It was amazing to see how many of the non-USA swimmers (and runners too) trainined in the USA either at the collegiate or club level. It really has broadened the talent pool across many more countries than say 20 years ago.
In both 2004 and 2008 swimmers from all five populated continents have won medals in swimming. I think that's pretty cool. Some of them train in the U.S., many more do not.
It was amazing to see how many of the non-USA swimmers (and runners too) trainined in the USA either at the collegiate or club level. It really has broadened the talent pool across many more countries than say 20 years ago.
Any minute now....
C'mon...
Facilities and coaching are great but they do not get in the water and swim the race. If you like being a champ, you want to beat the best when they're at their best.
If one doesn't take the Olympics on a World War level of national pride being at stake, it matters less who swims where and for whom.
Sports are multinational and there are "foreigners" in every decent mainstream sport league in the globe.
Forget about swimming...almost every sport seems to have its fair share of US trained athletes representing another country...don't even get me started on the two Brazilian beach volleyball players that represented Georgia and played up the "historic" match with the Russian team right after they had invaded...puke, gag.
Oh..and let's no forget that wonderful point guard for the Russian women's basketball team.
Sadly nowadays second string athletes don't even have to find some long lost bloodline to compete for another country.
Sadly nowadays second string athletes don't even have to find some long lost bloodline to compete for another country.
Since I only claim to be fast but am not actually fast and prone to fits of crying I'm going way back in the Geek family history and will compete for the French in the next Olympics. It will also cut down on deodorant and toothpaste expenditures.
It was amazing to see how many of the non-USA swimmers (and runners too) trainined in the USA either at the collegiate or club level. It really has broadened the talent pool across many more countries than say 20 years ago.
Rather than take a trip down memory lane, I have provided a link to this discussion of the past.
forums.usms.org/showthread.php
Whenever I am swimming at a meet or at o.w. event, I always mention my two years at Chattanooga, back in 1967-68, where I was in the b-team and the only thing left for me to swim, if I wanted to be in the team, was a miserable 100 fly and the 200 i.m., which no one wanted. But, you older guys might remember that one was allowed to switch to butterfrog if you did it at a turn, so I always finished the 100 fly with a frog kick. So, I guess I am guilty of this perversion since way back...Master swimming is only began earnestly here in the backwoods where I live for the last 4 years or so. At one time I held the state 50-55 and later 55-59 records for 100, 200, 400 and 800 free in SCM and LCM. Alas, the last couple of years I've been put in my true place by former good swimmers who have begun competing at Masters. I still get first place in most 1,000 meters o.w. at my age, when I am usually the only one swimming. Most people will be surprised that I can swim, and that I even swim in a "dirty" lake. billy fanstone
I always mention my two years at Chattanooga, back in 1967-68, where I was in the b-team
Billy...that's because your team is the "b-team" Maccallie, home of the little dust devil.
haha....sorry...I couldn't resist taking a cheap shot at your old school.
John
