ESPN Top 25? NOT!

[jim clemmons]

I caught the last few moments of an ESPN show that listed the Top 25 record performances of the last number of years (which I missed the number of years referred to), however, I would think the period included 1972.

I was dismayed that Mark Spitz's 7 Gold medal performance wasn't included.

Not one swimming performance was included in the top 25 whatsoever.

Anyone else see this?

Shissh.:mad:

[swimshark]

The list is the Top 25 of the last 25 years, so 1979-2004. I would guess that if it went as far back as Mark Spitz, it would have included him.

[jim clemmons]

Okay then, that's what I get for tuning in late.

Thanks for the clarification.

Jim

[swimshark]

I agree wtih you that a swimmer should have been on there, though. We've won more medals in swimming in the Olympics but all they thought about was basketball, football and baseball.

[Howard]

They are simply appealing to their audience. Basketball, baseball, and football viewers are what made ESPN so of course they'll weigh it heavily in that direction.

[swimr4life]

I watched this show too and I was disgusted when they didn't have any swimmers profiled! Why do they glorify the big three so much? (football, basketball and baseball) I'm so tired of it! I'm going to email them and let them know how disappointed I am. Let me encourage EVERY masters swimmer to do the same! The only way we can bring attention to our sport is by pointing out how important it is to so many of us!

Go to espn.com. At the bottom of the page in the white area it says "contact us". Click on this and send them an email! Things won't change if we don't stand up for our sport.

[aquageek]

Before we get half crazy about swimming achievements I'd be interested to know what swimming accomplishment in the past 25 years outranks the current list ESPN put together.

I have followed swimming the past 25 years and can't honestly say any single event is more significant than the list ESPN put together.

[knelson]

Originally posted by swimr4life
Why do they glorify the big three so much? (football, basketball and baseball) I'm so tired of it! I'm going to email them and let them know how disappointed I am. Let me encourage EVERY masters swimmer to do the same! The only way we can bring attention to our sport is by pointing out how important it is to so many of us.

I'm sure badminton is very important to the people who play it, but do you think a badminton accomplishment deserves to be in the list, too? I mean, I understand your point, but swimming just isn't important to the U.S. population, especially the sports fan population, and that's who ESPN is catering to.

To answer aquageek's question, a couple swimming accomplishments that come to mind are Janet Evans' record swims in Seoul and Mary T. Meagher's butterfly records at Nationals in Brown Deer in 1981.

[aquageek]

Yes, but what would you then leave off the list?

If anyone is interested, great article on Phelps in the NYT yesterday. Good reading, interesting stuff.

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/08/08/magazine/08OLYMPIC.html

[tjburk]

How about Michael Phelps last year....5 (FIVE) World Records, 6 Medals (4 Gold) in 1 (ONE) meet? Kind of impressed me a little!:D

[jim clemmons]

but all they thought about was basketball, football and baseball.

Actually, that's not accurate. Ice Hockey should be included in the above but....

There was also reference to Lance Armstrong and his endeavors (number three or four) and the number one accomplishment was Tiger Woods' Grand Slam title.

[jim clemmons]

BTW,

Tiger Woods' Grand Slam is "Golf" jic you didn't know.

Jim

(too much recovery on the couch from Saturday/Sunday am workouts)

[Guvnah]

Tiger Woods sucks. He can't even swim. That's why he is careful to avoid the water hazards when he golfs. :) :D