We all know that the best of the best who shine in the Olympics start at, like, age 3-5 and train hard thorought all the years to really achieve their best in their early-mid 20s.Out of curiosity, does anyone know any olimpians that started training very late, maybe closer to their 20s and performed very well at the olympics or were there "old" olimpians on the podium ever(in their 30s)?
And theoretically do you guys think it is possible for someone to start training at an adult age and win in the OLympics?
Former Member
Originally posted by hooked-on-swimming
We all know that the best of the best who shine in the Olympics start at, like, age 3-5 and train hard thorought all the years to really achieve their best in their early-mid 20s.Out of curiosity, does anyone know any olimpians that started training very late, maybe closer to their 20s and performed very well at the olympics or were there "old" olimpians on the podium ever(in their 30s)?
And theoretically do you guys think it is possible for someone to start training at an adult age and win in the OLympics?
Probably not, because by the time a person gets enough years of training under their belt, the body will probably start feeling the effects of aging. If a person starts at 25, and trains for 15 years (which is porbably close to the years of training olympians get) that will put them at almost 40 years old. The aging at that point which will probably be significant eniugh to take a person out of running for the olympics. It may make them a really notable masters swimmer.
Also, as a person ages, even just over 25, the body needs more recovery time, so it will probably take more years to out the same kind of yardage as the kids do when they start at 5, 6 or 7 years old.
Plus, it would take extraordinary genetic makeup to do this later in life. On the flip side, a person with such an extroadinary genetic makeup, desire and dedication to get to that level is more likely to start training much much earlier in life.
Theoretically, there is a small chance under a really specific set of circumstances. In reality, I don't think it's likely to happen. Probably have a better chance of winning the lottery.
Dima, On behalf of many of us frequent posters to this forum; I apologize for the childish hijacking of your seriously posted thread.
And back to your question – Yes I would say it is “theoretically” possible for someone to start swimming in their 20’s and still win an Olympic Gold. However, I find this scenario highly unlikely. Remember to win the gold these newcomers will need to be beat the likes of Michael Phelps and his peers.
And, yes there are rare examples of people who have achieved great success after starting later in life. I recall hearing that Larsen Jensen (American record holder in the 1500 and Olympic Silver medalist) has only been swimming 4-5 years. And of course there is the incomparable Gail Roper, to name two.
If you do have goal of becoming an elite swimmer, then I wish you the best of luck! It will take hard work, tremendous dedication, and a coach willing to work with you to achieve this goal.
Originally posted by Rob Copeland
Dima, On behalf of many of us frequent posters to this forum; I apologize for the childish hijacking of your seriously posted thread.
On behalf of those of us who don't take ourselves so seriously and enjoy childlike humor, there is nothing wrong with having fun while discussing a topic.
LIGHTEN UP, Gramps!
I think that ulimately everyone has the goal of wanting to win an Olympic gold....but a medal of any color is still a huge feat to accomplish. Just the fact of making the team and competing in the Olympic games is something that is an incredible accomplishment!! So..even if you don't medal at the games..look at the fact that you made it there in the first place!! See you in Bejing Dima!!:D
~Kyra
p.s. Thank you for the compliments.
I think a positive thinking that that is possible will get you farther than if you are too realistic, it does not matter where it gets you, but I think one always should aim for the top, you might not make it there, but you'd have a challenge to work for...So...
That's the whole idea...
hey, I have an idea of how to be in the Olympics, lol:you just need to become a citizen of Kenia or one of those countries you don't seem to see good swimmers come from and you are set, haha, you could probably qualify with a .30 sec 50-meter or something.JUST KIDDING :-)))
From now on Rob is "Gramps":D :D
And although Alexandra Paul is happily married, us men still think of her in fond terms.
I know of masters swimmers around the world who have started swimming at a very late age (after 20) and have become world class, and not just at a masters level. But most of those examples came from other sports such as running or karate to name some I know of.
To be at a world class level it takes genetics to some extent, hard work and dedication, and great coaching. Any piece of the puzzle results in less.
In addition to the impact of aging on top physical performance, life seems to get in the way around 23 or so. That's when you have to work, some have children, there's the mortgage, etc. Less and less time for full day training.
Originally posted by jpjackson76
If you believe you can you can, If you believe you might not make it you won't. Sorry to get all Tony Robbins on you.
This post requires some analysis. First, say you start at 23, which is a completely unlikely event for someone with Olympic aspirations but we'll go with it. You'd have to spend minimum 1-2 years just on stroke technique. That makes you 25, at which age you don't have the opportunity to compete often with the "kids" who have HS meets and age group meets. That's also assuming in 2 years you can post fast times to qualify. So, this means that somewhere between 25-27 you have caught up with foks swimming competitivey since age 5 and have the opportunity to do it 10-14 times a week, unlikely if you are an adult, unless you have some sort of trust fund, like gull80.
Theoretically it is possible but there are about zero athletes who begin their sport in their 20s, save curling maybe, a sport devoted mostly to alcohol consumption.
Now, before gull80 gets all analytical and accuses me of the early bloomer bandwagon switch, let me state I believe, again, that life gets in the way in your 20s and believing you can and actually doing it are two very different things.
I believe I can swim a 1000 in a clown suit faster than gull80 but, then again, we both enjoy hot coffee, so our arguments should not be taken too seriously.
