According to a report in swiminfo.com, swimming is the most popular sport in Australia. That is, more people follow swimming than any other sport. That's saying a lot, since Australia is already sport crazy. Also, Ian Thorpe is recognized as the most appropriate sport figure for endorsements.
Where would swimming rank in America? How many Americans would recognize the name of *any* American swimmer? Why is Australia different, when the two countries are so culturally similar?
You'd have to also stipulate what year it was. Every four years for the summer olympics, swimming becomes _very_ popular in the United States. Just like figure skating does every four years for the winter olympics.
I spent a couple of weeks in Australia back in 1999 (two years before the Sydney Olympics), and I was amazed at the swimming popularity. In the airport, there were huge banners with 14-year-old swimming superstars, who were revered like Michael Jordan.
-rick
Interesting that a separate topic regarding long-range planning has developed and that some of the ideas relate to increasing visibility,viability and hence, popularity. Swimming, in any form, or any other non-professional sport, will never achieve the status some would like without the support and drive of Corporate America. When we Masters can deliver sales for products, popularity will come looking for us. HOWEVER - we can still strive for greater visibility through larger numbers, advertizing and so on. The problem just surfaced in my club, where our workout times have decreased due to lack of a coach and encroachment of Water Polo for kids. When I was coaching, I noticed that it took a special kind of drive to keep swimmers swimming. Some of the drive is Parental, some by Community history, some comes from within. Here's the bottom line : Baseball is a GAME, swimming is a sport - Soccer is a GAME, track is a sport...... get it ?
Start advertizing !!!
