Swimming World Presents “The Greatest Swim in History”

Greatest Swim in History Steve Clark Jeff Farrell
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The Greatest Swim in History

By ISHOF’s own Historian and Curator, Bruce Wigo

At the 1965 AAU Short Course Nationals, a capacity crowd of 3,000 thought they had just seen “the greatest swim in history.” They cheered wildly for FIVE MINUTES after Steve Clark had broken the 46-second barrier in the 100 yard freestyle with a 45.6. After watching Caeleb Dressel’s three barrier-breaking swims at last year’s NCAAs—and believing that Dressel can swim even faster—Clark, now 75, believes “the greatest swim in history has yet to happen.”

As I write this article, the 2019 NCAA Division I Swimming and Diving Championships have yet to take place, but in 2018, an American short course yards record was bettered 12 times at the men’s NCAAs, with eight American records broken at the women’s meet. If history provides any indication, we can expect similar results in Austin this year.

Of course, the most sensational of the records from last year’s collegiate championships were those set by Caeleb Dressel in the 50 and 100 yard free as well as the 100 fly—all barrier-breaking swims.

In the stands watching Dressel swim in Minneapolis last year was 74-year-old Steve Clark. If there is one name in the history of swimming I’d compare to Caeleb Dressel, it’s Clark’s.

When we compare history’s times in swimming to those in running—specifically, the 100-yard swim to the 400-meter run (which both take approximately the same amount of time)—we see an incredible contrast.

Since 1900, the world record for running the 400 has improved less than five seconds—from 47.8y to 43.03, set by South Africa’s Wayde van Niekerk at the 2016 Rio Olympics. Over the same period, swimming times for the 100 yard freestyle have improved by more than 20 seconds—from 1:00.6 to Dressel’s 39.90.

How can one explain the incredible and continual improvement in swimming times while the record for the 400-meter run has stayed relatively stable for more than 50 years?…

To continue reading the full Greatest Swim in History article,
check out the April 2019 issue of Swimming World Magazine, available now!

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FEATURES

016 2018 TOP 12 WORLD MASTERS SWIMMERS OF THE YEAR
by Dan D’Addona, David Rieder and Taylor Brien

022 A CUT ABOVE THE REST
by Michael Randazzo
Despite Jovan Vavic’s stunning eviction from Troy, USC and Stanford remain the teams to beat at this year’s NCAA Women’s Water Polo Championships in May. The Trojans beat the Cardinal 5-4 last year at their home pool, but Stanford will play host to the NCAA’s top teams in 2019. In the past nine years, Stanford has captured five national titles, with USC winning four—including two of the last three.

026 OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS
by Michael Randazzo
Paola Dominguez-Castro, a high school junior living in Hialeah, Fla.—and considered one of the most impressive young water polo talents in the country—has the opportunity to break free of the environment that has both sustained and developed that talent, and become an example for others who might aspire to greater success.

030 THE GREATEST SWIM IN HISTORY
by Bruce Wigo
At the 1965 AAU Short Course Nationals, a capacity crowd of 3,000 thought they had just seen “the greatest swim in history.” They cheered wildly for FIVE MINUTES after Steve Clark had broken the 46-second barrier in the 100 yard freestyle with a 45.6. After watching Caeleb Dressel’s three barrier-breaking swims at last year’s NCAAs—and believing that Dressel can swim even faster—Clark, now 75, believes “the greatest swim in history has yet to happen.”

034 NUTRITION: AROUND THE TABLE WITH MICHIGAN LAKESHORE AQUATICS
by Dan D’Addona and Dawn Weatherwax

COACHING

010 LESSONS WITH THE LEGENDS: TAMAS SZECHY
by Michael J. Stott

014 SWIMMING TECHNIQUE CONCEPTS: CONDITIONING TO OPTIMIZE TECHNIQUE (Part 1)
by Rod Havriluk

038 WHAT COACHES CAN LEARN FROM SWIMMERS (Part 2)
by Michael J. Stott
This is the second of a two-part series in which Swimming World shares epiphanies from coaches whose athletes fundamentally altered their coaching philosophy. Last month’s article dealt with the individuality of swimmers. This month, coaches discuss the importance of feedback.

040 SPECIAL SETS: IM TRANSITION SETS
by Michael J. Stott
Ken Heis, head coach of the Mason (Ohio) Manta Rays, has a studied approach to IM training, honed by experimentation and experience. Here the four-time Ohio Swimming Coach of the Year shares some sample IM transition sets.

043 Q&A WITH COACH ADAM EPSTEIN
by Michael J. Stott

044 HOW THEY TRAIN :LUKAS MACEK
by Michael J. Stott

TRAINING

013 DRYSIDE TRAINING: EXERCISE EQUIPMENT SERIES—TRX SUSPENSION STRAPS
by J.R. Rosania

JUNIOR SWIMMER

036 GOLDMINDS: LESSONS ABOUT LOSING
by Wayne Goldsmith

046 UP & COMERS: NATALIE MANNION
by Taylor Brien

COLUMNS

008 A VOICE FOR THE SPORT

009 BEYOND THE YARDS

025 MOMS AT MEETS

029 DID YOU KNOW? ISHOF/MASTERS HALL OF FAMERS

047 GUTTER TALK

048 PARTING SHOT

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Allan Kopel
Allan Kopel
5 years ago

The Swimming World article noted that: Since 1900, the world record for running the 400 has improved less than five seconds—from 47.8 to 43.03, set by South Africa’s Wayde van Niekerk at the 2016 Rio Olympics. Over the same period, swimming times for the 100 yard freestyle have improved by more than 20 seconds—from 1:00.6 to Dressel’s 39.90.- Swimming is such a technique dependent sport (SKILL) which explains how the sport (techniques) has evolved and refined over time. Running, while a great sport also with amazing athletes, is not as technique dependent, both in terms of velocity production and drag minimization, thus lending insight into how 2 races of comparable times (energy output) can have different time advancement.

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Andrew Pierce
Andrew Pierce
5 years ago

Technology in swimming has changed – wool and then nylon and now tech suits… plus leak-proof goggles. Goggles probably are the biggest difference since they allow swimmers to train 4-5 hours a day.

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Tim Roberts
Tim Roberts
5 years ago

In 1975 no one ever went under 45 in the 100 free. Andy Coan still in high school did a 43.9.He skipped the 44’s. Put that as one of the greatest swims in history.

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Judd Jones
Judd Jones
5 years ago

The greatest swim in history was by 60-year-old Laura Val in 2011, who set six world records in a single race. Stunning. https://swimswam.com/laura-val-sets-6-world-records-in-the-greatest-race-ever/

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David Roach
David Roach
5 years ago

I was fortunate to be in attendance that night in 1965. Incredible swim for Steve Clark in his last swim at Yale.

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