‘Below the Surface:’ As Olympics Approach, New Book Offers Chance to Dive Into Sport’s History & Iconic Moments

‘Below the Surface:’ As Olympics Approach, New Book Offers Chance to Dive Into Sport’s History & Iconic Moments

Just ahead of this summer’s Olympic Games in Tokyo, Rowman & Littlefield Publishing has released Below the Surface: The History of Competitive Swimming. The title, written by Swimming World Editor-in-Chief John Lohn, provides a comprehensive look at the sport, ranging from chapters on the legends of the pool, to controversies, historic moments, the impact of doping and more.

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In the nearly 300 pages of content, various aspects of competitive swimming are explored. Several chapters examine the career of Michael Phelps, including his scintillating victory over Milorad Cavic in the final of the 100-meter butterfly at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing. That triumph, by a mere .01, kept alive Phelps’ march toward a record-breaking eight gold medals.

Additional chapters cover the English Channel crossing of Gertrude Ederle, who spanned the distance faster than any man, the 1980 United States boycott of the Olympic Games in Moscow, the East German systematic doping program, and the greatest coaches the sport has seen. In between, more than 30 additional topics/moments are analyzed, and photographs from Swimming World’s Peter Bick are found throughout the book.

Rowdy Gaines, the three-time Olympic champion and Voice of Swimming, and Bob Bowman, the man who crafted the career of Phelps and guided the 2016 U.S. Men’s Olympic Team, have generously provided their endorsements.

The book was released in mid-June and orders are being taken by Rowman & Littlefield. The flyer to the left offers a discount code for 30% savings. The title can also be purchased on Amazon.

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