Trinidad & Tobago’s George Bovell recently earned an automatic qualifying time for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, and is now qualified to join the exclusive club of swimmers that have competed in 5 different Olympic Games.
While competing at the 2015 French Open, Bovell posted a time of 22.26 in the 50 freestyle. He later tweeted that he felt like he was coming back to life, and that his easy speed is returning.
Yes it's official-Qualified to represent T&T at a 5th Olympiad with an automatic qualification time standard this past weekend @PremiumOasis
— George Bovell (@GeorgeBovell) July 9, 2015
Only a handful of swimmers have ever qualified to swim at 5 different Olympic Games over the course of their career. If Bovell competes in Rio, he will be tied for the 3rd-most all-time Olympic appearances (behind only Turkey’s Derya Büyükuncu and Sweden’s Lars Frolander, who have each been to 6).
There are a few other swimmers who are in a similar position as Bovell heading into Rio. Michael Phelps and Kirsty Coventry of Zimbabwe are also on the verge of competing in five different Olympic Games. The only other American swimmer that has made 5 trips to the games is Dara Torres.
George Bovell, we are a group of Canadians sending Congrats to this and your many achievements. You should be proud of yourself!! You will do T&T proud as always!
George I think you can bring home the gold to Trinidad and Tobago ! Congratulations think you’re the best!
Great longevity for Coventry or Bovell.
But hard to compare swimmers from Zimbabwe or Trinidad & Tobago to swimmers from USA.
It’s a little harder to make the US olympic team than any other olympic team in the world. 😆 😆 The competition is a little bit harder. 😆 😆
If MP does that next year, it’s huge.
I bet Frölander makes it 7 next year.
Don’t forget about Alshammar. She has already been to 5 Olympic Games (1996-2012). I’m sure she’ll make it 6 next year.
You forgot Roland Schoeman. He’d be the first South African to ever qualify for 5 Olympics
We know him especially as a sprinter for a long time now. 3rd place at last world championships in 2013.
But don’t forget he was bronze medalist in Athens in the 200 IM behind MP and Lochte! And has even held the world record of that event in short course in 2004/2005!
Very successful conversion into a world-class sprinter since then.
Well done George !!! incredible longevity
Add Ous Mellouli to the 5th timers assuming he qualifies.