Swimming and the Green-Eyed Monster

Photo Courtesy: SWTV

By Elise Campbell, Swimming World College Intern

Jealousy is not uncommon among competitive athletics. Swimming, though blessed with team aspects, is largely an individual sport. It is also a sport in which athletes can directly compare themselves to others in a numerical way. Simply put, swimmers know exactly who the best athletes are and can relate their times to their own.

Where It Comes From

Jealousy stems from comparison. In swimming these comparisons are mainly time-based, but there are other aspects to consider as well.

Lifestyle

Photo Courtesy: Rob Schumacher/USA Today Sports Images

Fast swimming usually means traveling, sometimes around the world. It can also mean a future at a top university, financial benefits and the list goes on. Because of the prevalence of social media in daily life, lifestyle differences are apparent. Who wouldn’t want to travel the world competing in something they love? Jealousy often lurks here.

Appearance

jessica-hardy-posed-santa-clara-2015 (2) green-eyed monster

Photo Courtesy: JD Lasica

Though this may be more common for the female athletes, appearance can stir up jealous emotions. We are constantly half-naked and women have little hope for a layer of makeup to stay put. When athletes compare their bodies to others, particularly damaging jealousy can occur. Most female swimmers have heard or said, “She’s pretty AND fast? That’s not fair.” Men likely think similarly but may not voice the thought.

Success

Jul 16, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Brandonn Almeida of Brazil celebrates after winning the men's swimming 400m individual medley final during the 2015 Pan Am Games at Pan Am Aquatics UTS Centre and Field House. Mandatory Credit: Rob Schumacher-USA TODAY Sports

Photo Courtesy: Rob Schumacher/USA Today Sports Images

Obviously, jealousy based on success and fast times is huge in swimming. Rivalry can be fun and beneficial but it can also turn nasty and hurt your mental game. Everyone wants to beat their training partner in the pool and it is OK to be competitive. Jealousy crosses that competitive line into dangerous territory.

Put the Team First

On a larger scale, the green-eyed monster is detrimental to a successful team environment. There will always be standouts on swim teams, just like there will always be those trying to keep up. Particularly with teens and young adult swimmers, jealous athletes try to figure out why someone is supposedly better.

Do they train harder? Is it natural talent working in their favor?

These thoughts can often lead to criticism. If the jealous deem the successful unworthy of said success, critical and hurtful thoughts and comments occur. This is where the team suffers.

If teammates are talking poorly of one another instead of supporting achievement and fast swimming, the team environment falls apart. The fun and benefits of being on a swim team come from having others support you in your goals. There are few circumstances where a group of people will cheer you on in both failure and success. If jealousy manages to destroy a team, even in a small way, the sport of swimming loses some of what makes it special.

Defeating Jealous Emotions

Apart from identifying jealousy and its causes, there are a few ways to stop the green-eyed monster in its tracks.

Support Everyone

Haley Anderson celebrates 500 free win with teammates. green-eyed monster

Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick

Though you may not always feel like it, supporting everyone (sincerely or not) is a simple way to quell jealousy. Fake it ’till you make it, eventually allowing yourself to be genuinely happy for others. The ability to do so will benefit well beyond the sport of swimming.

Focus on Yourself

Photo Courtesy: Pia Ellegaard Mortensen

There are two parts to this one. Focusing on yourself pulls your attention away from your jealousy. It also allows you to improve and find success on your own. By diverting your attention and energy in a positive way you can only benefit, both athletically and personally.

Look Forward

There will always be someone faster, so focus on what you can control. Medal counts and fast times are important in terms of athleticism, but who you are and how you treat others has more significance longterm. We are athletes and swimmers for the moment, but that ends all too quickly. Learning valuable lessons now only spurs achievement later on in life.

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