Thank You Swimming! A Letter of Appreciation From an Outsider

Thank You Swimming! A Letter of Appreciation From an Outsider

I’ve been protecting this sport for 20-plus years, most of that point for Swimming World. It’s been a pleasure, and I really feel past lucky to have attended 5 Olympic Games, a number of editions of the World Championships and quite a few occasions on the nationwide degree. Not positive what the long run holds, however I’m excited to seek out out.

Truthfully, it has been an unlikely marriage.

I don’t come from a swimming background. Played a bunch of different sports activities in my youthful years, and whereas my finest good friend competed for Suburban Swim Center within the Philadelphia space, my pool publicity was largely restricted to backyards and resorts. Sometimes, although, sure doorways open, and also you don’t know what’s on the opposite facet except you stroll via.

Growing up, I knew what I wished to do for a profession. Sports journalism known as my title at a younger age, and as I began faculty at La Salle University, I used to be given the possibility to jot down for a neighborhood newspaper, the Delaware County Daily Times. Eventually, I used to be assigned a winter sports activities beat. Probably not onerous to determine which one, proper?

As I walked into Upper Darby High School to cowl my first swim meet, I had no clue what to anticipate. Heck, I wore a sweater, which didn’t mesh effectively with the 80-degree temperature contained in the natatorium. Times meant nothing to me. I didn’t know if the pool was measured in yards or meters. Oh, sure, there was a lot to study.

When the final particular person occasion of the meet was contested, even a novice like myself may work out somebody particular was within the pool. That day within the late Nineteen Nineties, Brendan Hansen touched first within the 100-yard breaststroke whereas representing Haverford High. His closest pursuer was about 15 yards again. In a matter of 57 seconds, I noticed one thing: “John, you better learn quick.”

Of course, Brendan went on to ship a Hall of Fame profession, flourishing as a collegiate star on the University of Texas, as a six-time Olympic medalist and as a frontrunner for Team USA.

Indeed, I did all I may to study concerning the sport. I relied on coaches, most notably Tom Robinson of Radnor High School, officers and oldsters to coach me. They had been type. They had been affected person. Fairly rapidly, I began to know my stuff. Times had that means. And with Hansen starring, I pitched a characteristic on him to Swimming World. Initially rejected, I inquired once more a number of months later, and was given the possibility to craft a characteristic about Hansen and a number of other different rising breaststrokers, together with Ed Moses and Kyle Salyards. The work was deemed high quality sufficient for Editor Phil Whitten to proceed handy me assignments, and the remaining—as they are saying—is historical past.

There is little doubt which second is my favourite from my time protecting this sport. Seeing Michael Phelps win his eighth gold medal contained in the Water Cube on the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing is one thing I’ll always remember. And watching Katie Ledecky outline herself as the best feminine swimmer in historical past has been memorable, too.

Yet, via a wider lens, being concerned within the sport has offered a deep appreciation for the athletes. The sacrifices made—from early-morning wakeups to lacking out on social engagements—converse to the self-discipline and dedication of swimmers. Predominantly, swimmers are wonderful college students, pushing themselves as onerous within the classroom as they do within the water. And more often than not, swimmers are high-character people, well mannered and supportive.

When I look again at how I got here to ascertain a significant relationship with this wonderful sport, “lucky” is the primary phrase that involves thoughts. It could also be cliché, however I used to be definitely in the correct place on the proper time. Now, greater than 20 years later, enable me to handle the athletes, coaches, dad and mom, officers, followers, meet organizers and assist employees I’ve encountered with two easy phrases:

Thank you.