Equatorial Guinea or something similar. The guy in the youtube video mentions the country. I personally don't like this slow swimming to give a chance to everyone deal or think it is doing any good. We have that in master's swimming where I swim. Some dude will swim a two minute 100 meter free style for instance, even though he is 60 or 70. I mean, hey, I am slow, but there is a limit to being ridiculously slow. But the coaches put them to swim, everybody applauds...sometimes they'll put a guy to swim 50 meters free and he'll take forever and struggle to the final, almost drowning in the process...I think there is a limit but maybe that is me...billy fanstone
It certainly was a disgrace and it was unnecessary. It's less akin to the Jamaican bobsled team ... which though far down the standings was far from this. Eric the Eel was more comparable to Eddie the Eagle at Calgary in 1988. Another side show.
The wild card system should not be open to all level swimmers carte blanche. Using the "lovable loser" to allegedly promote swimming in disadvantaged countries is neither appropriate or effective.
Question...just who exactly was hurt by this man's swim? Do you think the people in his homeland would be
A) Encouraged
B) Humiliated
How would you feel?
This is not me trying to be PC or self righteous. But don't kid yourselves. That gawkfest did nothing for the sport in Africa.
It's hard to say how I might feel. Not every country has such a sense of entitlement to gold medals as we do. According to the video, that was the fastest the race had ever been swam by somebody from his country. What's to be ashamed about?
Originally Posted by pwolf66 forums.usms.org/.../viewpost.gif
Isn't this the only thing that is important? Doing your best? I repeatedly tell my daughter that the only requirements are a) have fun, b) do your best and c) listen to your coaches. You can not control how fast the other swimmers are, you can only control what happens in YOUR lane.
Good advice to be giving the kids!!!!!
... and to grown-ups too.
I guess bottom line is every Olympics needs a buffoon for people to cheer on. There are plenty of USMS swimmers who can do a 57, there is nothing especially unique about that time. Of course, we aren't talking about USMS, we are talking the Olympics.
This guy was never a swimming threat, just there to be laughed at and we all got a good laugh. I mean, mocking people is all about the spirit of the Olympics, right?
