Michael Andrew Discusses LA 2028 Plans, Return to Father as Coach, State of USA Swimming

In an interview on the Night Swim with Dax & Elvis YouTube channel, Tokyo Olympian and Olympic Gold medalist Michael Andrew dives into his goals looking ahead to the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028, deep dives into his decision to leave the training group at Arizona State and rejoin his former coach, father Peter Andrew, his thoughts on the Enhanced Games, his thoughts on the state of USA Swimming, and much more.

The full podcast can be watched here:

Andrew opens with his focus going forward with the addition of 50s stroke to the Olympic schedule, pointing out that his focus will lie mainly in the breaststroke, both 50 and 100, the latter of which he still holds the American Record of 58.14, while continuing to work sprint fly and free, with backstroke taking a “back shelf” to the other.

Going into LA, obviously the 50s coming back is a pretty unique opportunity. But World Aquatics and the selection procedure becomes a little more shady, just in trying to understand how to qualify and where to focus,” Andrew said. “The focus will be all four 50s, the 50 back not so much, and the 100 breast.”

He adds that he is not counting out the 100 fly, noting that he could’ve made the Olympic team in that race in 2024, but it will come down to how he manages training for that along with all the other sprint races.

When asked if he had ever thought about dialing in one stroke or one event, he replies, saying that “having just one stroke sounds boring, no shade to those who swim one stroke or one event.”

Andrew joked when the 200 IM, as a possible event, was thrown out there, comedically responding with “never heard of her.”

“I so wish I had the desire to go back to that 200 IM… my Tokyo run scarred me… I will forever be known as the fastest 150 IMer in the world. I own it.” Andrew said. “I look back at and laugh at it now.”

The conversation shifts to Andrew’s training over the last few years, including the decision to leave his father’s training in the first place.

“At the end of the day… after missing the Paris team, I’ve never been more emotionally distraught,” Andrew said. “the couple weeks after that…I decided to move to Orange County, and I was trying to train myself… and I was like ‘this is the dumbest thing I could’ve done’… it was at that point, I needed someone to train with and I needed a coach to push me.”

He admits that he didn’t want to leave his father, but cited that the two needed a “season of separation” to get back to the way the two worked going into the Tokyo Olympics.

He ultimately landed on training at Arizona State with Herbie Behm, a relationship that the Andrew family had throughout many years prior. Andrew had nothing but nice things to say; citing that his year there was great, nut expected more pace and more specificity in the training.

“I think what ASU is doing is amazing, their guys are popping off. Ilya (Kharun) is swimming incredible, Patrick (Sammon) is swimming amazing, it’s been fun seeing Jonny (Kulow) pop off.” Andrew said. “I learned so much about what I desired… and the reason I decided to come back to training with my dad is the very small portion of it is because of the training… but it’s an environment thing. I was surfing, I was out in the sun… I learned I hated living in the dessert.”

Andrew also brought up the new College Swimming League, while he feels it will be exciting, he wished it was geared more towards professional athletes, as Andrew was a key piece to the former International Swimming League team, the New York Breakers.

“I wish it was more pro athlete focused versus NCAA because the NCAA already has a dual meet format. I think there are more pro athletes that are going to hang on longer now with the 50s being viable options to build a career off of.”

The topic of money began to swirl around the conversation, leading into Andrew to give his thoughts on the Enhanced Games.

“I’m very much not pro-Enhanced Games, but people are going to watch. Everyone’s curious, everyone’s excited, I think it’s super dangerous and it’s scary what an athlete would do to their body for money.” Andrew said.

Rather than go the route of the Enhanced Games following 2028, Andrew hopes to “buy a farm in Hawaii, with chickens and fruit trees and surf”

“I have a reputation in the sporting world, and I also believe in legacy… I do think the Olympic movement used to be better…  there is so much money that is generated off the backs of these athletes, and it goes to these massive entities.” Andrew said about not joining the Enhanced Games. “There’s a movement for the Olympics to become that. But we’re obviously sold on this Olympic dream… but that doesn’t mean you are being provided for.”

Andrew later talks about his relationship with USA Swimming CEO Kevin Ring and his thoughts on the current state of USA Swimming, even going as far as calling him a “legend”.

“He’s a legend, I really like Kevin [Ring].” Andrew said. He mentions that he has had multiple talks with Ring, including at the Golden Goggles, at different World Cup stops, and at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs.

“I think what’s been cool is that’s more conversations than i’ve had with out past [CEOs]” Andrew said. “I feel like [Kevin Ring] comes into it with a very fresh set of eyes, and I kind of keep going back and forth wondering if USA Swimming needs someone that knows swimming or if USA Swimming needs someone that knows money.”

On the topic of money, Andrew feels that “swimmers getting paid is great.” He also mentions that while many swimmers have asked for more of a financial compensation, he finds that working for his money, by way of uploading content fills that gap.

“I think part of the issue and why we’re not getting paid more is because a lot of the athletes on the national team do not have that same thought. They’re like, ‘well I’ve made the team, pay me more.’ I’m like, No… go post some content, make a reel, take some photos, actually work for your Brand work for your team, have some fresh ideas, start a podcast if you want.”

Andrew has his own YouTube channel that he has been posting content on since 2016, and has amassed nearly 62,000 subscribers, and has totaled more than 6.5 million views.

“I think athletes just need to know their value and what they’re getting paid is directly tied to how much effort they put in.