Q&A with American former Olympic swimmer Aaron Peirsol

Five-time Olympic swimming champion Aaron Peirsol chats to us about life after swimming, his desire to develop talent and SA’s swimmers.

What are you up to in SA? 
Actually, a multitude of things – now that I am done with the competitive side of swimming, I have an opportunity to see the youth and promote the sport around the world. I also have friends here who have done great things for the sport. It also just happens to be a beautiful country, one that I have been dying to see.

What are you thoughts on the SA swimmers? Do you think anything is lacking from what you have seen?
I have always thought that South African swimmers are some of the most athletic swimmers in the world, everyone seems so much more coordinated than most swimmers. There is a lot of youth coming out and they are good. I think that is a very good sign for the future of this sport in this country. SA’s had a long lineage of some of the best swimmers in the world and what is so great is that the likes of Ryk Neethling and Roland Schoeman have shown the way. It is important for generations to create new talent.

Do you miss the sport?
No, I don’t because I don’t feel like I have completely left it. It is still a part of my life, so I feel like I still have one foot in the door. The competitive side I have left behind, but as far as me still having an effect on the future generations of the sport and getting out there, I feel that is more of where my motivation for the sport lies now. I don’t think I miss it, but I still swim and get my fix.