Saw one of the more interesting articles about the past, present, and future aspects of competitive swimming on SwimInfo's website the other day from Wayne Goldsmith..
www.swiminfo.com/.../7720.asp
I think it provokes a great deal of thought in this arena and specifically within this group since many of us either participate, have friends/relatives who participate, or remember participating in competitive swim meets.
I particularly appreciate the parents perspective provided in the article. While I have little children (5 and almost 3 years old), the thought of going through what my parents did with me makes me hesitate to sign up for the first set of SwimAmerica lessons or summer club swim team to introduce them to swimming. While I swam through my school age years, I didn't really consider just what my parents had to go through right along with me.. I was always thinking about what i was going through. Wow!
Check out the article and see what you think...
Rob
I agree with SWinkleblech on his feelings about teaching kids on finding the success in all they do. I think many of our coaches try to teach this. I was just trying to point out, in general society, that a sport like swimming only focus's on the winner. It is rare that the second place person gets the interviews, the accolades, the sponsorships, the face on the Wheates box.
I find that the athletes that take second, third, etc typically develop great skills to deal with life. Many of them become more successful later in life.
Team sports will always be able to provide more avenues to experience success on an individual and team level than sports like ours.... I hope we can find ways to prove this statement wrong.
I agree with SWinkleblech on his feelings about teaching kids on finding the success in all they do. I think many of our coaches try to teach this. I was just trying to point out, in general society, that a sport like swimming only focus's on the winner. It is rare that the second place person gets the interviews, the accolades, the sponsorships, the face on the Wheates box.
I find that the athletes that take second, third, etc typically develop great skills to deal with life. Many of them become more successful later in life.
Team sports will always be able to provide more avenues to experience success on an individual and team level than sports like ours.... I hope we can find ways to prove this statement wrong.
