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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Ion made a comment about the prime age for male swimmers. But what about female swimmers. In the olden days, most people thought that female swimmers were wash up usually around 18 and 20 years old. Now some of them swim at a higher level longer than the men do at an older age. For example, the oldest woman on the pan-pacific team is Jenny Thompson at 29 years old. The oldest guy on the us sqaud is Chad Carvin at 28 years old. Yet, Jenny is still performing at a higher level than Chad is. She won the 50 meter freestyle at the pan-pacfics, while Chad only placed on the relay. So, is it possible that some woman especially at the masters level can compete at a higher level than men, just look at Laura Val who is over 50 years old.
Ion made a comment about the prime age for male swimmers. But what about female swimmers. In the olden days, most people thought that female swimmers were wash up usually around 18 and 20 years old. Now some of them swim at a higher level longer than the men do at an older age. For example, the oldest woman on the pan-pacific team is Jenny Thompson at 29 years old. The oldest guy on the us sqaud is Chad Carvin at 28 years old. Yet, Jenny is still performing at a higher level than Chad is. She won the 50 meter freestyle at the pan-pacfics, while Chad only placed on the relay. So, is it possible that some woman especially at the masters level can compete at a higher level than men, just look at Laura Val who is over 50 years old.
