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.
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:
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:
That's funny! I grew up in Oklahoma and we had a few football players on our high school team who also swam. They didn't saunter in, but it would take them a while to build up to what we were doing. A couple of times they'd blow chow while making the transition.
Look, the lack of money has nothing to do with the ability for swimming to go mainstream, in terms of public interest. It all comes down to marketing and brand recognition, and some ways are more cost effective than others.
It has only been relatively recently that the rules have changed for amatuer sports, and that means this really can become a huge business opportunity.
Grew up in So Cal too......living here in Georgia......football is worshipped. We're trying to change that around here though....slow going!!!!
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:
Grew up in So Cal too......living here in Georgia......football is worshipped. We're trying to change that around here though....slow going!!!!
We don't have to change people from liking a particular sport over another, that will not succeed. We just have to entertain the idea of giving them a real view of the sport in comparison to the average joe. Generally, people who like to watch sports don't mind adding to that list if it is entertaining enough. We need to add a human element to these people who race like machines.
Oh, don't get me wrong, I wasn't trying to spark a debate over high profile sports and the money the athletes are paid, just that there are some, like myself, who are not deeply embedded in swimming do appreciate the intensity, amount of training and dedication that goes into being a competitive swimmer.
Precisely, and there may be many more who would have a larger interest in the sport. We just need to give them something entertaining, perhaps more than just the race. How about a reality show of an Olympic year training cycle...?
Oh, don't get me wrong, I wasn't trying to spark a debate over high profile sports and the money the athletes are paid, just that there are some, like myself, who are not deeply embedded in swimming do appreciate the intensity, amount of training and dedication that goes into being a competitive swimmer.
Heck, I know what you all go through with your training and I'd still watch that show. I guess for the typical tv viewer you would most likely have to include the personal side of the athlete, you know, juggling schedules, good and bad days, just as much of the every day life as the training and competitive life. It would actually be very cool to follow an Olympic hopeful leading up to the games, not a bad idea at all.
