One Hit Wonders

In a way, it's unfair to call any of these swimmers one-hit wonders because all rose through the ranks, worked their way to the top, and had several great swims along the way.SB I have to disagree with this statement. Some of these swimmers are one hit wonders because of their drug use. Giorgio Lamberti comes to mind. My opinion is that he did what it took to break a world record by whatever means possible at a meet that didn't drug test. Then he faded back into mediocrity at real meets where drug testing was conducted. He made a lot of money by doing this, and became nationally recognized in his country. I understand his reasons, but don't put him in the same class as other swimmers who have demonstrated consistency on an international stage.

You’re right (I think). I definitely missed the “shock value” aspect of the “one-hit wonder” when I was responding. (mental note: greatest hit is not necessarily equivalent to one hit). But should swimmers who had long “careers” with only one truly singular, shining moment be excluded from the list of potential one-hit wonders? A few other names to toss out there: Jon Sieben Duncan Armstrong Danyon Loader Yevgeniy Sadovyi Kiyoko Iwasaki Daichi Suzuki Mark Tewksbury Michelle Smith Domenico Fioravanti Massimiliano Rosolino the Chinese women from the 1994 World Championships domenico fioravanti quit swimming a few years back because he has a heart condition. i'm not sure what it is called but 2 swimmers on my old masters team had the same condition and had to quit racing. it about broke their hearts. as far as rossi is concerned, everybody knows he takes human growth hormones, it is common knowledge.

I have to disagree with this statement. Some of these swimmers are one hit wonders because of their drug use. Giorgio Lamberti comes to mind. My opinion is that he did what it took to break a world record by whatever means possible at a meet that didn't drug test. Then he faded back into mediocrity at real meets where drug testing was conducted. He made a lot of money by doing this, and became nationally recognized in his country. I understand his reasons, but don't put him in the same class as other swimmers who have demonstrated consistency on an international stage. years ago italy was not strong in swimming, about lamberti's era. i believe he is coaching in brescia, italy now. a guy who swims masters in my lmsc was on the italian team when he was, he is the one to ask.

A few other names to toss out there: Danyon Loader I'm not sure I'd include Loader. The Atlanta games were definitely his high water mark. But he had a very accomplished career. He was the silver medalist in the 200 fly behind Mel Stewart in Barcelona. I think anyone that has earned an individual medal at successive Olympic Games is not really a one hit wonder as I would choose to define it.

John Piersma (Looking forward to Frank's comments)... Oh and definite NO on Loader. Flash in the pan is better than "one hit wonder," and I would rather be a flash in the pan than nothing at all. Making this list is like finishing last in the Ms. America contest: You're still really good looking!

Paul Wolf. Didn't set any records that I know of, but swam in the 1936 Olympics. Was on the 4x100 Free relay that finished second to Japan. He taught me how to swim Butterfly later on.

Many of these one hit wonders had excellent college careers. I think htat many times it is lack of spreading the word about acheivements that ends with us giving some one this label.

When I think one hit wonders, I think doping -- and quite a few on that list fill that bill -- at least half ... Jon Sieben Duncan Armstrong Danyon Loader Yevgeniy Sadovyi Kiyoko Iwasaki Daichi Suzuki Mark Tewksbury Michelle Smith Domenico Fioravanti Massimiliano Rosolino the Chinese women from the 1994 World Championships

Tewksbury and Rouse had several close races. I remember a few Pan Pac races that came down to the wire. But Rouse always won the big ones until Barcelona.

That's the first time I've seen Mark Tewksbury connected to doping, what's the reasoning? When I think one hit wonders, I think doping -- and quite a few on that list fill that bill -- at least half ... Jon Sieben Duncan Armstrong Danyon Loader Yevgeniy Sadovyi Kiyoko Iwasaki Daichi Suzuki Mark Tewksbury Michelle Smith Domenico Fioravanti Massimiliano Rosolino the Chinese women from the 1994 World Championships