In the final days of 2012, we want to look back and reflect on what an amazing year this was for the sport of swimming. Multiple Olympic Trials...the London Olympics and Paralympics...the Istanbul SCM World Championships. Go Swim would like to give a standing ovation to all the swimmers, worldwide, who thrilled us in 2012 with displays of jaw-dropping technique and who inspired us with their skill, athleticism, fitness, determination, and sportsmanship.
There were twelve swimmers (and one coach) whom we followed with special attention and pride in 2012. We’ve been lucky enough to work with these swimmers over the years, capturing them at the height of their form and showing what they do...that every swimmer can strive to do. Here’s a wrap-up of how they swam in London and Istanbul. Prelim swims are designated with a “p,” semi-finals with an “s,” and finals with an “f.” They brought home a total of ten Olympics medals (4 gold, 3 silver, 3 bronze) and four World Championship medals (2 gold, 2 bronze) but, more than that, they honored our sport with their performance. Our favorite coach, Rachel Stratton-Mills, was honored with her first national-team coaching experience in Istanbul.
If you’d like to support these amazing athletes, and look more closely at their technique, pick up a copy of their DVDs or pick up a subscription to www.goswimtv.com, where you can find them all (the professional swimmers).
Congratulations to all, and thanks for inspiring us!
(The athlete’s names are linked to their video collections on the subscription site.)
2012 LONDON OLYMPICS
BRENDAN HANSEN
3-time Olympian for USA
100 Breaststroke 59.93p 59.78s 59.49f BRONZE
4 X 100 Medley Relay 59.19f GOLD
ERIC SHANTEAU
2-time Olympian for USA
100 Breaststroke 59.96p 59.96s (10th)
4 X 100 Medley Relay 59.69p GOLD
CULLEN JONES
2-time Olympian for USA
50 Freestyle 21.95p 21.54s 21.54f SILVER
100 Freestyle 48.61p 48.60s (14th)
4 X 100 Freestyle Relay 47.60f SILVER
4 X 100 Medley Relay 48.12p GOLD
JASON LEZAK
4-time Olympian for USA
4 X 100 Freestyle Relay 48.04p SILVER
KARA LYNN JOYCE
3-time Olympian for USA
50 Freestyle 25.28p 25.15p in 3-way swim-off for 16th (17th)
JESSICA HARDY
1st-time Olympian for USA
50 Freestyle 24.99p 24.68s 24.62f (7th)
100 Freestyle 54.09p 53.86s 54.02f (8th)
4 X 100 Freestyle Relay 53.53f BRONZE
4 X 100 Medley Relay 54.47p GOLD
LIA NEAL
1st-time Olympian for USA
4 X 100 Freestyle Relay 54.15p 53.75f BRONZE
ROLAND SCHOEMAN
4-time Olympian for South Africa
50 Freestyle 21.92p 21.88s 21.80f (6th)
4 X 100 Freestyle Relay 49.00p 48.27f (5th)
DOMINIK MEICHTRY
3-time Olympian for Switzerland
100 Freestyle 49.95p
200 Freestyle 1:47.97p 1:48.25s (15th)
400 Freestyle 3:51.34p
100 Butterfly 53.40p
WU PENG
3-time Olympian for China
200 Butterfly 1:55.88p 1:55.65s (11th)
BARRY MURPHY
1st-time Olympian for Ireland
100 Breaststroke 1:01.57p
50 Freestyle 22.76p
CARLOS ALMEIDA
1st-time Olympian for Portugal
100 Breaststroke 1:01.40p
2012 ISTANBUL SCM WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS
LIA NEAL (USA)
4 X 100 Freestyle Relay 53.70p (lead swimmer) 52.44f (3rd leg) GOLD
4 X 100 Medley Relay 53.38p (freestyle leg) BRONZE
JESSICA HARDY (USA)
50 Breaststroke 29.74p 29.82s 30.01f 5th
100 Breaststroke 1:05.04p 1:05.42s 1:05.08f 5th
100 Freestyle 54.42p 53.41s 53.52f 7th
4 X 100 Freestyle Relay 53.32f (2nd leg) GOLD
4 X 100 Medley Relay 1:04.61f (Breast) BRONZE
WU PENG (China)
50 Butterfly 22.96p 23.05s 22.78f 5th
100 Butterfly 50.49p 50.77s (tied for 8th)
4 X 100 Medley Relay 51.25p (Fly) 50.31f (Fly) 5th
BARRY MURPHY (Ireland)
50 Butterfly 23.52p 23.39s 13th
50 Breaststroke 26.76p 26.82s 10th
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