I just saw this article "Swimmer’s death leaves open questions":
"Asked if he’d ever try the event, US swimmer Michael Phelps said, “Not a chance, no way. I won’t do open water.’’
I'm a bit surprised. Is he scared of the dangers of open water? Or is he technically competitive in open water? :rolleyes: Have there been any swimmers who won both pool medal and open-water medal in world events?
Steven Munatones is probably the best person to answer this question.
That said, off the top of my head the best recent examples would probably be:
- David Davies (UK) - 1500m bronze medalist (2004 Olympics and 2005 Worlds), and also 10K O.W. silver medalist (2008 Olympics).
- Chloe Sutton (USA) - 5K O.W. bronze medalist (2008 Worlds), and currently ranked 3rd in the world in the 400 Free (and gold medalist @ Pan Pacs)
World class in open water and almost-but-not-quite world class in the pool? That's a bit more common: Mark Warkentin, Chip Peterson, Alex Meyer, Fran Crippen (all USA), as well as Petar Stoychev (Bulgaria) and Thomas Lurz (Germany).
As for Phelps, he probably just doesn't have the appetite for it. To be great in open water, I think you really need to love it, and at least tolerate all the challenges that it entails (rough water, cold/hot temperatures, jellyfish, physical jostling). Speed and endurance are necessary but not sufficient.
"Asked if he’d ever try the event, US swimmer Michael Phelps said, “Not a chance, no way. I won’t do open water.’’
I'm a bit surprised. Is he scared of the dangers of open water? Or is he technically competitive in open water? :rolleyes: Have there been any swimmers who won both pool medal and open-water medal in world events?
Steven Munatones is probably the best person to answer this question.
That said, off the top of my head the best recent examples would probably be:
- David Davies (UK) - 1500m bronze medalist (2004 Olympics and 2005 Worlds), and also 10K O.W. silver medalist (2008 Olympics).
- Chloe Sutton (USA) - 5K O.W. bronze medalist (2008 Worlds), and currently ranked 3rd in the world in the 400 Free (and gold medalist @ Pan Pacs)
World class in open water and almost-but-not-quite world class in the pool? That's a bit more common: Mark Warkentin, Chip Peterson, Alex Meyer, Fran Crippen (all USA), as well as Petar Stoychev (Bulgaria) and Thomas Lurz (Germany).
As for Phelps, he probably just doesn't have the appetite for it. To be great in open water, I think you really need to love it, and at least tolerate all the challenges that it entails (rough water, cold/hot temperatures, jellyfish, physical jostling). Speed and endurance are necessary but not sufficient.
"Asked if he’d ever try the event, US swimmer Michael Phelps said, “Not a chance, no way. I won’t do open water.’’
I'm a bit surprised. Is he scared of the dangers of open water? Or is he technically competitive in open water? :rolleyes: Have there been any swimmers who won both pool medal and open-water medal in world events?