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.
In my high school we had a water polo match between the wrestlers and the swimmers.This was standard gym class water polo rules i.e. none.The wrestlers defended the shallow end and the swimmers the deep end.No wrestler ever crossed past the middle of the pool(though no swimmers spent much time in the shallow end.)The relative stalemate was broken at about half way through the contest.The wrestling team was rather large and since this was early in the season not all the wrestlers knew each other,so when a swimmer volunteered to be the goalie for the wrestlers they let him.He was a REALLY bad goalie:rofl:
In my high school we had a water polo match between the wrestlers and the swimmers.This was standard gym class water polo rules i.e. none.The wrestlers defended the shallow end and the swimmers the deep end.No wrestler ever crossed past the middle of the pool(though no swimmers spent much time in the shallow end.)The relative stalemate was broken at about half way through the contest.The wrestling team was rather large and since this was early in the season not all the wrestlers knew each other,so when a swimmer volunteered to be the goalie for the wrestlers they let him.He was a REALLY bad goalie:rofl:
