Is it possible for a swimmer to start training late such as the age of 13 and still make it to the olympics?

Question

Is it possible for a swimmer to start training late such as the age of 13 and still make it to the olympics?

Answer 1

if you train really hard probley 5 times a week and then do one day of dry land.. I hope you really do make it!! I remeber wanting to be in the olympics.. untill I realized I was too slow and got too frightend at meets :)

Answer 2

omg we have the same question lol loads of ppl on mine have sed its neva to late or betta late than never.

Answer 3

do you know how hard it is to make the olympics?!

you have to be top 2 in the country!

is no easy feat.

i trained 9 times a week and i wasnt even close

Answer 4

Nope it's too late for you!

Answer 5

XOSwimmer,

You'll be a bit behind the others if you're starting at age 13 but it's definitely not too late.

I started at age 11 and got spanked by the competition early on...but it was a lot of fun "climbing the ladder" as I caught up to the competition one by one over the years until I set my first National Record my junior year in High School.

Many swimmers are now continuing there careers well into their 20's and Jason Lezek (anchor on the US 4x100 free relay last night) is 32 years old. I know a friend that almost qualified for the Olympic Trials this past year at the age of 44. (Look at Dara Torres)

However, this is unusual so I'd suggest starting now because the longer you wait the lower the probability of making the Olympics.  

But no matter what your age when you start you the commitment level is extremely high to be successful enough to make it to the Olympics.

Answer 6

If you have the talent and the drive, no.

Answer 7

You get to the Olympics if you are good enough to compete with the rest. If you start training like crazy (have you seen Michael Phelps' schedule and diet? O M G)

If you are prepared to make all the sacrifices necessary to make your dream come true, anything is possible. Don't give up and you'll be there. Just don't expect it to be in 2012, it takes a lot of time to get in shape, then it takes time to qualify, and then you're there, if you qualify.

Answer 8

Doubtful.  I know...you have dreams of being on that podium claiming your gold...being the best.  It happens to all of us when the Olympics roll around.  But unless you are naturally exceptional don't count on it.

Sorry to burst your bubble.

Answer 9

I just heard that Michael Phelps didn't start till he was 11 yrs old.

He was a good swimmer up to that point, but a coach started him training to help his with extra energy and focus that he needed in his life

Anything is possible if you work hard at it.  I think it takes a lot of hard work and training to go to the Olympics

Answer 10

well only a small percentage of anyone makes the olympics but yeah.  Larsen Jensen didn't start swimming year round till he was either 14 or 16 I forgot