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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I'm not talking about guys and gals beating each other in practice. I can beat a guy in his mid thirties in a public pool that I lap swim in and I'm in my mid-40's. But of course I swam as a teenager many years ago and he probably didn't swim on a team when he was younger. I'm talking about women who are doing good times for their ages compared to younger women. Jenny Thompson in elite USA swimming and people like Laura Val in masters. They are disproving the myth that women can not swim good times for them past 21 years old.
I'm not talking about guys and gals beating each other in practice. I can beat a guy in his mid thirties in a public pool that I lap swim in and I'm in my mid-40's. But of course I swam as a teenager many years ago and he probably didn't swim on a team when he was younger. I'm talking about women who are doing good times for their ages compared to younger women. Jenny Thompson in elite USA swimming and people like Laura Val in masters. They are disproving the myth that women can not swim good times for them past 21 years old.
