Have any olympic swimmers started at the age of 17?

Question

I'm seventeen and i really like swimming but i suck! i would put in all the dedication time and effort! Do i have a chance?

Answer 1

I think the other answerers misunderstood the question. I don't know of any Olympic swimmers that started at the age of 17. To be at the level it takes to be an Olympic swimmer takes not only years of training, but years of experience in the sport so your body and mind know exactly what to expect physically and mentally.

Do you have a chance? There's always a chance, but to make the Olympic team is not a guarantee for any swimmer, no matter how long or how hard they've been training. Only .5 percent of all competitive U.S. swimmers even make it to the trials and there are millions of swimmers. To make it on the Olympic team is an even scarier statistic, something like 0.002%. I can't remember how many 0s go in front of the 2 though.

I'm not saying this to discourage you, just to give you the reality of what it means to be an Olympic swimmer. I'm saying it's a long shot for anyone, and while it may be possible for you to get there the odds are certainly against you.

Answer 2

No, I am sorry but u have to start at a pretty young age to become an olympian at any sport. It is never to late to start swimming though. If u really like the sport go for it. Don't just do it so u can go to the olympics. U can become really good but most olympians start around the age of 5-8. Sorry

Answer 3

Yes, olympian amanda beard made her first olympic experience at the age of 14 and won 2 silver medals. At the age of 15 michael phelps competed in the 2000 summer olympics.

Answer 4

Look at Elizabeth Beisel, she's 15 and she qualified for Olympics in Beijing this summer in two events. Not to mention she has a pretty good shot at medaling too, since she posted some of the top times in the world this year.