George Bovell Qualifies For His Fifth Olympic Games

Trinidad & Tobago’s George Bovell recently earned an automatic qualifying time for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, and is nowย 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.

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 forย the 3rd-most all-time Olympic appearances (behind only Turkey’sย Derya Bรผyรผkuncu 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.

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Gerry
9 years ago

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!

I think you can bring home the gold! Congratulatio
Reply to  Gerry
8 years ago

George I think you can bring home the gold to Trinidad and Tobago ! Congratulations think you’re the best!

bobo gigi
9 years ago

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. ๐Ÿ˜† ๐Ÿ˜† The competition is a little bit harder. ๐Ÿ˜† ๐Ÿ˜†
If MP does that next year, it’s huge.

9 years ago

I bet Frรถlander makes it 7 next year.

petriasfan
9 years ago

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.

Jimmy
9 years ago

You forgot Roland Schoeman. He’d be the first South African to ever qualify for 5 Olympics

bobo gigi
9 years ago

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.

ERVINFORTHEWIN
9 years ago

Well done George !!! incredible longevity

Joel Lin
9 years ago

Add Ous Mellouli to the 5th timers assuming he qualifies.

About Tony Carroll

Tony Carroll

The writer formerly known as "Troy Gennaro", better known as Tony Carroll, has been working with SwimSwam since April of 2013. Tony grew up in northern Indiana and started swimming in 2003 when his dad forced him to join the local swim team. Reluctantly, he joined on the condition that โ€ฆ

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