After missing the 2016 Olympic Team, 6-time Olympic medalist Matt Grevers bounced back in a big way at 2017 World Championships. Missing an Olympic Team is a big blow to anyone, especially a defending champion. It’s usually career ending. Matt Grevers shares how he got back to form and how he’s keeping swimming in balance with life as a father.
MY “2017” GREVERS PREDICTIONS FROM JAN AND JUNE: In January I predicted Grevers would swim 52.4 or faster in the 100m backstroke at the U.S. Nationals. I think that’ll be enough to make the 2017 U.S. Worlds Team. I’m sticking by my prediction.
PREDICTIONS FOR “2018” U.S. NATIONALS & PAN PACS THIS SUMMER: 100m back is a tough call with Grevers, Ryan Murphy and Jacob Pebley in the mix. I think Pebley makes the U.S. Team for 2019 World Champs and 2018 Pan Pacs in the 200 back. He gets edged by Grevers and Murphy in the 100m back. Murphy wins this summer, however. Murphy’s got more to prove after World Championships last year, and I think he’s right on world record pace in August in Toyko–to break his own World Record mark set at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio. I say Grevers swims fast, 52.29. But who cares what I think. What do you think?
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This is a Gold Medal Media production presented by SwimOutlet.com. Host Gold Medal Mel Stewart is a 3-time Olympic medalist and the co-founder of SwimSwam.com, a Swimming News website.
We will leave this tough question up to the expertise of swimswam commenters
I love how he brought up marathon runners in comparison to distance swimmers. Totally different in terms of time, 2 hour race vs 15 min… However, when I watch world cup mountain bike races the whole start line is people over 34. When we look at their power data, they’ve got the highest 20 min power of any cycling discipline. Point being, distance swimmers have the potential to last until mid 30s… But swimming is a lot more boring than mountain biking. Or even the 5k on the track where those guys last until late 20s. But I’d love to see some guys keep going for it like the Phelps, lochte, grevers.
Mountain biking? You have any stats on 35 year old ultimate Frisbee players?
Dan – I don’t know if you know this…but mountain biking has been an Olympic sport since 1996.
Podiums from Rio were:
Men
Gold – 30
Silver – 31
Bronze – 34
Women
Gold – 22
Silver – 32
Bronze – 35
5th place on the women’s side was 38 TONS of competitors in their 30s. Very different age mix than swimming to be sure.
I didn’t know that it was an Olympic sport…but I guess that it falls in line with my snarky comment. I know it’s a difficult sport and requires skill/fitness, just thought it was a very random example to through out. I wonder if the top mountain biking site has a reader commenting about swimming.
I used mountain biking because the longest event in swimming is roughly 15 minutes. Where mountain bikers have the best 20 minute threshold that can be measured accurately.
Seeing that and that they are older athletes there isn’t a reason that distance swimmers can’t continue to peak into their 30s contrary to what most people say on this website.
For my HS aged kids I actually use (modified) Nino Schurters gym routine. YouTube it. You’ll be amazed at how transferable the skills are.
That part at the end was actually pretty insightful. “By level of performance you’re expected to be a leader.” That is kind of true. People inherently look to you for leadership when you’re a high performer.
Are Murphy, Grevers, and Pebley the only 3 USA backstrokers currently swimming that have been 52s? Who are the next 2-3 guys that could challenge? Maybe Ress, who else am I missing?
You are correct; Murphy, Grevers, and Pebley are the only 3 active Americans who have been under 53. There have only been 7 Americans under 53 ever (those 3, Peirsol, Plummer, Randall Bal, and Thoman).
The next closest active American swimmer to that barrier is Vyatchanin (53.06 from 2013), then Ress (53.27 from 2017), and then Lochte (53.37 from 2008). Looks like Michael Taylor is the next young gun (besides Ress) at 53.77.
U are right , Taylor is / may be the next best backstroker for Usa
I’m a grevers fan, but is some of the -now- sudden lack of depth at backstroke due to Grevers dominance over the past 12 years? in taking up roster spots on national teams, other potentially talented swimmers aren’t able to receive the proper funding to continue their career.
Like I said I think Grevers has been the most underrated and arguably most important swimmer (insanely consistent and present for every meet) for the US in the past 16 years. Think of a country like Australia who would have killed for a top performer in their discipline/event who is also a great leader/locker room presence.
Yeah there does seem to be a little bit of a void. Obviously, Murphy will be there for a bit as he takes the torch from Grevers and then Pebley/Ress and still Grevers are there. I hope the young guns, Carson Foster and Destin Lasco (among others) throw down some nice times this summer. They’ll be the future in my opinion.
You know…it’s about time for another breakout 100m backstroker. Ress should be 52 something this summer.
“only” seven. Only.
Look around. I’d say 7 is pretty good!
He’s going down in history as a legendary backstroker, and swimmer. 52.2 in 100 back at age 32, and he couls replicate that this year at age 33.
totally agree with you .
He even went 3 times ( if i am not wrong )from 52 mid to 52 low in Budapest !!! serious consistency at age 32