Do you know of any Olympic swimmers who were a late starter? (Except for the Comorian girl this year)
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Ed Moses swam in a summer league as a child but then stopped for a while. He didn’t start swimming year-round until he was 16 or 17, making him probably the oldest swimmer to begin serious training that late. I also know a few others who started swimming in high school and went on to compete internationally or at the Division 1 level.
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This year I don’t think I know someone but from the past years I know a couple of them.
They include:
- Anthony Ervin: Although he did not start late, he took a significant break from swimming. He won a gold medal in the 2000 Sydney Olympics, retired, and then made a comeback to win another gold at the age of 35 in the 2016 Rio Olympics.
- Dara Torres: While she did not start swimming late, she made a remarkable comeback to the sport at the age of 33 after a seven-year break. She competed in five Olympic Games and won three silver medals at the age of 41 in the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
While many elite swimmers begin their careers at a young age, some exceptional athletes have achieved Olympic success later in life.
Notable Late Starters:
- Anthony Ervin: At age 35, Ervin won Olympic gold in the 50-meter freestyle, becoming the oldest Olympic swimming gold medalist.
- Dara Torres: A multiple Olympic medalist, Torres made a remarkable comeback to compete in the 2008 and 2012 Olympics after retirement.
These athletes demonstrate that with dedication, hard work, and talent, it’s possible to achieve great success even with a later start.