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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No one in the 1970's would think that any women could swim decent passed 25 years old. The theory is that they peak younger on average than guys, so they are going to be reaching their peak much earlier. There are some men that also swim better older but others do not, like some women don't. I remember a teenage sensation whose name was Rick Demont. He could have won two gold medals in the olympics if they didn't take his medal away and prohibtioning him from swimming the 1500 meter freestyle. He was just 16 years old at the time. By 1975 and 1976, Tim Shaw and Brain Goodell took his place. Thanks goodness Ion that there is a little more money in the sport, so both men and women can afford to do it at top levels at older ages. Also, that there is masters around for those of us that were a long ways from the top, so we can compete as young adults and middle aged people and seniors.
No one in the 1970's would think that any women could swim decent passed 25 years old. The theory is that they peak younger on average than guys, so they are going to be reaching their peak much earlier. There are some men that also swim better older but others do not, like some women don't. I remember a teenage sensation whose name was Rick Demont. He could have won two gold medals in the olympics if they didn't take his medal away and prohibtioning him from swimming the 1500 meter freestyle. He was just 16 years old at the time. By 1975 and 1976, Tim Shaw and Brain Goodell took his place. Thanks goodness Ion that there is a little more money in the sport, so both men and women can afford to do it at top levels at older ages. Also, that there is masters around for those of us that were a long ways from the top, so we can compete as young adults and middle aged people and seniors.
