The end of a great era

mad4it · 30-01-2005, 02:46 PM

Superb athlete who has dominated his event since 1992, an inspiration to many - I can remember doing the drill named after him on many an occasion when I was younger!

A great guy who I will certainly miss watching.

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au...5E2722,00.html

Linny · 30-01-2005, 02:54 PM

Good article and a great choice of pictures!

rubber ducky · 30-01-2005, 04:20 PM

Awwww! I'll definitely miss Popov!!

At my previous club we had a quote of his pinned up on the noticeboard. It was something about treating the water as your friend.

Popov certainly was an amazing swimmer to watch.

Top10ranking · 30-01-2005, 06:55 PM

legend, shall be missed

Bazza · 31-01-2005, 12:03 PM

And it seems only a week since he said he wasn't going to retire!

Anyone who didn't grow up admiring Popov was on a different planet.

High performances:
1991: LC European Championships - 1st 100m free (49.18)
1992: Olympic Games - 1st 50m free (21.91), 1st 100m free (49.02)
1993: LC European Championships - 1st 50m free (22.27), 1st 100m free (49.15)
1994: LC World Championships - 1st 50m free (22.17), 1st 100m free (49.21)
1995: LC European Championships - 1st 50m free (22.25), 1st 100m free (49.10)
1996: Olympic Games - 1st 50m free (22.13), 1st 100m free (48.74)
1997: LC European Championships - 1st 50m free (22.30), 1st 100m free (49.09)
1998: LC World Championships - 1st 100m free (48.93), 2nd 50m free (22.43)
1999: LC European Championships - 2nd 100m free (48.82), 3rd 50m free (22.32), SC World Championships - 5th 50m free (22.10)
2000: Olympic Games - 2nd 100m free (48.69), 6th 50m free (22.24), LC European Championships - 1st 50m freestyle (21.95), 1st 100m freestyle (48.61), 1st 4x100m free relay (3:18.75), 1st 4x100m Medley relay (3:39.29)

2002: SC World Championships - 3rd 50m free (21.55), 3rd 4x100m free relay (3:11.24), LC European Championships - 2nd 100m free (48.94), 5th 50m free (22.35), 1st 4x100m medley relay (3:36.21)

2003: LC World Championships - 1st 50m free (21.92), 1st 100m free (48.42), 1st 4x100m medley relay (3:14.06), 2nd 4x100m medley relay (3:34.72)

2004: Olympic Games - 4th 4x100m free relay (3:15.75), 4th 4x100m medley relay (3:35.91); LC European Championships - 1st 50m free (22.32)

I think it's the right time, he's still good but no longer the best. I guess it had to come eventually but it is truly the end of an era.

GettingFaster · 31-01-2005, 03:03 PM

There are lots of 50 free races in there, would it be taken as stirring if I asked where Foz came in those events? It's not meant to be but would make a good comparison with our own long-term short distance freestyler, if nothing else to confirm just how good the bloke has been over the years.

CGorman · 31-01-2005, 04:11 PM

Absolutely the greatest swimmer ever. His commitment, dedication and love of the sport are unparraled - he got stabbed in 96' and within a year he was back training for the 00' olympics! And he won medals at it! He' was just unbelievable.

mad4it · 31-01-2005, 04:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GettingFaster

There are lots of 50 free races in there, would it be taken as stirring if I asked where Foz came in those events?

Probably but here is the comparison:

1992: Olympic Games - 50m Free: 1st - Popov (21.91), 6th - Foster (22.52)
1994: LC World Championships - 50m Free: 1st - Popov (22.17), 6th - Foster (22.76)
1995: LC European Championships - 50m Free: 1st - Popov (22.25), 4th - Foster (22.76)
1996: Olympic Games - 50m Free: 1st - Popov (22.13), 16th - Foster (23.01)
1997: LC European Championships - 50m Free: 1st - Popov (22.30), 2nd - Foster (22.53)
1998: LC World Championships - 50m Free: 2nd - Popov (22.43), 13th - Foster (22.82)
1999: LC European Championships - 50m Free: 3rd - Popov (22.32), 7th - Foster (22.98)
1999: SC World Championships - 50m Free: 1st - Foster (21.81), 5th - Popov (22.10)
2000: Olympic Games - 50m Free: 6th - Popov (22.24), 7th - Foster - (22.41)
2000: LC European Championships - 50m Free: 1st - Popov (21.95), 7th - Foster (22.85)
2002: SC World Championships - 50m Free: 2nd - Foster (21.44), 3rd - Popov (21.55)
2003: LC World Championships - 50m Free: 1st - Popov (21.92), 2nd - Foster (22.20)
2004: LC European Championships - 50m Free: 1st - Popov (22.32), 5th - Foster (22.57)

Isn't it interesting that Foster only ever comes out on top at the SC events!?

GettingFaster · 31-01-2005, 04:31 PM

Thanks Mad4it, that's just what I was after. It shows that even the best can be beaten, and that our best managed it several times. As for SC events, maybe if we had more LC pools, but that's a different debate.

patlamb · 01-02-2005, 07:35 AM

Don't suspect Foster EVER suffered through lack of long course training opportunities.

Tara · 01-02-2005, 08:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GettingFaster

Thanks Mad4it, that's just what I was after. It shows that even the best can be beaten, and that our best managed it several times. As for SC events, maybe if we had more LC pools, but that's a different debate.

I don't think lack of short course pools can be seen as an reason when so many USA swimmers rank in the all time top performances. I'm sure at least a few of them train SC yards.
ALL-TIME TOP 10 PERFORMANCES
21.64 Alexander Popov RUS Moscow 6/16/2000
21.76 Gary Hall Jr. USA Indianapolis 8/15/2000
21.80 Anthony Ervin USA Indianapolis 8/15/2000
21.81 Tom Jager USA Nashville 3/24/1990
21.85 Matt Biondi USA Nashville 3/24/1990
21.91 Hall USA Long Beach 7/13/2004
21.91 Popov RUS Monte Carlo 6/13/2001
21.91sf Hall USA Indianapolis 8/14/2000
21.91 Popov RUS Barcelona 7/30/1992
21.92 Popov RUS Barcelona 7/26/2003
21.92sf Ervin USA Indianpolis 8/14/2000
ALL-TIME TOP 25 PERFORMERS (ONLY FASTEST SWIM PER SWIMMER USED)
21.64 Alexander Popov RUS Moscow 6/16/2000
21.76 Gary Hall Jr. USA Indianapolis 8/15/2000
21.80 Anthony Ervin USA Indianapolis 8/15/2000
21.81 Tom Jager USA Nashville 3/24/1990
21.85 Matt Biondi USA Nashville 3/24/1990
21.94 Duje Draganja CRO Athens 8/20/2004
21.98 Roland Schoeman RSA Moscow 4/1/2004
21.98sf Jason Lezak USA Long Beach 7/13/2004
22.03 P. van den Hoogenband NED Sydney 9/22/2000
22.05p Bart Kizierowski POL Sydney 9/21/2000
22.05p Neil Walker USA Indianapolis 8/14/2000
22.06 Brendan Dedekind RSA Sydney 8/28/1999
22.06 Lorenzo Vismara ITA Zagreb 8/12/1999
22.07sf Brett Hawke AUS Athens 8/19/2004
22.08 Stefan Nystrand SWE Athens 8/20/2004
22.08 Raimundas Majuolis LTU Bordeax 12/1/1994
22.12 Eduardo Lorente ESP Barcelona 3/1/2004
22.13 Mark Foster GBR Sheffield 5/1/2001
22.14 Johan Kenkhuis NED Amsterdam 4/27/2003
22.16sf Salim Iles ALG Athens 8/19/2004
22.16 Javier Noriega ESP Barcelona 3/1/2004
22.18 Peter Williams SAF Indianapolis 4/10/1988
22.18 Fernando Scherer BRA Long Island 8/2/1998
22.18sf Oleksandr Volynets UKR Athens 8/19/2004
22.18 Tomohiro Yamanoi JPN Fukuoka 7/24/2001

I love watching Popov swim, he was my first swimming idol, and just so great technically, always looking relaxed and easy even at world record speeds. I am so glad I got to watch him in person at the World champs in Barcelona. There are so many things that can be learnt or cemented in your brain from watching him race! (apart from his finish in the 50 free in Sydney-nooooooooooo!)
Popov

Bazza · 02-02-2005, 04:16 PM

To be fair most of those guys probably have plenty of LC training as well, but I don't think that is a relevant excuse. I think Foster is just better shortcourse - maybe he has good turns.

I never really saw Popov as an out and out sprinter, always considered him better at the 100. He held both world records for that event for 6 years I think, and as mentioned above went 8 years unbeaten in major champs.

30-01-2005, 02:46 PM	#1
mad4it Success is a dream turned into reality. Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Edinburgh Posts: 797	The end of a great era Superb athlete who has dominated his event since 1992, an inspiration to many - I can remember doing the drill named after him on many an occasion when I was younger! A great guy who I will certainly miss watching. http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au...5E2722,00.html Attached Images __________________ Strive for excellence not perfection.

31-01-2005, 12:03 PM	#5
Bazza Less is more! Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Portsmouth Posts: 2,712	And it seems only a week since he said he wasn't going to retire! Anyone who didn't grow up admiring Popov was on a different planet. High performances: 1991: LC European Championships - 1st 100m free (49.18) 1992: Olympic Games - 1st 50m free (21.91), 1st 100m free (49.02) 1993: LC European Championships - 1st 50m free (22.27), 1st 100m free (49.15) 1994: LC World Championships - 1st 50m free (22.17), 1st 100m free (49.21) 1995: LC European Championships - 1st 50m free (22.25), 1st 100m free (49.10) 1996: Olympic Games - 1st 50m free (22.13), 1st 100m free (48.74) 1997: LC European Championships - 1st 50m free (22.30), 1st 100m free (49.09) 1998: LC World Championships - 1st 100m free (48.93), 2nd 50m free (22.43) 1999: LC European Championships - 2nd 100m free (48.82), 3rd 50m free (22.32), SC World Championships - 5th 50m free (22.10) 2000: Olympic Games - 2nd 100m free (48.69), 6th 50m free (22.24), LC European Championships - 1st 50m freestyle (21.95), 1st 100m freestyle (48.61), 1st 4x100m free relay (3:18.75), 1st 4x100m Medley relay (3:39.29) 2002: SC World Championships - 3rd 50m free (21.55), 3rd 4x100m free relay (3:11.24), LC European Championships - 2nd 100m free (48.94), 5th 50m free (22.35), 1st 4x100m medley relay (3:36.21) 2003: LC World Championships - 1st 50m free (21.92), 1st 100m free (48.42), 1st 4x100m medley relay (3:14.06), 2nd 4x100m medley relay (3:34.72) 2004: Olympic Games - 4th 4x100m free relay (3:15.75), 4th 4x100m medley relay (3:35.91); LC European Championships - 1st 50m free (22.32) I think it's the right time, he's still good but no longer the best. I guess it had to come eventually but it is truly the end of an era. __________________ "Lets see if I can beat the Russians with a rug on my back." "If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer."

31-01-2005, 04:11 PM	#7
CGorman Registered User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Ireland Posts: 178	Absolutely the greatest swimmer ever. His commitment, dedication and love of the sport are unparraled - he got stabbed in 96' and within a year he was back training for the 00' olympics! And he won medals at it! He' was just unbelievable. __________________ www.swim-sites.com -the Swimming Directory; over 3,100 swimming sites & almost 2,000 swimming clubs. www.findamarathon.com - NEW Worldwide Marathon Listings; information about marathons worldwide

01-02-2005, 07:35 AM	#10
patlamb Foolhardy Beginner Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: North Posts: 125	Don't suspect Foster EVER suffered through lack of long course training opportunities. __________________ Lambie says, "train the movement not the muscle."

02-02-2005, 04:16 PM	#12
Bazza Less is more! Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Portsmouth Posts: 2,712	To be fair most of those guys probably have plenty of LC training as well, but I don't think that is a relevant excuse. I think Foster is just better shortcourse - maybe he has good turns. I never really saw Popov as an out and out sprinter, always considered him better at the 100. He held both world records for that event for 6 years I think, and as mentioned above went 8 years unbeaten in major champs. __________________ "Lets see if I can beat the Russians with a rug on my back." "If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer."

30-01-2005, 02:54 PM	#2
Linny Secret Fairy Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Fantasy Fairyland Posts: 5,071	Good article and a great choice of pictures!

30-01-2005, 04:20 PM	#3
rubber ducky Swim like the duck Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 320	Awwww! I'll definitely miss Popov!! At my previous club we had a quote of his pinned up on the noticeboard. It was something about treating the water as your friend. Popov certainly was an amazing swimmer to watch.

30-01-2005, 06:55 PM	#4
Top10ranking FatBoy Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: buckinghamshire Posts: 1,039	legend, shall be missed

31-01-2005, 03:03 PM	#6
GettingFaster Established Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 7,260	There are lots of 50 free races in there, would it be taken as stirring if I asked where Foz came in those events? It's not meant to be but would make a good comparison with our own long-term short distance freestyler, if nothing else to confirm just how good the bloke has been over the years.

31-01-2005, 04:31 PM	#9
GettingFaster Established Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 7,260	Thanks Mad4it, that's just what I was after. It shows that even the best can be beaten, and that our best managed it several times. As for SC events, maybe if we had more LC pools, but that's a different debate.

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