Roanoke swimmer recalls Olympic trials

Published: August 11, 2008

From his living room in Roanoke, Jordan Anderson watches his debut at the Olympic trials in Omaha.

The Auburn University swimmer competed in the men’s 100 butterfly and won, taking 19th overall out of a 100.  It’s an impressive achievement, but far from first and second held by Michael Phelps and Ian Crocker.

Olympic Coverage

“I think what Phelps and Lochte and a lot of those guys who are out there are doing for the sport of swimming is just incredible, because it’s really putting it on the national stage,” said Anderson.

It’s a stage filled with a lot of water.

Before ever making it to Olympic trials in Nebraska, Anderson trained at the Carter Center in Roanoke.  It was until his sophomore year of high school that he realized it was time to take the sport seriously.

His dedication landed him in one of the best collegiate swimming programs in the country and his own shot at the Olympics.

After diving in a pool with some of the best he’s now Tivo-ing their proudest moments.

For you and I it’s mostly entertainment, but to a competitor it’s a free swimming lesson.

“I love watching, especially when they do the underwater footage, the best way to improve yourself is to watch the fastest people in the world and see how they’re doing it and look at their technique,” Anderson said.

Whether watching technique in person or on T.V., Anderson simply loves swimming and its place at the Olympics

“For swimming this is the pinnacle, I mean this is what every swimmer dreams to do and to be in.”