Is 17 Too Late To Start Training For Competitive Swimming?

Question

I'm unfit, but I am willing to work very hard to achieve this goal. I would love to think I could try and achieve a chance of the 2016 Olympics. Do you think 17 is too late to try and achive this as I heard that most swimmers start at an early age. All tips and advice is greatly appreciated.

Answer 1

YES its too late, Phelps was in the 2000 Olympics when he was 15.  You're way behind.  Good Luck, but I suggest changing to a more achievable goal.

Answer 2

Swimming is SUCH a hard sport and you have to give it absolutely everything you've got. If you're really dedicated and do the right amount of hours then there is a chance but its a h**l of a lot of work!

I used to train 8 times a week and totally wore myself out so you have to be careful! If you are going to do it then make sure you get the right amount of sleep every night and eat well! Also make sure your coach knows about your goals so he/she can work with you on trying to achieve it!

hope this helps!

Good luck!! x

Answer 3

Its way too late to start swimming if your ambition is the Olympics, especially if you are British, American or Australian, as its way too competative to make the teams, by the time 2016 comes you will be 25 years old, which alot of swimmers are retired by that age.

As for the earlier answer saying the GB swimmer who won 2 golds started 2 years ago, thats rubbish, I know Becky and she competed in the 2004 Olympic trials when she was 15 (started swimming even earlier than that) so that rubbishes that answer.

Unless you are superhuman and a great swimmer already, I would say no chance, but don't stop yourself from starting swimming, you could still get fit and race in local galas for a team if you are good enough, its great fun !

Answer 4

No, it is not too late.  However, your goal of making the next Olympics may need some consideration.  Remember, to make the US Olympic team (not including relays), you must be one of the top two in an event in the entire country.  In some of the relays, they take the top six or seven.  

Keep in mind that those who made the team had learned to swim and RACE many years ago.  They have special talents that enable them to go that fast.  There are, of course, exceptions but those are so rare that they are hardly worth mentioning.

This does not mean that you shouldn't explore your abilities.  You're likely a senior in high school.  Go out for the water polo and swimming teams and see what happens.

THE #1 most important thing you can do is to learn proper strokes.  One route to learn the strokes and compete is to join a USS (United States Swimming) age group swim team so as to be supervised and trained by a certified swim coach. You MUST learn proper stroke technique before you'll ever develop speed or stamina.

In order to find a local club, google "US Swimming" and you'll have to look around for links for a local swim club.

Again ... the #1 thing is to learn proper stroke. My best swimmers (and some are world ranked - swam in the Olympic trials) do stroke work, to improve strokes, every single day of practice

Answer 5

Im sorry but it is too late.

Answer 6

ahhhh....your doing this because of Michael Phelps aren't you. I would to. Except I just don't have the time to train very hard to become an Olympic swimmer. I think you would need to practice 6 days a week and train those days very very very hard if you would like to achieve that goal. But don't give up. Just keep on trying. Your probably going to college soon since your 17 so sign up for your college swimming team.

Answer 7

I am going to be brutally honest with you. It might be a little too late for you to think about getting into competitive swimming now. Unless you had been a good swimmer all along with good strokes and good speed already.

But if you are unfit, you probably need a lot of help in toning and building your strength and stamina. And seriously, why not have some goals and dreams that is relatively achieveable so that you would not feel too disappointed when it doesn't happen.

I am not trying to throw you off it entirely but I am just being realistic with you. You do not need to hear a bunch of Bullshit that I churn up telling you that you can do whatever you put your mind to it and have a dream. But like I said, if you have very good strokes and good strength already with good speed, then hey, maybe you will have a slight chance after all. But why not try to aim for varsity competitions instead.

Because, swimming is one of those sports where it takes years and years of hard work and time, money, effort, tears and blood to be good and achieve at the high level. All swimmers you see who are great today, started their training for many many years before that. And you need to add a little will power and desire, on top of strength and techniques to get there.

Good luck but i think you would do well representing your high school or varsity. Get a coach.

Answer 8

h**l no is never too late...the british girl who won 2 gold medals in swimming started trainning 2 years ago..so no its not too late, im 17 and i also wanna start trainning for badminton...so good luck to you..