I agree and disagree with some of these comments. I do think that some of the fansites can be a little stalkery, but I don't think any of these people are actually stalkers. Going to a meet and taking photos isn't a stalker move unless you're following them around the globe. Going to a meet or event in your area and going to a meet or event that's completely out of your way are two different things.
I disagree, though, that these boys don't appreciate having fans who aren't swimmers. By that same token, do you think basketball players don't appreciate fans who aren't basketball players? Or should people only be fans of people who do the same thing they do?
I think that they are appreciative of people who come out to see the sport, and if they're the incentive, then so be it. Swimming does get more attention that way, which is a positive thing. I know Aaron Peirsol was thrilled about the crowd at Duel in the Pool, and was glad that swimming was getting attention like that.
Additionally, I think the majority of the fansites are not only for their looks but for their swimming abilitly as well. They may not deconstruct every race and every stroke, but these sites have never claimed to be a swimming technique website.
There are scarier sites out there than the ones that have been listed. I've seen "fan-fiction" sites, where people write stories either linking themselves with a swimmer (Aaron Peirsol is a favourite, as is Ian Thorpe) or linking two swimmers together (Ian Thorpe/Michael Phelps is a popular pairing, from what I've seen). I find those to be creepier than fansites with lots of pictures.
Sorry for the length and rambling! I hope this all makes sense, it's slightly early where I am...
I agree and disagree with some of these comments. I do think that some of the fansites can be a little stalkery, but I don't think any of these people are actually stalkers. Going to a meet and taking photos isn't a stalker move unless you're following them around the globe. Going to a meet or event in your area and going to a meet or event that's completely out of your way are two different things.
I disagree, though, that these boys don't appreciate having fans who aren't swimmers. By that same token, do you think basketball players don't appreciate fans who aren't basketball players? Or should people only be fans of people who do the same thing they do?
I think that they are appreciative of people who come out to see the sport, and if they're the incentive, then so be it. Swimming does get more attention that way, which is a positive thing. I know Aaron Peirsol was thrilled about the crowd at Duel in the Pool, and was glad that swimming was getting attention like that.
Additionally, I think the majority of the fansites are not only for their looks but for their swimming abilitly as well. They may not deconstruct every race and every stroke, but these sites have never claimed to be a swimming technique website.
There are scarier sites out there than the ones that have been listed. I've seen "fan-fiction" sites, where people write stories either linking themselves with a swimmer (Aaron Peirsol is a favourite, as is Ian Thorpe) or linking two swimmers together (Ian Thorpe/Michael Phelps is a popular pairing, from what I've seen). I find those to be creepier than fansites with lots of pictures.
Sorry for the length and rambling! I hope this all makes sense, it's slightly early where I am...
