The Impact of Airing Olympic Swimming in Primetime

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Photo Courtesy: USA TODAY Sports-USA TODAY Sports

Editorial Coverage Sponsored By FINIS

By Alison Murtagh, Swimming World College Intern

“Our school has a swim team?” –A question many swimmers are asked all too often when they talk about their dedication to the sport or an upcoming meet. Swimmers can be regularly overlooked in the realm of sports and athletics, despite the amazing physical and mental strength these athletes have, even when compared to athletes of more ‘popular’ sports.

However, every four years the Olympics do something magical for the sport of swimming. Athletes like Michael Phelps, Katie Ledecky, Missy Franklin, and Ryan Lochte bring swimming to center stage. Not to mention Olympic rookies like Maya DiRado, Kathleen Baker, and Chase Kalisz who have won over the hearts of Americans.

Swimmers often go unrecognized for their daily training— the early morning practices, the dryland sessions, and the three-day swim meets. However, the Olympics spotlight the determination and hard work of swimmers everywhere. While only a select few make the US Olympic Team, these exceptional athletes are able to publicize the sport worldwide. For a few days every four years, swimming replaces football for the primetime slot on television, and Americans gather around in their living rooms to watch the sport that is already so dearly loved by the swimming community. The Olympics is more than just a sporting event— it brings people together.

Photo Courtesy: Jack Gruber-USA TODAY Sports

The Olympics inspire young and old athletes around the country to meander over to their local pools and go for a swim. Adolescents exclaim how they want to be “just like Michael Phelps” and win an Olympic gold medal. Viewers are shown the hardship and the glory of the sport, and see the result of four years of early mornings and late nights spent in the pool.

Over the past few weeks, restaurants, stores, and homes across the country aired swimming on their televisions. The country felt a sense of unity when the women’s 400 medley relay earned the country’s 1000^th gold medal from a Summer Olympic Games. Viewers everywhere were pulling for Simone Manuel to win a gold medal, and for “Momma on a Mission” Dana Vollmer to reach her goals in the 100 meter butterfly yet again.

People stopped what they were doing to watch Phelps win his final race— despite the fact they may never have watched a swim meet in their lives. Others jumped out of their chairs when DiRado won her first individual gold medal in the 200 meter backstroke. With people beginning to hop on the swimming bandwagon, swimming is becoming more publicized across the country.

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Photo Courtesy: Rob Schumacher-USA TODAY Sports

People who have never spoken about swimming before are now chatting with their neighbors about the extraordinary 19-year-old Katie Ledecky who won the 800 meter freestyle by nearly 12 seconds. Others are posting on social media about the excitement of the Games in Rio’s aquatics center. Others are simply gawking when they find out how much food swimmers actually consume.

With the swimming portion of the Olympics wrapped up, we swim fans are left to wonder—is this the last time we will be able to see swimming during primetime for another four years? Potentially, yes. However, as some of the best swimmers in the world begin to garner more publicity, this could change. The sport of swimming is already loved by many, and with Team USA making an enormous splash in Rio, hopefully the hearty fan base will continue to grow.

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Kate Hauck

7 years ago

It should never have been in prime time there as it meant 10pm starts for swimming finals in Rio .Ridiculous. TV should never dictate the time of events but money always wins .

Sarah Gillott

7 years ago

Reply to Kate Hauck

I totally agree, it wasn’t fair for the swimmers. My alarm went at 2am every night for a week, so the British swimmers were effectively swimming in the middle of the night.

Smart Man

7 years ago

Reply to Sarah Gillott

As if Britain is the center of the universe and British swimmers were the only ones affected! LOL Athletes come from all over the globe, from every different time zone. They adjust to wherever they are, and whatever the schedule is. The same thing happened to hundreds of swimmers four years ago in London, trying to adjust to your ridiculous time zone. Yes, clearly the Rio Olympics should be based on the London time zone and cater their schedule to the British athletes.

Bob

7 years ago

…as our school board considers closing the High School pool because they failed to maintain it and are now looking at a large expense. Thanks Valley View School District, Archbald, Pennsylvania. 18403.