Maybe Don Schollander Could Have Been Michael Phelps (But Probably Not)

Why are so many swimmers breaking so many world records? This video explores some of the explanations:

To me the most interesting idea put forth is that swimmers are devoting their lives to the sport because they can make a lucrative career out of it. The Olympics have come a long way since the days when they allegedly extolled the virtues of amateurism.

And that leads us to Don Schollander.


It's pointed out in the video that Schollander, an American swimmer, had already won five golds and a silver when he retired in 1968 at age 22 to go make a living. If the circumstances had been different, could Schollander have continued to swim through his 20s, maybe into his 30s, and won double-digit gold medals?

Maybe, but probably not. For one thing, if professional athletes in the Olympics had been the norm in the 1960s, Schollander would probably not have won four gold medals in the 1964 Games. And for another, Schollander hit his athletic peak at a very young age -- he was much better in the 1964 Olympics than he was in 1968. I don't think Schollander could have been Phelps.

But I do think we should remember when we try to compare the Olympians today with the Olympians of decades past, we should remember that they were participating in very different Games.