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.
Generally speaking, don't men peak later than women (I knew many young women who peaked at 13-15)? Also, aren't more elite swimmers staying in the sport longer than they did even 10 years ago (before there were "professional" swimmers)? I think those two factors have lead to fewer young men qualifying for the Olympics (in the United States, at least). I bet there are fewer younger women qualifying too (see: Dara Torres), but since women are more likely to peak earlier thank men, we still see more young women having success at the elite level. For me, the jury is still out on what, if any, impact the cutbacks in Division 1 swimming programs are having on the overall quality of United States swimming.
Generally speaking, don't men peak later than women (I knew many young women who peaked at 13-15)? Also, aren't more elite swimmers staying in the sport longer than they did even 10 years ago (before there were "professional" swimmers)? I think those two factors have lead to fewer young men qualifying for the Olympics (in the United States, at least). I bet there are fewer younger women qualifying too (see: Dara Torres), but since women are more likely to peak earlier thank men, we still see more young women having success at the elite level. For me, the jury is still out on what, if any, impact the cutbacks in Division 1 swimming programs are having on the overall quality of United States swimming.
