There has been a lot of discussion since Athens about foreign swimmers training in the United States. Most of them attend U.S. Universities, receive athletic scholarships, and compete at NCAA's. Some notable examples include Duje Draganja (Cal), Fred Bousquet and Kirsty Coventry (Auburn), Markus Rogan (Stanford), and the South African sprinters (Arizona). Some train in the U.S., but don't compete for a university (Inge de Bruijn). All of these athletes benefit from U.S. coaching, from training with U.S. swimmers, and in some cases, from financial support provided by U.S. entities (athletic scholarships). They all turn around and then win medals for other countries.
A couple questions: 1) What do you think about this arrangement generally? 2) Is it of benefit or detriment to U.S. swimming to have these foreign athletes training and competing here? 3) Should we be giving athletic scholarships, which are a scarce resource in swimming, to foreign athletes who will represent their own countries internationally instead of U.S.-born swimmers who will represent us internationally?
I'm sure there are other issues, but these come directly to mind.
Parents
Former Member
Frank,
You are ever the optimist. I give you one place in the top eight if everything had gone better in Greece in the 100 free. You have too many "ifs" in your argument. Personally, I don't think Lezak could've taken down Hoogie even on a good day.
Yes the Hall/Ervin 50 in 2000 was sweet, but there's not been a replacement of similar caliber in 8 years. Relying on an old man like Gary is a lame excuse for American sprinters. The pipe needs to be constantly refilled and replaced. But don't worry, we'll train Freddy Biscuits nice and hard the next few years so he can continue to break 19.0 short course yard and then pound our butts in China.
Could Ian have top 8 at Greece. Hell yes.... when he's on he's god like. Two guys does not a relay make.
I still don't think the US is where they should be on the 50 and 100m free.
John Smith
Frank,
You are ever the optimist. I give you one place in the top eight if everything had gone better in Greece in the 100 free. You have too many "ifs" in your argument. Personally, I don't think Lezak could've taken down Hoogie even on a good day.
Yes the Hall/Ervin 50 in 2000 was sweet, but there's not been a replacement of similar caliber in 8 years. Relying on an old man like Gary is a lame excuse for American sprinters. The pipe needs to be constantly refilled and replaced. But don't worry, we'll train Freddy Biscuits nice and hard the next few years so he can continue to break 19.0 short course yard and then pound our butts in China.
Could Ian have top 8 at Greece. Hell yes.... when he's on he's god like. Two guys does not a relay make.
I still don't think the US is where they should be on the 50 and 100m free.
John Smith
