hi all, I'm writing from Italy. Hope not to be politically incorrect, you know, sometimes one uses wrong expressions which may be offensive without knowing it - English is not my language.
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My question: has someone understood why there are no black swimmers at the top of the world rankings? is there a physiologic reason? Thank you Antonio
Hello, here is my experience with swimming.
As a black woman growing up in Chicago, swimming wasn't mentioned too much in our household. Even though I was raised in a middle class family and my parents could afford lessons, my brother and I never expressed interest in learning. We didn't have a pool and the local park didn't have one.
One of my earliest memories of ever having a swim lesson was at day camp at the Y. I remember the instructor not having much patience and being a shy and nervous little girl, that made me not want to try anymore. I went to a private, integrated high school and we didn't have a pool. I ended up on the basketball and track and field teams. My interest in swimming didn't pick up until later in life. Now that I'm in my 40s and trying to learn, I wish I would have tried again at an earlier age.
Not too long ago, a radio station had a discussion that one of the reasons some black women don't swim is because of their hair. The opinions were mixed. A lot of maintenance is needed to take care of our hair whether it's natural or relaxed and a trip to the salon can cost a lot of money.
I'm proud that my 15 year old nephew and his brothers are good swimmers because of their mother. Her side of the family go fishing frequently so knowing how to swim is a must.
Hello, here is my experience with swimming.
As a black woman growing up in Chicago, swimming wasn't mentioned too much in our household. Even though I was raised in a middle class family and my parents could afford lessons, my brother and I never expressed interest in learning. We didn't have a pool and the local park didn't have one.
One of my earliest memories of ever having a swim lesson was at day camp at the Y. I remember the instructor not having much patience and being a shy and nervous little girl, that made me not want to try anymore. I went to a private, integrated high school and we didn't have a pool. I ended up on the basketball and track and field teams. My interest in swimming didn't pick up until later in life. Now that I'm in my 40s and trying to learn, I wish I would have tried again at an earlier age.
Not too long ago, a radio station had a discussion that one of the reasons some black women don't swim is because of their hair. The opinions were mixed. A lot of maintenance is needed to take care of our hair whether it's natural or relaxed and a trip to the salon can cost a lot of money.
I'm proud that my 15 year old nephew and his brothers are good swimmers because of their mother. Her side of the family go fishing frequently so knowing how to swim is a must.
