It’s hard to pinpoint the moment where I finally realized that this wouldn’t be a normal Olympics for the USA. If I had to choose, it was during the Men’s 200 Fly. America had already only managed one semi-finalist, the 17 year old phenom Thomas Heilman. Heilman put in a valiant semi-final swim, but ultimately tied up on the final stretch. There would be no American finalist in the 200 fly.
If US Olympic Trials are the “swim coach Super Bowl”, then I’m out of superlatives for the Olympics. Perhaps because it is more exclusive in terms of what coaches actually get to don their glistening synthetic polo shirts. The Olympics just is, it’s the assumed final boss of everything that we do, the aspiration of many but also an unrealistic dream for most of that many.
One of the biggest obstacles people face is finding a place to swim, especially in an unfamiliar area. One of the greatest websites in the world exists to solve this problem. It is called swimmersguide. Simply type in your address and swimmersguide will give you a comprehensive lists of pools you may be able to get into.
I believe in aI believe in a fundamental rule in the long term development of athletes. I see it broken all the time, across teams at all levels. I believe athletes ought to choose their sport, but oftentimes are never given that choice. fundamental rule in the long term development of athletes. I see it broken all the time, across teams at all levels. I believe athletes ought to choose their sport, but oftentimes are never given that choice.
