during the sessions!


I have received lots of questions since I gave you all my email address earlier today, I'll pick a few good ones to answer:







Hi Speedy, Who is your favourite swimmer and why? Dan from Liverpool


-Hello Dan, thanks for emailing in. That's a tough question, especially since I now know most of them personally. But I would have to say Eric the Eel, what an inspiration.

Speedy, I want to get backstage with you, can you get me a ticket? Alice from Glasgow



-I'm sorry Alice, they won't let me give away any tickets because they are so hard to come by and like gold dust. But if you go to the link at the bottom of this post you might just be lucky enough to get ahold of one yourself. But be 'speedy' and get them now because there aren't many left!!












I'll answer some more questions tomorrow, email them to speedy@m2008.org



I checked out the colouring competition that Xerox are running earlier, and I must say you guys sure know how to keep within the lines!! Keep up the good work. If you haven't entered yet there is still time, just grab a speedy picture from one of the merchandise stands on the concourse at the M.E.N. Arena, colour it in and then hand it in at the Manchester Airport stand in Championship Square and I'll judge the winner on Sunday.





Grant Hackett has finally been spotted. He mad an official appearance for Speedo earlier in the day when journalists took to the water in the new LZR Racer suit - what a sight!



Spotted: Daly Thompson in the British Swimming box, unfortunately I had none of my fishy friends with me so I couldn't be in the photo with him but I got one of him on his own.

I'll post again in the morning, in the mean time keep on splashing-

Speedy

For more information on tickets please go to: www.manchester2008.com/tickets For bookings call Ticketmasters: 0871 230 9864 or book online.

Making mischief...

Good afternoon swim fans,



Another hectic morning in Manchester. I had my morning poolside appearance to make, the atmosphere in the arena is superb, it's nice to see you all come and support the swimmers I know they all really appreciate it!



I met a lot of teams on their way in this morning to wish them all good luck before their races. They seemed pleased to meet me and I must admit there were a few arguments as to who would get to take a photograph with me first - but we soon sorted that out!








Then I went up onto the concourse level of the arena - lots of children for me to meet and I was so thrilled as there is nothing more important to me than educating the future generations in proper swordfish-human relations!



Not much gossip to report on this morning - except that I heard a rumour going around that there are two Speedys. Can I just confirm for you all now that there is, and will forever be, only ONE Speedy.

If you have any questions the nice guys in the media centre have set me up with an email account so anything you want to ask me I'll try to answer in my next few blogs: email your questions to speedy@m2008.org.

I must just give a shout out to the volunteers who are collecting money for World Swim against Malaria up on the concourse level of the arena...it's a really good cause and I urge you all to reach into your pockets and give a little.

Talk later.
Speedy

For more information on tickets please go to: www.manchester2008.com/tickets For bookings call Ticketmasters: 0871 230 9864 or book online. http://www.ticketmaster.co.uk/.

All in a day's work

Hi Guys,

I've had a really fun evening. After going onto pool deck at the start of the evening session with Stephen Parry and Jo Lloyd I had my very first press conference. The world's swimming press were in attendance and there were some real media sharks. Luckily I learnt some tips from Kirsty Coventry last night who gave everyone some cracking quotes...hopefully I'll get a mention in the nationals tomorrow.


Afterwards I made some appearances around the arena. Did you know that they are selling Speedy t-shirts and key chains...now you can all take away a memory of me for your travels, and don't forget to buy something for your friends and family too - once I hit the big time these mementos will be worth a fortune on ebay!




I met the St Lucia team as well - good luck guys in the rest of the competition. Here is me with Jean-Luc Augler and Julien Brice.










I also checked out the food bar up on the concourse and found out that they are serving swordfish, can you believe it? I'm going to have to talk to someone about this tomorrow, but right now I am heading off with Liam Tancock and Becky Adlington to celebrate their gold medals.


Speak to you all tomorrow.

I hope you have your tickets because it's going to be a great morning...I'll see you on pool deck bright and early.

Speedy


For more information on tickets please go to: www.manchester2008.com/tickets For bookings call Ticketmaster: 0871 230 9864 or book online.

Out and about with Speedy...

Hi All,

I saw a load of you down at Championship Square today - isn't it great!! There is so much to do and a load of freebies!!

James Hickman showed me around the Speedo exhibit and I got to see his 5 gold World Championship medals - pretty impressive. Of course if swordfish were allowed to compete I would have given him a run (or should I say swim) for his money!!

I can't believe I've been talking to you for almost 2 days now and I have forgotten to mention that I am on Facebook. I've got lots of fans that have already signed up, but I'm always looking for some more friends...it can be lonely sometimes being the only swordfish in Manchester :( To join my gang click here.

On the plus side as I was hanging around outside the M.E.N. earlier I bumped into BBC's Claire Balding. I know she is used to dealing with horses but I must tell you she is great with swordfish too!! We shared a couple of jokes and had a quick picture - I'll be sure to watch her on TV when I get one installed in my pool!

My little fish friends tell me that Swimming legend Grant Hackett arrived today in Manchester so I went out and about to have a look for him...no luck though, he seems to be keeping a low profile!

Thought I'd share with you a picture of the Media Operations Team. They do a fab job of keeping all of the journalists informed and happy!! Well done guys, keep up the good work. They're the ones that are making this blog possible because I use their computer to write this blog to you all.

Speak soon

Speedy

Don't forget to buy your tickets for tomorrow!!

For more information on tickets please go to: www.manchester2008.com/tickets For bookings call Ticketmasters: 0871 230 9864 or book online. http://www.ticketmaster.co.uk/.

Day 2 is already underway...

Hi Guys,

I was here really late last night so I didn't get a chance to post anything...I promise to be more efficient from here on out!

I met the BBC commentary team this morning - Adrian Moorehouse, Andy Jameson, Sharon Davies and Karen Pickering. They were all looking great despite the ridiculously early time we all have to be here.





If you want to meet me in person later today for a photo - sorry I don't do autographs - head on down to Championship Square (right next to Urbis) for 2.30pm where I will be making an appearance at the Manchester Airport exhibition. I look forward to meeting you all.


Here's a photo of me and 2 swimmers that I bumped into on their way to the warm-up pool...and here's another with the kind staff at the M.E.N.

Make sure you have your tickets for tonight's finals, there are a lot of celebs coming and you wouldn't want to miss them. Back-stage gossip has it that Chris Hoy and some other British cyclists will be showing up, as well as James Cracknell's wife,TV presenter Bev Turner will be showing up with her brother and ex-British Olympic swimmer Adrian Turner...so keep your eyes peeled! I'll try to get a photo with them if I'm not too busy.

Before I forget, I've got my own colouring competition going on. You can collect the picture and some crayons from the programme sellers on the concourse. The pictures are provided by Xerox, and I think they have done a fine job capturing my likeness! Colour it in, and hand your entry in at the Manchester Airport stand on Championship Square. I’ll be choosing the winner on Sunday. I'm heading back upstairs now to watch a bit of swimming and make a few appearances...don't forget to come and get a picture with me later today at the Manchester Airport stand in Championship Square at 2.30pm.

Speak to you soon,

Speedy

Get tickets NOW!!!

For more information on tickets please go to: www.manchester2008.com/tickets For bookings call Ticketmasters: 0871 230 9864 or book online. http://www.ticketmaster.co.uk/.

Great so far...

What a day, although it is not over yet! I'm just taking a quick break before I have to make another appearance…it's hard being so famous!

If you were here at the M.E.N. for the morning session you know what I am talking about when I say how great those swimmers are, if you weren't why not?

The Opening Ceremony was so much fun - it was great to see a full arena with all of those glow sticks. It reminded me of when I'm in the sea and all of the glowing jelly fish surround me…truly breathtaking.

I met a great Italian swimmer this morning - even though he's a Roma supporter!! Massmiliano Rosolini is his name. He was doing an interview with Manchester United Radio before the big match this evening and I managed to grab him for a quick photo.

Speaking of photo's I also grabbed Larsen Jensen on his way to training - what a nice guy. I told him that to really experience England you have to have a nice cup of tea, I think I'll take him around Manchester one day soon and show him the sights - make sure he's doing it properly!

I heard a rumour that Miss Austria was around somewhere, I think I’ll have a look for her a bit later… I better get back Kirsty Coventry just got a World Record, I’ll check it out get back to you.

Speak soon,

Speedy

For more information on tickets please go to: www.manchester2008.com/ticketsFor bookings call Ticketmasters: 0871 230 9864 or book online.www.ticketmaster.co.uk.

Welcome!

Hi Everyone,
It’s Speedy here. I thought I’d take some time away from the World Swimming Championships to bring you an exclusive backstage look at what happens out of the public eye whilst the Championships are in town.

Be prepared for lots of gossip and inside info as well as behind-the-scenes photos that will leave you begging for a backstage pass of your very own.

The heats are underway at the moment and I’ve already been on pool deck…they told me it would be amazing when I signed up for this gig but it really is something you have to see for yourself.

Make sure you buy yourself a ticket for tonight’s opening ceremony, I think there may be a few tickets left if you are really lucky but don’t because wait tickets are selling out by the minute. I was at rehearsals for it yesterday and let me tell you a little secret…it’s going to be amazing. Plus, I’ll be there.

I’ll write again shortly.

Speedy

The Championships are on in the M.E.N. Arena in Manchester from now until Sunday 13th - Come down and meet me!
For more information on tickets please go to: www.manchester2008.com/tickets For bookings call Ticketmasters: 0871 230 9864 or book online. www.ticketmaster.co.uk.