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
Then what is the prime age for women. Dana Torres placing in the olympics at 32 years old and Laura Val swimming some events faster in her forties or 50 years old than she did at 18 or 20 years old. I always think that we women can do things sometimes older than the guys. In the old days people thought that swimmers were over at 22 years old because the elite swimmers couldn't stayin the sporanderfor economic reasons, And also Dennis Baker time could have gotten him 3rd place in the 200 meter fly in 1972 for men or be able to beat Mary T Meagher or Misty Hyman and Susie O'Neil at their primes. As for Don Schollander times are from an earlier generation, soex-national level swimmers in their 40's should be able to do faster than he did at 1964.
Then what is the prime age for women. Dana Torres placing in the olympics at 32 years old and Laura Val swimming some events faster in her forties or 50 years old than she did at 18 or 20 years old. I always think that we women can do things sometimes older than the guys. In the old days people thought that swimmers were over at 22 years old because the elite swimmers couldn't stayin the sporanderfor economic reasons, And also Dennis Baker time could have gotten him 3rd place in the 200 meter fly in 1972 for men or be able to beat Mary T Meagher or Misty Hyman and Susie O'Neil at their primes. As for Don Schollander times are from an earlier generation, soex-national level swimmers in their 40's should be able to do faster than he did at 1964.
