Swimming World Magazine Covers in Review – 2020
It is a yearly tradition for Swimming World to provide a look back at its magazine covers for the past year. Of course, this year has been anything but typical with the COVID-19 pandemic, but Swimming World continued to highlight the top individuals and stories of the year, some of which were featured on the magazine’s cover. Here is a glance at who graced the front page of the magazine, along with the reasoning for selection.
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January – Ryan Murphy
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Olympic champion backstroker Ryan Murphy opened 2020 on the Swimming World cover. Murphy took time to speak about his hunger to defend his Olympic titles from Rio de Janeiro in the 100 backstroke and 200 backstroke, and what it would take to repeat in his prime events.
February – Ranomi Kromowidjojo
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The Dutchwoman was the Olympic titlist in the 50 freestyle and 100 freestyle at the 2012 Games in London, but has maintained her status as one of the elite sprinters in the world. Kromowidjojo discussed how she has remained focused and what she still wanted to achieve in the sport.
March – Louise Hansson
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The Swedish star, who excelled for the University of Southern California, was the cover choice for the annual NCAA Championships preview. Unfortunately, due to the pandemic, NCAAs were canceled. Still, Hansson talked about how her decision to attend school in the United States was one of the best decisions of her life and provided a boost to her swimming career.
April – Federica Pellegrini
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The Italian superstar has medaled in the 200 freestyle at eight consecutive editions of the World Championships. As she nears the end of her competitive days, Swimming World caught up with the veteran to discuss what she hopes to accomplish in the last chapters of her Hall of Fame career.
May – Dave Durden
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Coaches adorn the cover of Swimming World from time to time and placing Dave Durden in that position was a no-brainer. Not only is Durden the head man of Cal-Berkeley’s powerhouse program, he will be the guy in command of the United States men at next year’s Olympic Games in Tokyo.
June – The Walsh Sisters
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The sister duo of Alex and Gretchen Walsh has provided excitement for the future of Team USA, with both women etching themselves as future stars. While Alex has established herself as a multi-event standout, Gretchen has defined herself as a go-to sprinter who could be a major relay cog for the United States.
July – Duncan Scott
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Because Adam Peaty dominates the 100 breaststroke at such a special level, it is easy for Duncan Scott to be overlooked in the British ranks. But Scott is a major headliner for Great Britain, excelling in the 100 freestyle, 200 freestyle and 200 individual medley. In Tokyo, Scott could land on multiple podiums.
August – High School Record Breakers
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Because of COVID-19, various high school championships were cut short or canceled, leading Swimming World to not select Swimmers of the Year. However, the magazine used the August issue to highlight and pay tribute to the high school athletes who set scholastic records during the 2020 campaign.
September – Matt Grevers
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Now in his mid-30s, Olympic champion Matt Grevers has nothing left to prove in the sport. But the Team USA veteran and captain continues to churn along and took time to talk about his eagerness to return to the Olympic stage and how he keeps performing at a high level in the face of Father Time.
October – Lia Neal
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At a time when systemic racism has been a major problem in the United States, Lia Neal has raised awareness of these problems and pushed for improvements. Neal spoke with Swimming World about what needs to change and what she is trying to do encourage this change.
November – Allison Schmitt
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In the water, Allison Schmitt has put together a Hall of Fame career, punctuated by a gold medal in the 200 freestyle at the 2012 Olympic Games in London. But Schmitt has been equally impressive speaking out about mental health issues and the need for athletes to have outlets and support.
December – Michael Phelps & Katie Ledecky
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The December issue of Swimming World usually honors the world and regional swimmers of the year. But COVID-19 called for a suspension of that tradition. As a replacement, Swimming World selected the best swimmers of the first 20 years of the millennium, with Michael Phelps and Katie Ledecky being honored.