www.swiminfo.com, in an article about 27-years old Olympic Algerian sprinter Salim Iles who two days ago in France set a new African record in 100 meter freestyle in a 50 meter pool at :49.00, claims that age 29 is now considered the "prime years for male swimming".
One day ago, Franck Esposito (Fra.), age 31, swam 1:54.62 in 200 meter butterfly in a 50 meter pool, second fastest time in history, marginally behind Michael Phelps (US) 1:54.58, age 17.
(As a side note, Esposito is not a giant like 6' 7" Tom Malchow (US), or tall like Phelps' 6' 3", he is 5' 11").
Alex. Popov (Rus.), Mark Foster (GBR), John Miranda (US), Ron Karnaugh (US), Sven Lodziewski (Ger) are clear Olympic-level calibers for male swimmers past the age of 30.
So, age 29 is now considered within the "prime years for male swimming" in this sport that is physically fitness-driven.
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Former Member
Ion,
Another way to look at those statistics is that they might indicate that swimming is, in fact, a skill sport with an endurance component. Let me toss out some other examples from prominent professional sports: baseball, definitely skill sport, prime age: 30; basketball, skill sport, prime age: 27; hockey, skill sport, prime age: 29; tennis, skill sport, prime age: 26; golf, penultimate skill sport, prime age: 35; figure skating, skill sport, prime age: 23. (Please note that the "prime age" statistic is my own, bar-stooling guess. I am open to any alternate ages, and the conclusions you might draw from them. I am a little more confident of my characterization of the above sports as "skill sports," but again I am open to any differing views). My thesis is that many elite swimmers have to practice their craft well past college age to get their stroke technique just right and reach their potential. Thus, I conclude that swimming is more of a skill sport than an endurance sport.
So what's the counter-example? I think most would agree that distance running, bicycling, or triathlons are endurance sports; however, their prime age are also in the late 20's. So maybe I am all wet theoretically (as well as literally) speaking. What do the rest of you think?
Matt
Ion,
Another way to look at those statistics is that they might indicate that swimming is, in fact, a skill sport with an endurance component. Let me toss out some other examples from prominent professional sports: baseball, definitely skill sport, prime age: 30; basketball, skill sport, prime age: 27; hockey, skill sport, prime age: 29; tennis, skill sport, prime age: 26; golf, penultimate skill sport, prime age: 35; figure skating, skill sport, prime age: 23. (Please note that the "prime age" statistic is my own, bar-stooling guess. I am open to any alternate ages, and the conclusions you might draw from them. I am a little more confident of my characterization of the above sports as "skill sports," but again I am open to any differing views). My thesis is that many elite swimmers have to practice their craft well past college age to get their stroke technique just right and reach their potential. Thus, I conclude that swimming is more of a skill sport than an endurance sport.
So what's the counter-example? I think most would agree that distance running, bicycling, or triathlons are endurance sports; however, their prime age are also in the late 20's. So maybe I am all wet theoretically (as well as literally) speaking. What do the rest of you think?
Matt
