What does it mean when we look at the performance of the US men's swimming team at Beijing without Phelps....... i.e. without the man carrying the team? Is he merely the "Vince Young" of a slightly above average football Team?
We essentially lose the 400 free relay, 100 fly (Ian moves form 4th to 3rd), 200 IM and 400 IM (Lochted moves to silver), 200 free and 200 fly. That's makes 6 less golds and one extra bronze.
The US would effectively only win 2 individual events...... the 200 and 100 back.
Is Phelps a true representation of the state of US men's swimming or and exception?
www.nbcolympics.com/.../index.html
Parents
Former Member
A recent study showed that 60% of black children do not know how to swim. USA Swimming was involved in the study.
www.msnbc.msn.com/.../
Of course demographics has a great deal to do with the fact that only 2% of the kids in USA-S are black. Access to pools is surely a big factor. A year round pool is expensive.
But just because it isn't easy doesn't mean we shouldn't try to improve minority participation in the sport.
For Fort - I too have nothing to offer re: girls and PT other than anecdotal info. But the high school age swimmer kids here hang out with other swimmer kids - both genders. The kids I know complain about tests and homework way more than they complain about workouts.
A recent study showed that 60% of black children do not know how to swim. USA Swimming was involved in the study.
www.msnbc.msn.com/.../
Of course demographics has a great deal to do with the fact that only 2% of the kids in USA-S are black. Access to pools is surely a big factor. A year round pool is expensive.
But just because it isn't easy doesn't mean we shouldn't try to improve minority participation in the sport.
For Fort - I too have nothing to offer re: girls and PT other than anecdotal info. But the high school age swimmer kids here hang out with other swimmer kids - both genders. The kids I know complain about tests and homework way more than they complain about workouts.
