So I just saw a poll at the US Swimming web site that asked:
In the last twenty years, who do you think has changed more in the sport of swimming?
The choices were swimmers or coaches.
Thought it would be a good thread to talk about. Should we also throw in swimming equipment for good measure?
Talk amongst yourselves...
Interesting thread.... to answer the original question- I think that coaches have changed the most over the past 20 years. Athletes really haven't changed only how they are trained.
The equipment swimmers use haven't changed all that much(outside of videoing and computers). Which leaves coaching for my choice... I'm going to think on this a while longer...
-Getting back to the discussion-
I think it is great that our top swimmers are making enough money to make swimming a short term career. Will it ever grow to the level of the NFL, NBA, etc. and provide retirement and other benefits? We shall see. All things take time. Swimmings biggest struggle, like any individual sport, is that the entertainment level is low and fans have a hard time relating to the individualism of the sport.
* Lets be honest, swimming is like watching paint dry to the general public. It is great to watch the USA team win, but ask anyone who won the 100 breaststroke at the Olympics.. most people wouldn't be able to answer.
* Everyone knows "Michael Phelps", but can they name the events he won medals in? I doubt it. (A large portion of the population can relate to basketball and football and what the athletes do... swimming doesn't come close).
* The only time swimming is popular is the Olympics - reason being is that the American public feels like they are apart of the USA team during the Olympics. They cheer and pull for the USA team... no matter what sport. We just happen to dominate swimming, which brings us more attention. For a few weeks after the Olympics, John Doe, can talk around the water fountain that "WE" dominated swimming. He may even be able to mention a few events and names. It is the only time the general public feels like they are apart of the US Swimming Team. WHEN DOES THIS EVERY HAPPEN AFTER THE OLYMPICS? NEVER!
* Fans being apart of the team??? You go to any team sport, at any level, and you can hear the fans, parents, etc use inclusive phrases like we won, we made a great effort, and so on. They also know each of the team members names and positions. They praise and criticize each team member for their ability or lack of ability at their position within the team. This just doesn't happen as often with individual sports. Most fans and parents talk about the individual, using phrases that use the words "you" and "they". There is no ownerships or team feeling in sports like ours.
We have an uphill battle to get the media and corporations to spend "their" money on something that is very difficult to be included or feel like they are apart of the team....
I wish I had answers to this problem (very frustrating). People love to be entertained and feel like they were apart of the process. How is swimming going to do this?????
Interesting thread.... to answer the original question- I think that coaches have changed the most over the past 20 years. Athletes really haven't changed only how they are trained.
The equipment swimmers use haven't changed all that much(outside of videoing and computers). Which leaves coaching for my choice... I'm going to think on this a while longer...
-Getting back to the discussion-
I think it is great that our top swimmers are making enough money to make swimming a short term career. Will it ever grow to the level of the NFL, NBA, etc. and provide retirement and other benefits? We shall see. All things take time. Swimmings biggest struggle, like any individual sport, is that the entertainment level is low and fans have a hard time relating to the individualism of the sport.
* Lets be honest, swimming is like watching paint dry to the general public. It is great to watch the USA team win, but ask anyone who won the 100 breaststroke at the Olympics.. most people wouldn't be able to answer.
* Everyone knows "Michael Phelps", but can they name the events he won medals in? I doubt it. (A large portion of the population can relate to basketball and football and what the athletes do... swimming doesn't come close).
* The only time swimming is popular is the Olympics - reason being is that the American public feels like they are apart of the USA team during the Olympics. They cheer and pull for the USA team... no matter what sport. We just happen to dominate swimming, which brings us more attention. For a few weeks after the Olympics, John Doe, can talk around the water fountain that "WE" dominated swimming. He may even be able to mention a few events and names. It is the only time the general public feels like they are apart of the US Swimming Team. WHEN DOES THIS EVERY HAPPEN AFTER THE OLYMPICS? NEVER!
* Fans being apart of the team??? You go to any team sport, at any level, and you can hear the fans, parents, etc use inclusive phrases like we won, we made a great effort, and so on. They also know each of the team members names and positions. They praise and criticize each team member for their ability or lack of ability at their position within the team. This just doesn't happen as often with individual sports. Most fans and parents talk about the individual, using phrases that use the words "you" and "they". There is no ownerships or team feeling in sports like ours.
We have an uphill battle to get the media and corporations to spend "their" money on something that is very difficult to be included or feel like they are apart of the team....
I wish I had answers to this problem (very frustrating). People love to be entertained and feel like they were apart of the process. How is swimming going to do this?????
