Eyes move from lane to lane behind the blocks as muscular arms pull down caps and palms of hands press into goggles. Songs play quietly in the background as names are announced and hands are waved to the crowd.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Photo Courtesy: Arizona Republic-USA TODAY Sports<\/p><\/div>\n
As swimmers step onto the blocks, a hush envelops the arena at the start but transcends to a roar as the athletes complete the laps of their event. The announcer gives his play-by-play into the last lap – it is a close race between two swimmers trying to get a hand on the wall first. With each stroke, the spectators’ heart rates increase. Fifteen meters\u2026 ten meters\u2026 five meters! As fingertips graze the wall, everything stops like a game of freeze. Swimmers are floating mid-pool, officials are leaning over walls, and coaches are jumping in mid-air.<\/span><\/p>\n
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Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick<\/p><\/div>\n
The live-stream is buffering, and in this moment, you remember that you are not actually in the stands after all but instead are watching from your computer screen. <\/span><\/p>\n
Although live-stream or TV may be the closest you have come to watching elite swimmers compete, if the opportunity ever arises to see them swim in person, take it. \u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n
Where The Magic Happens<\/b><\/h1>\n
With no lagging or delays, watching elite athletes compete is a front row seat to the magic. While media photographers, broadcasters and writers can capture only so much of what these athletes do, cheering from the stands engages all your senses and magnifies the excitement. Although TV captures underwater shots and up-close views, witnessing live the amount of power these athletes generate is truly remarkable. Above all, there is an inexplicable feeling of watching the heat winner\u2019s hand hit the wall and experiencing that moment of silence as heads turn to the scoreboard in unison.<\/span><\/p>\n
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Photo Courtesy: Molly Griswold<\/p><\/div>\n
When the race is not particularly close between swimmers, a camera lens can capture merely a fraction of the true picture of what is happening. So on camera, when <\/span>Katie Ledecky<\/b> is swimming, many of her competitors might remain completely out of view. But in person, you can actually witness her power – especially in long distance races – as she increasingly builds the length of her lead against the field with every subsequent lap.<\/span><\/p>\n
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Photo Courtesy: Molly Griswold<\/p><\/div>\n
There is also something extremely special about having the opportunity to witness some of the most iconic and important moments in swimming history. For example, just recently at the TYR Pro Series meet in Bloomington, <\/span>Nathan Adrian<\/b> submerged himself in competition (quite literally) for the first time since his cancer diagnosis<\/a>. Since Adrian has been so open in his communication to fans about his progress, they were able to actually cheer for and support him during such a pivotal and symbolic moment in his life.<\/span><\/p>\n
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A post shared by Nathan Adrian (@nathangadrian)<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n