The lack of youth on the men's team

Former Member
Former Member
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
  • Michael Phelps is only 23, Piersol is under 25 as well - both of the 50 free Olympians this year are very recent college grads. I really feel that if a swimmer can make money (mostly endorcement deals), or in other words turn swimming into a career, you will see them staying around a lot longer. Cullen Jones has over one million in sponsorships, and I am certain Phelps has way more than even that. In most sports (basketball, football, baseball) the average age of competitors (at the elite level) is mid twenties and up. Why not swimming (and I do refer to mens swimming in this case).
Reply
  • Michael Phelps is only 23, Piersol is under 25 as well - both of the 50 free Olympians this year are very recent college grads. I really feel that if a swimmer can make money (mostly endorcement deals), or in other words turn swimming into a career, you will see them staying around a lot longer. Cullen Jones has over one million in sponsorships, and I am certain Phelps has way more than even that. In most sports (basketball, football, baseball) the average age of competitors (at the elite level) is mid twenties and up. Why not swimming (and I do refer to mens swimming in this case).
Children
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