When I was about ten years old, my parents joined a private swim club and encouraged me and my siblings to participate in competitive swimming or diving. For this, I have been eternally grateful.
Joining the swim team, which turned out to be a year-round activity at some level, I continued my commitment to the sport through high school. An excellent choice for both aerobic and muscular conditioning, it also, like most sports, stimulated a competitive drive that has served me well over the years. Yet, unlike many sports, the risk of injury was minimal; the benefits far exceeded any negative effects..
Physical activity in childhood helps to prevent obesity and sets the stage for an attention to fitness throughout our lives; physical conditioning may prevent certain diseases but also improves our prognosis when illness does occur. I thank my parents for their encouragement and I strongly recommend that others introduce their children or grandchildren to competitive swimming. Whether they become Olympians or not, it will be a gift that endures.
