Call me an old fashioned cynic, but Gary Hall's oh so exclusive "Race Club" seems to generate more amusement than intimidation. To review the bidding for those with real lives, Mr. Hall announced a few months ago his intent to form his own club dedicated to elite swimming. It has a fabulous location and training facility in the Florida Keys. It will cover travel, training and living expenses. (I'm tempted to ask who is fronting the money, but I won't denigrade Mr. Hall's ability to raise funds.) If you want to join them, send in a resume; don't call us; we'll call you. Let us look over your accoplishments and decide whether you are worthy.
Hmm, great facilities, don't have to share pool time with the non-world class members (i.e. 99%) of a Swim Club, just about all expenses paid. Unless you have your own lucrative endorsement deal, what swimmer wouldn't want to join this team?
Well, the initial members of the "Swim Club" were announced last week. www.swiminfo.com/.../6097.asp Eight Olympians sounds real impressive. But then you look at the list a little more closely. Eleven swimmers, and although I have not googled everyone of them, all of the ones I have googled are in their late 20's or older. Or in other words, 3 of the 11 swimmers are chronologically at the back end of their careers, and they have not yet made their nation's Olympic Team. Closer scrutiny reveals 10 of the 11 are men. Just about all of them swim the 50 free or 50 fly, and few of them seriously compete in anything other that the 50 or 100 free or fly. In contrast to the lack of age, gender and event diversity, the team does have members of many nationalities and ethic backgrounds. However, the most telling stat of all is that roughly half of the members I checked are not currently ranked in the World Top 20 Rankings, LCM or SCM, in any event.
Overall, the "Swim Club" sort of reminds me of the kind of team a rookie fantasy league coach would assemble--there are a lot of names you would recognize, but their most productive years may be behind them. To be fair, all of these folks are amazing, world-class swimmers. Their careers to date have been awesome, and they remain extraordinary today by any standard, except arguably World Rankings. In contrast, I am an opinionated loud mouth. I would be delighted to see them find new speed and light up the scoreboards next year with medals and records, and make a complete monkey of me. As of right now, I think may the "Swim Club's" gloss may have exceeded its actual capabilities.
Matt
Parents
Former Member
Why so cynical? Based on what I've read, the "Race Club" is designed to help older swimmers extend thier careers.
Here is a quote from the Miami Herald Article about the "Race Club"
''The only reason many swimmers are forced out of swimming is because of the funding,'' Hall said Friday. ``I think we've demonstrated in the past that you don't have to stop swimming when you turn 21 years old.''
The club funding is coming from a foundation Hall and his father created to support swimmers. Hall and his father recently sold the Phoenix Swim Club and used that money to start the foundation.
''It's kind of like a scholarship to bring in swimmers who under other circumstances couldn't continue swimming,'' Hall said.
I don't care for the name "Race Club" but I wish Gary Hall and company the best of luck as they work together to prolong their swimming careers.
Michael
Why so cynical? Based on what I've read, the "Race Club" is designed to help older swimmers extend thier careers.
Here is a quote from the Miami Herald Article about the "Race Club"
''The only reason many swimmers are forced out of swimming is because of the funding,'' Hall said Friday. ``I think we've demonstrated in the past that you don't have to stop swimming when you turn 21 years old.''
The club funding is coming from a foundation Hall and his father created to support swimmers. Hall and his father recently sold the Phoenix Swim Club and used that money to start the foundation.
''It's kind of like a scholarship to bring in swimmers who under other circumstances couldn't continue swimming,'' Hall said.
I don't care for the name "Race Club" but I wish Gary Hall and company the best of luck as they work together to prolong their swimming careers.
Michael
