﻿{"id":381997,"date":"2019-07-29T07:00:35","date_gmt":"2019-07-29T14:00:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/?p=381997"},"modified":"2019-07-28T07:03:19","modified_gmt":"2019-07-28T14:03:19","slug":"how-to-be-a-better-swim-fan","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/how-to-be-a-better-swim-fan\/","title":{"rendered":"Thoughts on Being a Better Swim Fan"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><em>By Haley Wen, Swimming World College Intern.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Every four years, the Summer Olympics come around and interest in competitive swimming spikes. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">NBC confirms that swimming is one of the top three most-watched sports from the last few Olympics<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Swim fans emerge from the woodworks during this special time.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Top competitors like <strong>Michael Phelps<\/strong> and <strong>Katie Ledecky<\/strong> have reached celebrity status outside of just the swimming arena. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Following the Summer Games in London, CNN reported that there was a 13% increase in those taking up swimming in the US.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> The Summer Olympics are an amazing time to be a swim fan, because for once, your interests are making the big headlines. You overhear your swim idols becoming the topics of small talk over coffee. How many times has that happened during the FINA World Championships or NCAA Championships?<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_216130\" style=\"width: 710px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-216130\" data-attachment-id=\"216130\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/thank-you-michael-phelps\/michael-phelps-usa-flag-2016-rio-olympic-opening-ceremony\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/vmrw8k5h.tinifycdn.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/michael-phelps-usa-flag-2016-rio-olympic-opening-ceremony.jpg\" data-orig-size=\"1145,731\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"michael-phelps-usa-flag-2016-rio-olympic-opening-ceremony\" data-image-description=\"&lt;p&gt;8\/8\/16&lt;br \/&gt;\nmichael-phelps-usa-flag-2016-rio-olympic-opening-ceremony&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Photo Courtesy: Jack Gruber, USA TODAY Sports&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/vmrw8k5h.tinifycdn.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/michael-phelps-usa-flag-2016-rio-olympic-opening-ceremony-700x500.jpg\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/vmrw8k5h.tinifycdn.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/michael-phelps-usa-flag-2016-rio-olympic-opening-ceremony-1024x654.jpg\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-216130\" src=\"https:\/\/vmrw8k5h.tinifycdn.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/michael-phelps-usa-flag-2016-rio-olympic-opening-ceremony-700x500.jpg\" alt=\"michael-phelps-usa-flag-2016-rio-olympic-opening-ceremony\" width=\"700\" height=\"500\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-216130\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Photo Courtesy: Jack Gruber, USA TODAY Sports<\/p><\/div>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Olympics are a boon for the sport of swimming. It is understandable that everyone, swimmers and non-swimmers alike, wants to tune in. It\u2019s easy to get excited about an event that elicits so much fanfare and patriotism. Just look at the recent headlines regarding the United States Women\u2019s National Soccer Team when they won their second World Cup. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vulture.com\/2019\/07\/womens-world-cup-soccer-final-scores-14-million-viewers.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The final game drew 14 million viewers<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. On the day of the game, Budweiser printed <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/musebycl.io\/sports\/what-budweiser-wisely-asking-wake-uss-world-cup-win\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">an ad<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> which reads, \u201cThe world will watch them play today. Who will watch them play tomorrow?\u201d This ad stirs the waters and forces bandwagon fans to examine their intentions. Who is there during both the highs and the lows of their team&#8217;s journey?<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While the fan experience for swim meets is typically sub-par on average, the stands are packed with team spirit at the championships. It is true that majority of the athletes who make up any sport do not compete at the Olympics, and the reality is that not many will ever get the opportunity to compete on a big stage. However, there are still many ways for athletes and swim fans alike to support swimmers at all levels throughout their swimming journey.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>Remember Your Swim Roots<\/h2>\n<div id=\"attachment_186489\" style=\"width: 710px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-186489\" data-attachment-id=\"186489\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/young-timers-2016-easterns\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/vmrw8k5h.tinifycdn.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/young-timers-2016-easterns.jpg\" data-orig-size=\"2400,1600\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;4.5&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;Canon EOS REBEL T5i&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1455923493&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;100&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;6400&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.0025&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"young-timers-2016-easterns\" data-image-description=\"&lt;p&gt;used 6\/7\/18; young-timers-2016-easterns&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Photo Courtesy: Taylor Brien &lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/vmrw8k5h.tinifycdn.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/young-timers-2016-easterns-700x500.jpg\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/vmrw8k5h.tinifycdn.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/young-timers-2016-easterns-1024x683.jpg\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-186489\" src=\"https:\/\/vmrw8k5h.tinifycdn.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/young-timers-2016-easterns-700x500.jpg\" alt=\"young-timers-2016-easterns\" width=\"700\" height=\"500\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-186489\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Photo Courtesy: Taylor Brien<\/p><\/div>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Just because you left a team doesn\u2019t mean you should leave them behind. Checking in on your old team is one of the simplest ways to support swimmers of all levels. It could be your old club team, high school team, college team or even your old rival team. Who are the swimmers qualifying for Sectionals, for Junior Nationals or for Olympic Trials? What colleges are those continuing to swim attending, and how are they doing there? How is your team faring against their old rivals? You can reach out to volunteer, to time, or to work hospitality at their next home meet.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">With access to the internet, swim fans can take to <em>Swimming World<\/em>&#8216;s meet coverage to follow all the highlights at <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/meet\/2019-speedo-sectionals\">Speedo Sectionals<\/a>, Futures, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/meets\/\">and beyond<\/a>!<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>Go to Swim Meets<\/h2>\n<div id=\"attachment_382027\" style=\"width: 710px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-382027\" data-attachment-id=\"382027\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/how-to-be-a-better-swim-fan\/asu-swimmer-celebrates\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/vmrw8k5h.tinifycdn.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/asu-swimmer-celebrates.jpg\" data-orig-size=\"768,432\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"asu-swimmer-celebrates\" data-image-description=\"&lt;p&gt;asu-swimmer-celebrates&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Photo Courtesy: Sun Devil Athletics&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/vmrw8k5h.tinifycdn.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/asu-swimmer-celebrates-700x432.jpg\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/vmrw8k5h.tinifycdn.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/asu-swimmer-celebrates.jpg\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-382027\" src=\"https:\/\/vmrw8k5h.tinifycdn.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/asu-swimmer-celebrates-700x432.jpg\" alt=\"asu-swimmer-celebrates\" width=\"700\" height=\"432\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-382027\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Photo Courtesy: Sun Devil Athletics<\/p><\/div>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It\u2019s great to watch meets when they\u2019re shown on TV or being live streamed, because it shows advertisers and cable companies that there is a market for the sport of swimming. High viewership communicates that if they show swimming, people will tune in. The wider the exposure, the more people will want to get involved. In addition, thanks to apps like <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.active.com\/mobile\/meet-mobile-app\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">MeetMobile<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, the results are still at your fingertips no matter where you live.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">An even better way to be a swim fan is to actually show up at a the meet. Look up the nearest college or high school dual meet, grab a friend and go! Swimmers rarely get the chance to have spectators who aren\u2019t their friends or family at a meet, so your presence can make a huge difference. Watching a college team eek out a win against a rival can be just as exciting as watching Olympians compete.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Matthias McManus, <\/b>f<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ormer swimmer at Arizona State University (ASU), talks about what it was like when <a href=\"https:\/\/thesundevils.com\/news\/2016\/2\/7\/210693641.aspx\">over 2,000 spectators<\/a> came to see ASU duel University of Arizona (UA) his freshman year in 2016. \u201cI\u2019ve never seen anything like it for a dual. People were watching from garages. The energy in the pool was electric, and the crowd was insane,\u201d he reflects. In the end, <a href=\"https:\/\/thesundevils.com\/news\/2016\/2\/7\/210693641.aspx\">the ASU men\u2019s team won the meet, defeating UA for the first time in a decade<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>Expand the Way You View Results<\/h2>\n<div id=\"attachment_283105\" style=\"width: 710px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-283105\" data-attachment-id=\"283105\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/rock-bridge-takes-missouri-class-2-state-title-in-meet-decided-by-final-relay\/rock-bridge-missouri-relay-podium\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/vmrw8k5h.tinifycdn.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/rock-bridge-missouri-relay-podium.png\" data-orig-size=\"815,611\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"rock-bridge-missouri-relay-podium\" data-image-description=\"&lt;p&gt;11\/4\/2017&lt;br \/&gt;\nrock-bridge-missouri-relay-podium&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Photo Courtesy: COMO Swim&#038; Dive Twitter (@COMOswimming)&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/vmrw8k5h.tinifycdn.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/rock-bridge-missouri-relay-podium-700x500.png\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/vmrw8k5h.tinifycdn.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/rock-bridge-missouri-relay-podium.png\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-283105\" src=\"https:\/\/vmrw8k5h.tinifycdn.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/rock-bridge-missouri-relay-podium-700x500.png\" alt=\"rock-bridge-missouri-relay-podium\" width=\"700\" height=\"500\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-283105\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Photo Courtesy: COMO Swim &amp; Dive Twitter, @COMOswimming<\/p><\/div>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When scrolling through the results of a meet &#8211; whether yours, your friend\u2019s or your child\u2019s &#8211; check some results you wouldn\u2019t normally seek out. See what other swimmers are achieving. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Look out for people who dropped a lot of time across the board or who may have made their first junior national time, and watch out for them in the future. A swimmer doesn\u2019t need to be an Olympic athlete to have a career worth noting or even following up on.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>Being a Swim Fan<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Obviously the only real qualification to be a swim fan is a love of the sport, and many people already do a lot to support swimmers everywhere. However, there are ways that we can show our passion for this amazing sport that might go beyond what we might have done in the past. The future of swimming continues to shine brightly &#8211; let&#8217;s keep it that way.<\/span><\/p>\n<h4 style=\"text-align: center;\">Link to NBC Story:\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/sites\/maddieberg\/2016\/08\/04\/gymnastics-track-and-swimming-will-win-ratings-gold-in-rio\/#213eeac15f11\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Gymnastics, Track And Swimming Will Win Ratings Gold In Rio<\/a><\/h4>\n<h4 style=\"text-align: center;\">Link to CNN Story:\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/2016\/08\/13\/sport\/michael-phelps-legacy-rio-2016-olympics\/index.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Michael Phelps Legacy from Rio 2016<\/a><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8211;<\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">All commentaries are the opinion of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Swimming World Magazine nor its staff.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>By Haley Wen, Swimming World College Intern. Every four years, the Summer Olympics come around and interest in competitive swimming spikes. NBC confirms that swimming is one of the top<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7368,"featured_media":191114,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"dois","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[17,7],"tags":[73119,56634,98675,56182,102,98676,98677,56749],"class_list":["post-381997","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-commentary","category-usa","tag-cheering","tag-haley-wen","tag-matthias-mcmanus","tag-olympic-swimming","tag-olympics","tag-swim-fan","tag-swimming-fan","tag-worlds"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v24.3 (Yoast SEO v24.3) - 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