Consistently for the past 2+ decades, we’ve seen some of the fastest non-championship meet swims of the year come during the Mare Nostrum Tour, which covers 3 cities for 2 days each over the course of 9 days.
The tour routinely attracts a slew of Olympians, world champions, and world record holders to the Mediterannean towns of Monaco, Barcelona, and Canet-en-Roussillon. There, participants are greeted with sunshine, pools surrounded by coastal culture, and the toughest competition in the world.
With Coleman Hodges covering this year’s stop in Barcelona, SwimSwam got a first-hand look at what makes Mare Nostrum 2 of the best weeks in swimming. We sat down with multiple athletes at the circuit who explain why this is such a big draw for the world’s best in the pool.
Who wouldn’t want to go to Spain, Monaco, and the south of France??
Picture reminds me like it’s the Baywatch of swim meets. I bet swimmers have the most fun swimming there
Mare Nostrum used to be very elite with current Olympics and world champions and world record holders competing.
Now, not so much.
By my count, there were several olympic champions, world champions, and world record holders competing this year.
There was a lot of star power. Just missing a few of the big taper swimmers like Dressel. This tour would disrupt hos process. This is why MA might beat Dressel on some random day but can’t beat him when it counts.
MA has beaten CD at US Nationals and Pan Pacific. CD can’t beat MA in the breast, back, or IM. In fact CD can’t qualify for WC or Olympics in the 100 breaststroke, 200 IM, 50 back, 50 breast.
I was talking about the splash and dash. Should have specified that. The only event that really matters.
Coleman, are we gonna have a Swimswam Breakdown this week ?
Yes 🙂 Holiday weekend pushed everything forward a bit, will be up tonight/tomorrow