Boy, I hope I am wrong but in looking at the ages for the American Men's (not women's) team there is not one teenager. Years ago when collegiate mens team were beginning to be cut I always said that it was going to be a gradual process and in time it was going to take its toll on the sport. I do not thing we are there yet but it appears the tide is turnng (for the worse). I realize this is a generalization and there will be many arguments to the contrary such as years ago most swimmers quit the sport after college and now there is $$ to be made through swimming whereas before one had to get a real job and give up the sport. Maybe this is the case and I am being a pessimist but it appears that slowly but surely the Olympic sports are suffering as they get cut on the collegiate level. If the scholarships are not available fewer young men are going to get into the pool. Just my thoughts for this Monday morning and again I hope I am wrong.
Parents
Former Member
Nathan Adrian is 19 and just finished high school. He is a top sprinter and appears destined for greatness. But the aging male Olympian isn't a bad thing to me. It shows that swimmers can continue to compete after college.
Also - to truly assess this - you should look at the international rosters. I bet you'll find that the top male international swimmers are not teenagers either.
Nathan Adrian is 19 and just finished high school. He is a top sprinter and appears destined for greatness. But the aging male Olympian isn't a bad thing to me. It shows that swimmers can continue to compete after college.
Also - to truly assess this - you should look at the international rosters. I bet you'll find that the top male international swimmers are not teenagers either.
