Splashbacks 2021-Jan.-Feb.: Klete Keller Takes Part in Capitol Insurrection; Olympics Anticipation Begins Anew

Splashbacks 2021-Jan.-Feb.: Klete Keller Takes Part in Capitol Insurrection; Olympics Anticipation Begins Anew

A new year is almost upon us and while we continue to battle the COVID-19 pandemic, there is much to look forward to. Notably, the next version of the World Championships will be held during the spring in Fukuoka, Japan, and the next generation of young stars will begin their push toward the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.

Before we turn our attention to a new year, Swimming World will look back on 2021 in two-month increments. Our Splashback Series, which is an annual tradition, presents the most-read articles from the website. We begin the series by looking at the stories that received the greatest attention in January and February.

1. Klete Keller Appears to Have Been In U.S. Capitol During Incurrection

Photo Courtesy: Screenshot from Townhall Media/Julio Rosas

When the United States Capitol fell under siege during the insurrection in early January, few expected a multi-time Olympian to be present for the chaos. But there was former distance star and medalist Klete Keller, and wearing a Team USA jacket to boot. Keller was eventually charged for his participation and is awaiting sentencing for his acts.

2. Kristin Otto: A Legendary Olympic Performance Shrouded in Doubt

Swimming World took a look back at the career of East German star Kristin Otto, who was the female star of the 1988 Olympic Games in Seoul. The story focused on Otto’s accomplishments, but also the benefits she gained from the systematic-doping program implemented by her homeland from the 1970s into the 1980s.

3. A Letter to Klete Keller: An Opportunity To Grow For Fallen Olympic Champ

Through a guest submission, Ben Fisher penned a letter to Klete Keller following his involvement in the Capitol Insurrection. Fisher was a former collegiate swimmer and offered his personal experiences to Keller, notably that he had a difficult time adjusting to life beyond his competitive days in the pool.

4. Ranking the Best Men’s Swimmers in the World From 1-25 As Olympic Year Arrives

Aug 1, 2021; Tokyo, Japan; Caeleb Dressel (USA) celebrates after winning the men's 50m freestyle final during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Summer Games at Tokyo Aquatics Centre. Mandatory Credit: Rob Schumacher-USA TODAY Sports

Photo Courtesy: Rob Schumacher

In advance of the countdown to the COVID-delayed Olympic Games in Tokyo, Swimming World provided a top-25 ranking of the athletes seeking Olympic glory. This piece was updated occasionally as the year evolved and additional performances had an impact on the initial rankings.

5. Ranking the Best Women’s Swimmers in the World As Objectively As Possible

As was the case with the aforementioned men’s rankings, Swimming World rated the top-25 female swimmers on the planet as the new Olympic year arrived. Again, these rankings were updated on occasion to reflect the latest results from the pool.

6. Denied a Freshman Season at New Mexico, Maddy Archer Shifts Focus to Canadian Trials

This feature piece examined the goals of Maddy Archer, a swimmer for the University of New Mexico and Canadian Olympic hopeful. Matt De George’s piece centered on how Archer was forced to adjust her goals and plans due to the impact of COVID-19.

7. Paralympic Swimmer Jessica Long the Subject of Toyota Super Bowl Ad

Photo Courtesy: Mike Lewis

One of the most-accomplished Paralympians in history, Jessica Long’s story was told in a commercial aired during the Super Bowl between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Kansas City Chiefs. The advertisement tells Long’s story of adoption from Russia and how she overcame obstacles to attain vast Paralympic success.

8. The Big Deal About a Swimmer’s Nutrition

What swimmers put into their bodies as fuel and how these different foods provide a boost always interest our readers. In this article, the author takes a look at which foods are beneficial and explains why they are deemed positive forms of nutrition.

9. Which Stroke Is Truly the Decider in the Individual Medley

Although the individual medley events call for well-balanced athletes, there have always been arguments over which stroke can put a swimmer over the top. In this piece, data is provided to indicate how much each stroke has on the outcome of a medley race.

10. The Swimming Dictionary: A List of Words and Phrases Lost on the Non-Swimmer

The sport of swimming has its own vernacular, and this article gave a look at some of the terms and phrases that might be confusing to someone from the outside. There were plenty of comments from readers who had additional suggestions for the swimming dictionary.

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