What male swimmers would you want to be the wife of and why?

I would think a marriage where one spouse is a complete non-athlete, and has never really experienced that life, would be difficult in many ways. As someone in this situation, it can be challenging, especially when you throw child sporting activities into the mix. But in my case, she hangs where she can and bails where she feels she needs to.

This is such an interesting question, seeing as few of us (if any) know these swimmers. Now, I certainly have a list of male swimmers I would enjoy, um, doing inappropriate things to (Ous Mellouli I'm looking at you) but what a funny understanding of marriage.

So, in answer to the question, I prefer not being married to a male swimmer. Being married to a swimmer is great. Don't have to explain the rules of taper. Do I want to reveal who I would be married to in Fantasyland? Nah. Suffice to say it would be great for him to teach me his native language and pick his quasi-Ivy League brain.

I could never be the "perfect sporting wife." Probably not even a good regular "wife" depending on who's definition you're using ... (Please, not Elise's. ;)) However, I'll mull the "or" part over and possibly respond. I may have to go dig up that excerpt from the 1950s home economics textbook.

Why don't we have a "What female swimmers..." version of this thread. I could think of a few that..... This is sure to bring out the DOM comments. :D

And to think I almost passed this thread by mostly b/c I love being the wife of a non-athlete (he works out but doesn't compete). I dated more than a few athletes in high school and college and dang, we are HIGH maintenance in so many areas. My problem was I started competing against them and things usually would get ugly pretty quick. Stud, Nooooooooooo. . . I prefer being a girlie girl! So, in answer to the question, I prefer not being married to a male swimmer.

So, in answer to the question, I prefer not being married to a male swimmer. Me too.

I have to say I agree with (S)he-Puff. I don't see how you can have two fanatic athletes in one family. If you add kids in there, it's even harder. I have to offer the other point of view. My wife and I compete in nearly everything together (except running events, where I can't). That means we train together, share goals and ideas, and have common motivations. She beats the snot out of me in XC ski races and I can still hold her off in swimming. On the bike and in the weight room (if you go by percentage of body weight), we are about the same. There is never an issue that I have to go bowling or she has to go shopping and we don't have different ideas about vacations (they ALWAYS must revolve around our training goals) - we always do things together. As a result, we've developed the same deep love of food, beer and wine. We've been married since 1966.

I would think a marriage where one spouse is a complete non-athlete, and has never really experienced that life, would be difficult in many ways. Just like I don't really understand my wife's love of cats (we have three, all former strays)...though now I can appreciate them more than I did. Have to agree here. Husband and I help our kids get through the tough times by relaying our stories and are able to translate the issues into life lessons. I think we appreciate what each other has gone through, albeit with totally different sports. As for the alternate husband choice, I had huge crushes on Pablo Morales and Steve Lundquist when I was a teenager. But now? Ryan Lochte is absolutely adorable.

Aaron Peirsol...'nuff said. And Ande, no need to pass along my feelings to Aaron. I did that quite eloquently when we met in Austin. As I recall the conversation went something like this: Aaron: So you just swam the 200 back? Me: (drooling) Uh, yeah. Aaron: How'd you do? Me: (still drooling) Um, ok. Aaron: Cool. Me: Yeah, thanks. Pure chemistry!