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
I agree with you that Jenny and Laura are exceptions to the rule. But back in the 1970's women were thought to be in their prime between 16 to 19 years old. Few were on the olympic team past 20 years old back in those days. I think that if you and I had swam masters in our 20's, that we could have swam a time faster than we did as a teenager. But I quit swimming after community college and got a job. Also, at the time I stop swimming competitvely, masters swimming was 25 years and older. Also, there are exceptions are the men side as well. Michael Phelps isn't the only teenage youngster doing work class times before age 18 in the other strokes besides distance freestyle. There is a 13 year old boy from eastern europe that swims 200 meter breastroke under 2:20 and an american kid at 14 years old making nationals for 200 meter breastroke and is a boy.
I agree with you that Jenny and Laura are exceptions to the rule. But back in the 1970's women were thought to be in their prime between 16 to 19 years old. Few were on the olympic team past 20 years old back in those days. I think that if you and I had swam masters in our 20's, that we could have swam a time faster than we did as a teenager. But I quit swimming after community college and got a job. Also, at the time I stop swimming competitvely, masters swimming was 25 years and older. Also, there are exceptions are the men side as well. Michael Phelps isn't the only teenage youngster doing work class times before age 18 in the other strokes besides distance freestyle. There is a 13 year old boy from eastern europe that swims 200 meter breastroke under 2:20 and an american kid at 14 years old making nationals for 200 meter breastroke and is a boy.
