There is another good US swimming story that doesn't involve Phelps or Ledecky and it culminates tomorrow night.
US swimmer Anthony Ervin, at age 19, won the gold medal in the 50 freestyle in the 2000 Sydney Olympics (tied with Gary Hall Jr). He then completely stopped swimming competitively, for ten years. I won't get into the smaller details here, but he started training again for the London Olympics, and at age 31 he not only made the team but made the finals. He unfortunately had an atrocious start off of the blocks, but his incredible speed still brought him back to 5th place.
Well Anthony is now 35, has made the Olympics again, and will race tomorrow night in the 50 free final. It is simply astonishing; sprinters aren't supposed to be able to do this (especially with a 10 year retirement). His times are as good as they have ever been, and he is racing against men in their 20's. The guy has been to three Olympics, made three finals in a brutal race which like the 100 dash in track and field allows for zero mistakes, has won a gold medal, and has never swum in the Olympics during his 20's. Anthony may be the most talented pure sprinter that the US has ever had (when just looking from a native talent standpoint).
I will be rooting hard for Anthony tomorrow night (as well as Nathan Adrian), and if he still wants to, I hope the ageless man continues to compete into the future.
Manaudou from France is certainly the favorite, but if Anthony can get a good start he has a good chance to win. He, even at 35, is faster than everyone while swimming (ie, excluding the start).
US swimmer Anthony Ervin, at age 19, won the gold medal in the 50 freestyle in the 2000 Sydney Olympics (tied with Gary Hall Jr). He then completely stopped swimming competitively, for ten years. I won't get into the smaller details here, but he started training again for the London Olympics, and at age 31 he not only made the team but made the finals. He unfortunately had an atrocious start off of the blocks, but his incredible speed still brought him back to 5th place.
Well Anthony is now 35, has made the Olympics again, and will race tomorrow night in the 50 free final. It is simply astonishing; sprinters aren't supposed to be able to do this (especially with a 10 year retirement). His times are as good as they have ever been, and he is racing against men in their 20's. The guy has been to three Olympics, made three finals in a brutal race which like the 100 dash in track and field allows for zero mistakes, has won a gold medal, and has never swum in the Olympics during his 20's. Anthony may be the most talented pure sprinter that the US has ever had (when just looking from a native talent standpoint).
I will be rooting hard for Anthony tomorrow night (as well as Nathan Adrian), and if he still wants to, I hope the ageless man continues to compete into the future.
Manaudou from France is certainly the favorite, but if Anthony can get a good start he has a good chance to win. He, even at 35, is faster than everyone while swimming (ie, excluding the start).
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