Every four years, a light shines on swimmers across the globe who are ready to dive into a new world of competition and fame. Those of us tuning in for the show sometimes miss the hard work from those who have spent the previous decade or more soaking up chlorine in preparation. Some only watch to see how fast Michael Phelps will be able to go this year, or how many gold medals USA will stack up, but there is much more behind the blocks to love.
1. The swimmer family.
Being a part of any sport creates amazing friendships, but there's something special about the people you spend hours in a pool training with. You suffer together. You laugh together. You cry together. You cheer together. Best yet, you grow together. Whether you spend your entire swimming career training side by side or just a couple years in college, the friends you make in swimming will last a lifetime, and are always considered family.
2. The escape.
Diving into the freezing depths of a swimming pool brings you more than just hypothermic shock (at least that's what it feels like). It takes you into a different world. The sensation of water rushing by your skin creates a new atmosphere that makes anything seem possible. You're able to drift and feel completely still with no diversion. Feeling one with the water can be a way to connect more than just physically but even spiritually.
3. The food.
Even though I don't mean biting into this kind of gold, I'm sure pasta has the same kind of feeling. To give you an idea about how much food swimmers consume, Ryan Lochte takes in 6,000 to 8,000 calories each day. There's nothing like pushing your body to the ends of the earth and then being able to stuff your mouth with your favorite foods right after. Not only does working hard in swimming give you the rewards you desire at the end of a race, but it gives you the pleasure of consuming every food your crazy appetite desires.
4. The swimmer body.
Please look again...OK, one more time. You're welcome.
5. The legend himself.
Michael Phelps is living proof that no matter how great you are, every person is just a person. We all have our battles, and it's hard to realize that some will be harder than others, but there is not one battle you can't overcome. He has shown us that anything is possible if you put your heart and soul into it. With a little passion, dedication and faith, you too can make your dreams a reality. His story will continue to touch the hearts of athletes all over the world and be the reason so many of us have perseverance.
