2016 RIO OLYMPIC GAMES
- Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Swimming: August 6-13
- Olympic Aquatics Stadium, Barra Olympic Park, Rio de Janeiro
- Prelims – 9:00 a.m/12:00 p.m PST/EST (1:00 p.m local), Finals – 6:00 p.m/9:00 p.m PST/EST (10:00 p.m local)
- SwimSwam previews
- Day 7 Schedule & Results
- Live Stream (NBC)
Last night in Rio, American Anthony Ervin became the oldest Olympic swimmer to earn an individual gold medal. His long journey culminated in a victory in the men’s 50m freestyle, 16 years after his first gold in the same event at the 2000 Olympic Games.
Ervin, who is 35 years and 78 days old, took the title over from Michael Phelps, who had earned gold in the 200m butterfly earlier this Olympics at the age of 31 years and 42 days.
But, that’s not the only link between Ervin and Phelps. Just like the most decorated Olympian in history, Ervin has recently become a new dad.
In a post-race interview, Ervin confirmed that he became a father during the U.S. trials, which took place in late June. He has yet to meet his daughter, however, as he went from Trials to training camp to Rio.
“It’s like a thunderbolt,” Ervin said of his becoming a new dad. “I had a daughter born while I was at the trials. And while I had planned on being there for the birth, I couldn’t because I was still at the meet. Then I got swirled up in the Olympics, so I haven’t had a chance to meet her yet.”
Anthony Ervin won a gold medal: https://t.co/zVdS5A32Tu Here's what he said to his newborn daughter he hasn't met. pic.twitter.com/lAH2YpBV8E
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) August 13, 2016
Dad Strength
Ervin is a stud
Let’s hope they named her something less embarrassing than Boomer.
I don’t know. Ervin isn’t your everyday guy. They might not pick a run of the mill name.
The trials ended on July 3rd. The Olympics started The first week of August. “Swirled up in the Olympics”… So he couldn’t meet his newborn daughter (and her mom?) for even a day?
not your concern OODS .
You guys are so quick to judge… One of the reasons that the Yanks do so well at the Olympics is that they have their trials so late and go straight into camp. No one gets it all…you’re all pretty happy to take the gold medal. If he had interrupted training and not won you’d all be pissed about that. And to whomever made tbd comment about being married…. Go back to your science classes… You don’t need to be married to have a baby.
great comeback! but want him to embrace fatherhood with the same intensity.
I wouldn’t doubt it for a second.
Swimswam, you’re thumbs up and thumbs down seem to be linked.
Personally, I wish they would get rid of the thumbs.
U got a thumbs up for this LOL
LOL LOL So did you! LOL LOL
Phelps beats him soundly in starting out as a good father. ” I got swirled up in Olympics and haven’t had a chance to meet her”. Well it’s been a long time since the Trials, so less impressed with Ervin now.
Yeah, I’m amazed he couldn’t find a day or two to meet his newborn child.
I am too. There was time in there, as Phelps showed. Sometimes you decide which things are more important to you.
Boomer was born before trials. After trials, the US team are obligated to be with the team. This time around the families of those with young kids were allowed to visit during training camp. MP didn’t go visit him, he came to him because he was old enough to travel. Tony’s kid too young to travel then, and he couldn’t leave camp. Stop judging and saying you know what his priorities are.
After Trials, Phelps went home with his family. So did many other swimmers. A week or so later they went to San Antonio and Atlanta for swim camp with the team.
Not sure what your “obligated to be with the team” is meaning. Certainly it does not mean that they are required to immediately go from Trials starting Day #1 to to to San Antonio/Atlanta without going home first to be with their family. Because no one did that. They first went home for a week or two before later all getting together for swim camp.
Based on my extensive experience dating emotionally unavailable dudes in their 30’s, I think you are making some pretty big assumptions about his relationship with the mother. I know a lot of women who have made that choice, they wanted to have a baby and the guy had a small role in that. If niether party have any expectation for him to have an active role in her life he should focus on his swimming.
Judge not, we don’t know the situation. Maybe he couldn’t afford a private jet for a visit, and newborns don’t travel.
Tony is going to an awesome dad! Similar to a person in the military he had some big obligations and timing issues come into play here.
He also did not want the media attention / circus like you saw with Boomer Phelps for family going into and during the meet.
Let’s lay off the guy a bit.
Wow. Team USA has been exceptional this Olympics. Can’t help but think the life experience and wisdom of our team captains played a huge role. So glad to have old dudes lead the way. <3
dudes and dudettes!