SSPC: What Made Olympic Champ Tracy Caulkins So Dominant in So Many Events?

In the SwimSwam Podcast dive deeper into the sport you love with insider conversations about swimming. Hosted by Coleman Hodges and Gold Medal Mel Stewart, SwimSwam welcomes both the biggest names in swimming that you already know, and rising stars that you need to get to know, as we break down the past, present, and future of aquatic sports.

Olympic swimming icon Tracy Caulkins (married name Tracy Stockwell) won 48 U.S. National titles and broke 63 American Records–setting American Records in all four strokes. She was on-course to medal in seven events at the 1980 Olympic Games–which were boycotted by President Carter. Of course Tracy finally achieved her Olympic moment four years later at the Los Angeles Olympic Games, taking home three gold medals.

Growing up Tracy was known – and this was taken as gospel – as the greatest female swimmer in history. This was the oxygen I breathed as a young age grouper.  I’m rarely nervous to talk with any Olympic peer, but Tracy did set my nerves on edge.  The only other time I’ve been star-struck was when I met JFK Jr.. Yes, Tracy is on that level.

If you are young and don’t know your swimming history, dive into the full SwimSwam podcast here. Tracy’s funny, with a matter of fact wisdom that hits home and stays with you.

Music: Otis McDonald
www.otismacmusic.com

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Opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the interviewed guests do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs, and viewpoints of the hosts, SwimSwam Partners, LLC and/or SwimSwam advertising partners.

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BaldingEagle
3 years ago

On the last night of Trials in 2016, I found myself sitting right next to Tracy Caulkins Stockwell. It was overwhelming. She is such a legendary champion and icon of swimming. I know the swimming community can totally understand the emotions I felt at that moment.

Explaining it to swimming outsiders, I’d say that finding oneself sitting next to Tracy would be like a longtime baseball fan meeting a living legend like Cal Ripken, Hank Aaron, or Sandy Koufax; a basketball fan meeting Kareem, Jordan, Cheryl Swoopes, or Bird; a football fan meeting Pele, Mia Hamm, Megan Rapinoe, or Zidane; or meeting Serena, Stefi, Venus, Rafa, or Martina….

Harkins
Reply to  BaldingEagle
3 years ago

Really really bad analogies.Those you mention didn’t sulk or lose passion for their sports as Caulkins admittedly did, and didn’t quit sport at age 21 in an immature huff. She wasn’t exactly the Iron Man Cal Ripken or Serena battling for one last major title into her late 30s.

1001pools
Reply to  Harkins
3 years ago

Were you around swimming in the late 70’s and even into the 80s? It was VERY RARE for any swimmer, male or female, to stick around the sport much beyond 22.

Tracy was and remains in the realm of Phelps and very few others in terms of swimming accomplishments.

Swim Time
Reply to  1001pools
3 years ago

Really? Realm of Phelps? Don’t insult Phelps. She won a few gold medals in exactly one Olympic Games and one World Championship meet, then retired at age 21.

Texas Tap Water
3 years ago

What’s With all the downvotes??

Can someone please explain?

Sheriff
Reply to  Texas Tap Water
3 years ago

It may be that, in the middle of a pandemic, people don’t want to hear from a boastful Karen complaining in a grating Southern-Australian accent about Olympic gold medals she claims she was entitled to forty years ago and probably would not have won anyway.

Rev
Reply to  Sheriff
3 years ago

She would have won no doubt about it.

Owlmundo
3 years ago

Why is every comment getting overwhelming negatives? Am i missing something?

Coach Mike 1952
Reply to  Owlmundo
3 years ago

The only things we are missing is the “person” behind this travesty & his/her motivation. Tracy is a first-class person, super Champion, so the downvoter has some kind of agenda that is outside our awareness, for now at least. Likely I will get downvoted on this one too. LOL

Last edited 3 years ago by Coach Mike 1952
Pembroke
Reply to  Owlmundo
3 years ago

Caulkins-Stockwell not well-regarded in Australian swimming circles.Viewed as self-promoter.

Aquajosh
Reply to  Pembroke
3 years ago

It’s probably just a cultural difference in how pride and confidence are perceived. Tall Poppy Syndrome is a very real, very bizarre phenomenon unique to Australia. No one I’ve ever met in swimming circles has ever had a bad thing to say about her.

torchbearer
Reply to  Aquajosh
3 years ago

Tall Poppy syndrome is actually common in many cultures…it is especially encouraged in repressive regimes to discourage alternate power bases. Australians like to think they invented mateship as well (I am Australian BTW!).

Last edited 3 years ago by torchbearer
Tigerswim22
3 years ago

Tracy Caulkins and Joan Pennington were, as I recall, the first two women to ever swim sub 2:00 in the 200 IM — two great athletes, both Nashville Aquatic Club icons. Tracy had flawless technique and it was inspiring to watch her compete. As a fan, I was bummed that she didn’t get to compete in the 1980 Olympic Games. She was at the pinnacle of her career at about that time. Thank goodness she had that opportunity in Los Angeles. Thanks for sharing this podcast with SwimSwam’s readers!

ITSYABOI
3 years ago

Did the upvote and downvote buttons switch or somethin??

Ghost
3 years ago

It looks like someone doesn’t like any comments about this interview! Surprising when all comments were positive!

Brisbane Swammer
Reply to  Ghost
3 years ago

Did you actually watch the interview? The humble-bragging about things like awards she won (same as a Kardashian!) and the record she broke after seeing Rowdy Gaines naked were kinda off-putting. As was the continued complaining about 1980. At this point, I think US and AUS swimmers are on to what Caulkins-Stockwell is about.

Corn Pop
Reply to  Brisbane Swammer
3 years ago

Sheesh.

Jack's mom
3 years ago

Very entertaining. I swam in the Midwest same time as Tracy and remember a few meets with her and Sippy Woodhead. Such a cool interview. Thanks!

Aquajosh
3 years ago

The American record in the 400y IM when she came on the scene was 4:20.64. In 1977, she took it down to 4:16.76, then 4:11.38 in 1978, then 4:08.09 in 1979, then 4:04.63 in 1981 where it would stay until Summer Sanders came around in 1992. She so thoroughly dominated that in just three years, she dropped the American record by SEVENTEEN SECONDS in a 400. And that’s just one event. At one point, she held nearly every women’s yards record including the 500 free which would stand ten years until Janet Evans came along. She did this in the 70s and 80s which, if not for the East Germans, would have been (and still in many ways was) a… Read more »

About Gold Medal Mel Stewart

Gold Medal Mel Stewart

MEL STEWART Jr., aka Gold Medal Mel, won three Olympic medals at the 1992 Olympic Games. Mel's best event was the 200 butterfly. He is a former World, American, and NCAA Record holder in the 200 butterfly. As a writer/producer and sports columnist, Mel has contributed to Yahoo Sports, Universal Sports, …

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