psychological profile of swimmers

Originally posted by chickadee I have a somewhat related question about the psychological make up of swimmers. Did anyone read about the dozens of Mt Everst climbers who walked up and down past the British mountaineer who was in distress and was left to die? I wonder if any swimmer, introvert or extrovert or a combination of the two, would ever watch another person in distress in the water and not attempt to assist in one way or another. I can't imagine taking any delight in a sport that puts ones personal goals above the safety of another. For the record, I like sprints and see myself as an extrovert. I read the same story and it is my opinion that those climbers are a waste of oxygen. They are so determined to reach their goal that another human being's life is not worthy of consideration. A truly sad state of affairs. It is my hope that they did not reach their goal. I actually have some other hopes as well but I won't share those here.

Originally posted by chickadee I have a somewhat related question about the psychological make up of swimmers. Did anyone read about the dozens of Mt Everst climbers who walked up and down past the British mountaineer who was in distress and was left to die? I wonder if any swimmer, introvert or extrovert or a combination of the two, would ever watch another person in distress in the water and not attempt to assist in one way or another. I can't imagine taking any delight in a sport that puts ones personal goals above the safety of another. For the record, I like sprints and see myself as an extrovert. I read the same story and it is my opinion that those climbers are a waste of oxygen. They are so determined to reach their goal that another human being's life is not worthy of consideration. A truly sad state of affairs. It is my hope that they did not reach their goal. I actually have some other hopes as well but I won't share those here.