The Magic of the Olympic Year

Photo Courtesy: Guy Rhodes-USA TODAY Sports

By Erin Himes, Swimming World College Intern

For swimming, Olympic years attract an audience far greater than any year before or after. Stories of early morning workouts, 12,000 calorie meal plans, and tireless dedication fill our TV screens and phones, showing off to the outside world what is normally just known to us. Our sport lends itself to one of the greatest messages the Olympics send to the world, that hard work and resiliency lead to success.

Photo Courtesy: Wikimedia Commons

For two weeks, people all over the world tune in to the world of swimming, intently watching and engaging in our culture. In fact, many sources report Michael Phelps and Ryan Lochte as the most talked about athletes of the 2012 games. Olympic summers lead to recognition for swimmers everywhere and an increased interest in the sport we all love. However, what this summer will do for the sport of swimming goes far beyond some news stories and social recognition.

Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick

Olympic summers lead to an increase of swimming involvement all over the United States. USA Swimming consistently sees a rise in membership year after year, but the rise following an Olympic summer is always much higher. Swimming’s Olympic popularity has kept numbers rising drastically every year since Athens, a trend that seems to go hand in hand with the rise of Michael Phelps’ Olympic medal count.

Membership increased by 7.3%, 11.3%, and 13.2% in 2005, 2009, and 2013, respectively. The inspiration shown on TV and social media is driving people toward the sport of swimming and leading to immense growth, a trend that hopefully will continue far into the future.

Photo Courtesy: Rob Schumacher/USA Today Sports

For a sport that doesn’t garner much attention any other time, it is gratifying for swimmers young and old to watch people like them compete and succeed on television. It makes what is usually passed over as a boring, individual sport a glowing example of camaraderie and spirit.

So as you watch the U.S. Olympic Team grow these next few days, know that you are watching the sport of swimming grow as well. Olympic excitement stretches far past the athletes that participate, reaching the homes of people everywhere and inspiring the next generation of swimming stars.

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