Several swimmers are candidates for the US Olympic Hall of Fame this year. Fans are part of the process and can vote here: halloffamevoting.teamusa.org/
Team swimmer nominees:
1976 Women's Swimming 4x100m Relay Team
Career Highlights:
The U.S. women’s 4x100m freestyle relay claimed the lone gold medal for the American women at the 1976 Olympic Games. Led by the all-star quartet of Sterkel, Peyton, Boglioli and Babashoff, the American women destroyed the then-world-record of 3:48.80 by almost four seconds, to claim Olympic gold. The U.S. Team finished .68 seconds ahead of the reigning world-record-holding East Germany, who entered the race having won every gold medal but one in those Games.
Team Roster:
Shirley Babashoff
Wendy Bogliolo
Kim Peyton
Jill Sterkel
Jennifer Hooker
Individual swimmer nominees:
Gary Hall Jr.
Career Highlights:
2004 Olympic gold medalist
2000 two-time Olympic gold medalist
2000 set World Record in 50-meter freestyle
2000 Olympic silver medalist
1996 two-time Olympic gold medalist
1996 two-time Olympic silver medalist
Jenny Thompson
Career Highlights:
1992 and 2004 three-time Olympic silver medalist
1991, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2003 and 2004 18-time World champion
1999-2002 broke four World Records
1992, 1996 and 2000 eight-time Olympic gold medalist
2000 Olympic bronze medalist
1993 and 1998 USA Swimming Swimmer of the Year awardee
I would probably go with Jenny Thompson in that case.
As for Phelps I was kind of kidding. Obviously he'll make it in eventually, but I really don't *like* him. Yes, he's one of the best swimmers in the history of the sport, brought a huge amount of positive attention to our sport, and has accomplished many great things with his philanthropy, I absolutely agree. I just think he lacks personality and charisma. Compare him to Peirsol or Lochte who are very outspoken. I know this has nothing to do with his swimming talents but in terms of 'the whole package' I think he's missing a lot. I don't really care about the whole marijuana situation but that wasn't good publicity for him. I can't personally blame him for this, it's more the fault of the Olympic media coverage, but he stole the thunder of some of the other US swimmers who did phenomenally well but were overshadowed.
Yeah, I see what you mean.
Personally, I voted for all of the above, since you could vote for more than one in the "individual" category, and the "team" category is a different vote. But it's the 1976 Women's Relay that I'd really like to see get added to the Hall of Fame, given the context of their win.
I would probably go with Jenny Thompson in that case.
As for Phelps I was kind of kidding. Obviously he'll make it in eventually, but I really don't *like* him. Yes, he's one of the best swimmers in the history of the sport, brought a huge amount of positive attention to our sport, and has accomplished many great things with his philanthropy, I absolutely agree. I just think he lacks personality and charisma. Compare him to Peirsol or Lochte who are very outspoken. I know this has nothing to do with his swimming talents but in terms of 'the whole package' I think he's missing a lot. I don't really care about the whole marijuana situation but that wasn't good publicity for him. I can't personally blame him for this, it's more the fault of the Olympic media coverage, but he stole the thunder of some of the other US swimmers who did phenomenally well but were overshadowed.
Yeah, I see what you mean.
Personally, I voted for all of the above, since you could vote for more than one in the "individual" category, and the "team" category is a different vote. But it's the 1976 Women's Relay that I'd really like to see get added to the Hall of Fame, given the context of their win.
