8 post-race reactions swimmers know and love

Courtesy of Ryan Turner, a swimmer at Columbia and Lancaster Aquatic Club.

One of the most entertaining aspects of this sport happens only for a brief second right after the finish of a race. It’s the look on a swimmer’s face, reacting to what they had just done in the water only moments before. Good or bad, many of these reactions have become iconic images for the sport. Some have even become internet-famous, while others are faces we never wish to see.

Here are 8 post-race reactions:

1. The Smile and Nod

The reaction we all hope to have.

_Ledecky_Katie, 16, Katie Ledecky, Ledecky, Nation's Capital-DO8T7250-

2. The Get Out and Walk Away

I’ll admit it. Back in my younger days, I did this several times. A bad race can be overwhelming but it’s important to remember that one race never defines your entire meet.

3. The Not-So-Subtle Fist Pump

It’s the reaction of a champion. There’s little that compares to the feeling of raising your fist high in victory. Nathan Adrian does it well (image  courtesy of Tim Binning).

Nathan Adrian jammed his finger in warmdown Thursday morning and had to scratch 50 free finals(Photo Credit: Tim Binning, theswimpictures)

The Nathan Adrian fist pump, next to Brent Hayden (Photo Credit: Tim Binning, theswimpictures)

4. The Blank Stare

This is probably the most common one of them all. It’s that look of exhaustion where a swimmer is simply too tired to show any emotion.

Michael Phelps, Tyler Clary & Ryan Lochte (courtesy of Tim Binning, theswimpictures)

Michael Phelps, Tyler Clary & Ryan Lochte (courtesy of Tim Binning, theswimpictures)

5. The 2008 Michael Phelps

You just had the best race of your life and you want to let it out.

2008 Olympic Final, 100 Butterfly: Michael Phelps celebrations winning by .01 (courtesy of USpresswire)

2008 Olympic Final, 100 Butterfly: Michael Phelps celebrations winning by .01 (courtesy of USpresswire)

6. The Hand Over the Mouth

Maybe you went a best time against all odds, or maybe you’re just shocked that you finished the race.

Kara Lynn Joyce and Dara Torres, 50 freestyle, 2012 US Olympic Swimming Trials (Swim Photo Credit: Tim Binning, theswimpictures)

Kara Lynn Joyce and Dara Torres, 50 freestyle, 2012 US Olympic Swimming Trials (Swim Photo Credit: Tim Binning, theswimpictures)

7. The Lane Line Hug

Where would be without lane lines? Races would almost certainly have a different outcome if they didn’t exist. Besides helping us not crash into one another, lane lines also serve as a great thing to lounge on after a race if there isn’t a gutter to hang onto.

Cesar Cielo, Bruno Fratus. 54Âş Trofeu Maria Lenk de Natacao no Parque Aquatico do Ibirapuera. 23 de abril de 2014, Sao Paulo, SP, Brasil. Foto: Satiro Sodre/SSPress

Cesar Cielo, Bruno Fratus. 54Âş Trofeu Maria Lenk de Natacao no Parque Aquatico do Ibirapuera. 23 de abril de 2014, Sao Paulo, SP, Brasil. Foto: Satiro Sodre/SSPress

Cesar Cielo, Bruno Fratus. 54Âş Trofeu Maria Lenk de Natacao no Parque Aquatico do Ibirapuera. 23 de abril de 2014, Sao Paulo, SP, Brasil. Foto: Satiro Sodre/SSPress

Cesar Cielo, Bruno Fratus. 54Âş Trofeu Maria Lenk de Natacao no Parque Aquatico do Ibirapuera. 23 de abril de 2014, Sao Paulo, SP, Brasil. Foto: Satiro Sodre/SSPress

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

8. The Squint

If you have poor eyesight, it can be frustrating when you can’t see your time on the scoreboard, especially if you were hoping to swim a certain time. Don’t be afraid to ask your neighbor! (Yannick Agnel, image courtesy of Mike Lewis)

Yannick Angel by Mike Lewis-2

Can you think of more post race reactions? Share them in the comments!

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Sean
9 years ago

Where’s the love for Roque Santos hand kiss at the 1992 Olympic Trials?

Mohsin
9 years ago

Misty Hyman’s “OMFGWTFHASJUSTHAPPENED” at the Sydney Olympics.

mcmflyguy
9 years ago

I’ve done the fist pump back in the day, I did the squint a lot, some time boards are hard to read. but my last one I don’t know what came over me but I punched the water with excitement when I hit a time I had been working towards my whole life.

Sebastiaan
9 years ago

Did you seriously miss this one?

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0DM1h2NugBQ&w=420&h=315%5D

Adam
9 years ago

Dax Hill 2012 200 free NCAA victory.

C Martin
9 years ago
MassSwimmer
9 years ago

My favorite ‘hand over mouth’ is the Janet Evans reaction when she won the 400 Free and smashed world record (and DDR) at the 1988 Olympics.

Luigi
9 years ago

Best squint ever must be Anthony Ervin’s at 2012 trials when he qualified in the 50 free and Adrian had to tell him he was in