“Michael’s vision is to increase swimming in the US"
Former Member
Ok - Phelps is at the top of his career and his popularity - How could he (or anybody else working with him) help to improve swimming in the United States ?
What do we need - grassroot swimcamps ? A Michael Phelps US swimming tour ? Phelps racing various people around the country ?
Can we get 5000 people into a pool + TV coverage for a Lochte + Peirsol vs Phelps showdown ? I am certain Track and Field will have some big money races in Europe following the Olympis. How much would somebody pay to have Phelps race Cavic in 3 weeks ?
I think we are deluding ourselves if we think that one person can increase swimming in the US. Phelps can increase awareness is a "non-revenue" sport like swimming, but that will fade over time. What will enable swimming to grow is more quality facilities, well-run events at all levels, competent coaching, and sustained effort by the participants. The strength of swimming should not be predicated by having an amazing swimmer as your poster child.
That said, I hope Michael Phelps helps our sport.
Here is the challenge:
*Pools are closing or operating on shorter hours.
*Pools are used for non-lap swimming activities.
*College teams are disappearing at all levels.
*Kids and adults are getting fatter.
*Swimming is not an inexpensive athletic activity.
*NGOs for swimming are not run as well as other sports.
At the top level, swimming looks to be in good shape. But look down a little bit and things are beginning to look hollow. What will sustain swimming and enable our sport to flourish is working on organizational fundamentals. We must make sure that swimming meets the needs of our customers so they keep coming back to the pool. This means at all levels from recreational to world-class.
Just my $0.02 worth...
I think we are deluding ourselves if we think that one person can increase swimming in the US. Phelps can increase awareness is a "non-revenue" sport like swimming, but that will fade over time. What will enable swimming to grow is more quality facilities, well-run events at all levels, competent coaching, and sustained effort by the participants. The strength of swimming should not be predicated by having an amazing swimmer as your poster child.
That said, I hope Michael Phelps helps our sport.
Here is the challenge:
*Pools are closing or operating on shorter hours.
*Pools are used for non-lap swimming activities.
*College teams are disappearing at all levels.
*Kids and adults are getting fatter.
*Swimming is not an inexpensive athletic activity.
*NGOs for swimming are not run as well as other sports.
At the top level, swimming looks to be in good shape. But look down a little bit and things are beginning to look hollow. What will sustain swimming and enable our sport to flourish is working on organizational fundamentals. We must make sure that swimming meets the needs of our customers so they keep coming back to the pool. This means at all levels from recreational to world-class.
Just my $0.02 worth...
