Duels in the Pool Swimmings Greatest Rivalries [Hardcover]

[The book] is more of a chronology of confrontations, sporting or otherwise, spanning almost 80 years, than a detailed, scholarly analysis. Yet it is precisely because of this that the book succeeds in demonstrating the potential interest and limitations of rivalry as an analytical concept.An individual sport at its core, swimming is defined by iconic rivalries such as those between Ian Thorpe and Grant Hackett, Michael Phelps and Ryan Lochte, and Jenny Thompson and Dara Torres. Spanning nearly 100 years, this book highlights the best of these contests, including individual showdowns, team battles, friendly competitions, and heated political rivalries. From their early beginnings through the highlights of their careers, this book follows the top athletes in the sport and the rivals who pushed them to the pinnacle of swimming. Exhaustively researched, Duels in the Pool includes original interviews and rich details, shining a light on some of the sports finest athletes and the rivalries that propelled them to greatness. This book will appeal not only to sports historians and researchers but also to fans of swimming at every level.In the sports world, battles between rivals can be friendly, hotly contested, or even hostile. An individual sport at its core, swimming is defined by iconic rivalries such as those between Ian Thorpe and Grant Hackett, Michael Phelps and Ryan Lochte, and Jenny Thompson and Dara Torres. Throughout its history, swimming has showcased some of its top athletes competing face to face, challenging each other in ways that captivate their fans.Duels in the Pool: Swimmings Greatest Rivalries highlights the best of these contests. Spanning nearly 100 years, this book delves into the individual showdowns, team battles, friendly competitions, and heated political rivalries that have played out in pools around the world. From their early beginnings through the highlights of their careers, this book follows the top athletes in the sport and the rivals wlƒÁ