Poll: Favorite Swimmer of all time?

Praise you Heather for mentioning Dara Torres! I had the fortune of meeting her several years ago at the FINA world cups at UMD, and I was so nervous when I went to ask for her autograph... She was incredibly friendly, and even stopped to ask me a couple questions about MY swimming! The kicker is when she was passing through the media room, even if I wasn't looking, she'd say a "Hi Jeff" as she passed through. I am glad to see her still swimming, even if it is only on relays!

Who is your fave swimmer? If yours isn't listed, please write in... Lisa: Here is another thread on this subject. Because of the vast differences in age, experience, and memory you are sure to get people that will say "how could you have left out so-and-so." I suggest people write in there thread there favorite swimmer of all time because you might not have room for all of the names on the poll. forums.usms.org/showthread.php

I'm a fan of Natalie Coughlin - her underwater dolphin kick, especially in backstroke, is gorgeous.

Tom Dolan. 500 free and 400 IM record holder for eons (swimming time).

Hard to pick a favorite. I'll add Mary T., Steve Lundquist and Brian Goodell to the list.

I'm a big fan of gary hall jr.

I just tried to think of "decorated" swimmers that I know from my generation. :-) LOL I'm not an anti breastroker. The poll was supposed to spark some debate! :-) It worked! I was going to just start a thread "who is your favorite swimmer?" but thought this might get more interest... :cool:

Grant Hackett: he paces 800/1500 in a fashion no other human is close to.

I was disappointed you left off the very best Windmill Willy the 100 stroke a minute marathon swimmer The Black Shark - Ernest Verkotter The Crocodile of The Nile - Latif Abou Heif Ben Gazzell Corky Kellum one of the first guys to swim the Mississipi River Tarzan - Johnny W Marilyn Bell - first woman to swim accross lake Ontario. A true Canadian she sang OH Canada when she was swimming...

... where is Brendan Hansen on your list? I vote for Brendan Hansen, he's my avatar.:agree: