So I was watching the Spurs-Lakers game and Reggie Miller was talking about how Tim Duncan was in great shape, having one of his best seasons and that he had been back in the pool.
I knew he grew up a swimmer but apparently he was really good until a hurricane destroyed the one pool at his home in the Virgin Islands and so he had to quit around age 13.
I wasn't able to find anything more than that so would be interested in hearing more.
I think if you look at the size and out-of-the-pool athleticism of some of our male elite swimmers today (e.g., Adrian, Grevers, those monstrous French dudes, even Kevin Cordes, plus more), we're already starting to see the impact of some guys who might have turned to other sports like basketball, but stuck with swimming.
Phelps changed the game and was the first rich pro swimmer. Say what you will about Lochte, but his ability to extend his earning potential out of the pool will make pro swimming more lucrative (IMHO) in the long term for other swimmers. I'm not saying we'll get to NBA compensation any time soon or have a huge number of pro swimmers making huge bucks, but the earning potential will increase. And the money will attract and retain talent.
I think if you look at the size and out-of-the-pool athleticism of some of our male elite swimmers today (e.g., Adrian, Grevers, those monstrous French dudes, even Kevin Cordes, plus more), we're already starting to see the impact of some guys who might have turned to other sports like basketball, but stuck with swimming.
Phelps changed the game and was the first rich pro swimmer. Say what you will about Lochte, but his ability to extend his earning potential out of the pool will make pro swimming more lucrative (IMHO) in the long term for other swimmers. I'm not saying we'll get to NBA compensation any time soon or have a huge number of pro swimmers making huge bucks, but the earning potential will increase. And the money will attract and retain talent.
