I wasn't a competitive swimmer growing up, I come from a running background and it wasn't until I got into triathlon and open water swimming did I really train and compete, but nothing near the level of many of you on this forum. Sadly swimming doesn't get the respect or attention as other more mainstream sports in the US, but I know many young swimmers at the high school and collegiate level and know very well how dedicated they are and the crazy amount of training they do. The ironic thing is that as intense a lifestyle it can be, you all are a very happy, funny bunch that seem to really love your sport. I was watching a few interviews from the FINA Grand Prix from Long Beach, Calif., and everyone they interviewed laughed, giggled, joked around, got nervous or embarrassed when complimented and just seemed to be enjoying themselves. This is a really nice departure from the millionaire pro athletes with over inflated egos and their constant chest pounding. I greatly look forward to the summer Olympics every 4 years just to watch the swimming events. So though it may seem like no one gives you credit for you hard work, I have more respect for competitive swimmers than any other athletes.
Parents
Former Member
What a great post! I grew up in California where it wasn't so "lame" to be a swimmer but I now live in Texas where football is GOD. I think most swimmers know just how much work it takes to be good and are pretty confident in their athleticism.
I used to coach a USS age-group team at a Jr. college in Oklahoma. My assistant and I would always giggle when the football players would saunter in all cocky and then proceed to swim below the level of our pre-competitive swimmers...:drown:
same with out wrestlers. they do it in the diving well though, we all get in the lanes next to hem and do the worst form we can do and try to beat them by just an inch then the last 5 yards sprint it and kinda crush their pride. It's all in good fun we all know each other. Our captain snuck into there group and just did 1 arm free pull all out and lapped all of them multiple times. So next year they will pick 3 of our worst swimmers, and well put in our fastest as the 4th against there 4 fastest in a relay for fun.
What a great post! I grew up in California where it wasn't so "lame" to be a swimmer but I now live in Texas where football is GOD. I think most swimmers know just how much work it takes to be good and are pretty confident in their athleticism.
I used to coach a USS age-group team at a Jr. college in Oklahoma. My assistant and I would always giggle when the football players would saunter in all cocky and then proceed to swim below the level of our pre-competitive swimmers...:drown:
same with out wrestlers. they do it in the diving well though, we all get in the lanes next to hem and do the worst form we can do and try to beat them by just an inch then the last 5 yards sprint it and kinda crush their pride. It's all in good fun we all know each other. Our captain snuck into there group and just did 1 arm free pull all out and lapped all of them multiple times. So next year they will pick 3 of our worst swimmers, and well put in our fastest as the 4th against there 4 fastest in a relay for fun.
