Carson Foster announced his decision to turn professional on Thursday, forgoing his final two seasons of collegiate eligibility with the Texas Longhorns in order to fully pursue performing on the international stage.
Foster sat down with SwimSwam’s Coleman Hodges to discuss the decision, stating that he came to the conclusion that he wanted to make sure there were “no stones unturned” for next year as he prepares for the 2024 U.S. Olympic Trials and ultimately the Olympic Games in Paris.
Foster said that he’s never truly had a full season to focus on long course, and wanted to have that in the lead-up to Paris.
“That part was kind of what led me to make this decision,” he said. “Wanting that all-in mentality for long course and for the summer season.”
Foster also spoke about how difficult it was to tell his coaches and teammates of the move, why he opted to turn pro instead of taking an Olympic redshirt year, and reflected on the 2023 NCAA Championships.
He also touched on his potential event lineup at U.S. Nationals in late June, teasing a potential swim in the 200 fly.
Watch the full interview below:
Best decision.
Rooting for you to win individual gold at worlds and Olympics!
Go Carson!
He seems like a really great dude. I also went back and watched the 2back from NCs, and you can tell that he’s crying a bit when they introduce him in lane 6 prior to the race.
a shame hes forgoing 2 possible seasons with mckendree university
If he only needs one semester of credits, this makes sense. In theory, he could do 1 mickey mouse class 2nd a semester but why…
he’s way closer to Marchand in Long Course than people want to admit…
Still Leon’s races to lose but the underwaters are where Leon really pulls away (and the breast leg) so fewer turns levels the pool for Carson. He’s picking up half a body or more per trim from what my makes eye tells me. His start is not as dynamic as dressers, but his underwaters off turn might be the best ever
Carson would smoke Leon in all 200s of strokes (other than breast obviously), can hang with him in both IMs, and has much higher potential in LC since he’s never solely devoted his efforts to it
Leon’s best time in the 200 fly in LCM is faster than Carson’s best time in the 200 fly in LCM (by three tenths).
he’d smoke Leon, smoke ’em, you hear me!!! /s
Leon’s fly was fully tapered at worlds chasing Milak
Carson’s 2 fly is from an Austin sectionals meet
Huge difference and I’m sure Carson can easily find a few tenths at a fully tapered meet
Nope you sold out on “would smoke him” you don’t get to now go back and say “drop a few tenths and barely out-touch him.”
Plus Carson once went the best time in the world in the 400 IM in an Olympic year at an Austin Sectionals meet so don’t discount Austin Sectionals.
And Schooling went 50.8 in practice too….
Doesn’t that make it even worse that he’s still 2 seconds slower than him over the 400 IM?
Less than 2 seconds and he has way more room for improvement compared to Marchand.
Carson’s breaststroke leg has more room for improvement than any Marchand leg
I think that Carson has a lot of room to grow in LCM, but Marchand’s improvement curve is certainly greater. Dude beat Carson’s 200 IM PB at an in season tyr meet a couple weeks ago
Goodbye NIL deal, hello Mizuno contract!
What’s the difference lol
He can have performance incentives in his contract now. Raises the ceiling of what he could earn. NIL deals have to be flat amounts.
Really telling how shitty Texas’ NIL program is if they can’t afford to keep one of the best athletes on campus PERIOD.
He’s staying on campus.
After Tory Bowie’s passing, it is increasingly clear that all US Olympic athletes will do far better taking care of their finances than racing for free.
US olympic sports Institutions will not care for them once they stop medalling.
Good for Carson Foster.
Best of luck!
Athletes are pawns in the IOC/NBC/USOPC game of $$$$$$$$$$$’s.
What does Bowie’s passing have to do with this? As far as I know her cause of death isn’t known yet.
Can you elaborate more? She died because she had very little money?
Start your education on the subject here, an explore further by yourself, learn How US olympic sports Institutions treat their athletes. This was 2 years after she medalled gold in the 2017 world championships. She also won two Olympic medals in Rio 2016.
https://www.flotrack.org/articles/6307275-tori-bowie-in-limbo-after-dispute-at-olympic-training-center
This explains how she had to pay $6K. What I’m asking is how did this become a direct link to her premature death.