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Chat Reel: Tom Malchow

U.S. swimmer expects to be in the pool in Athens

Tom Malchow Stu Forster/Allsport

American swimmer Tom Malchow followed up his silver medal in the 200m butterfly at the 1996 Olympics with a gold medal at the 2000 Olympics Games in Sydney. He's a former world record holder in the 200m, which he set in 2000 at the Cadillac Challenge Swim Series at Charlotte. Malchow will be competing in the 2001 Goodwill Games in Brisbane, Australia.

CNNSI Host: Welcome to today's chat with Tom Malchow. Welcome and thanks for joining us.
Tom Malchow: Thanks good to be here. Look forward top answering some questions.

From Kristy in Tallahassee, Fla.: We were wondering, how much longer do you plan on swimming for? Are you going for the world record again? Do you plan on coaching when you retire?
Tom Malchow: As far as the length of my career, I'm taking year-by-year. Right now I think I will be around until 2004. I would like to get the World Record back. As as coaching I think I will stay on this side of swimming

From Martin Jurek in Rzeszow, Poland: Why weren't you at Nationals? Goodwill Games are more important for you?
Tom Malchow: With some many meets within a month and a half I had to pick and chose so I could focus. So I selected the World Championship and the Goodwill Games.

From Jack in Oakland, Calif.: Has swimming always been your sport or were you involved in other sports growing up?
Tom Malchow: I played basketball and baseball growing up. But found out that swimming was where my talents lied and it was a little more conducive for my asthma.

From Jeff Vittone in Seattle, Wash.: Have you ever competed in any open water swims? Thanks for being such a positive image for swimmers in our country, I and many others congratulate you on your accomplishments.
Tom Malchow: I stayed away from open water. I prefer to be able to see the bottom. I don't like open water, I feel like sharks are going to eat me or something. I like chlorine and I like a set distance.

From minnesotaswimmer: What's the best way to increase ankle flexibility to improve fly kick?
Tom Malchow: Just a lot of stretching. You can stretch with a partner to help. But you have work on it. It will not happen overnight.

From Jeffrey Lewandowski in Apple Valley, Minn.: What do you eat? My daughter is on a swim team (swims at your old high school) and I always have a difficult time figuring out what she should eat and when. Can you tell me what you eat, and when, on: training days, non-training days, and days of a swim meet? Like a "Day in a Life" of a swimmer.
Tom Malchow: The best advice there is to eat a well-rounded diet. I eat my share of junk food, but I also get enough fruits and vegetables. But what you eat while you train is what you should eat when you swim in competition.

From Paul: Tom, are you planning on swimming in Athens?
Tom Malchow: I think that is the plan right now. I'm still getting faster. As long as I'm still getting faster and having fun, I plan on being there.

From Pete Marcus in New York, N.Y.: Do you believe distance or speed work is the key to your success? On average, how much did you swim daily/weekly? Are there any specific weight training exercises that you attribute to really increasing your speed?
Tom Malchow: Swimming for the 200-meter butterfly, I believe most of your training should be distance. You need a little bit of speed work but most of my training is based off of distance freestyle work. And the weight question. I think weights should be based on a person's body type. So people find a trainer and and base the wieght training on their body type.

From Ryan in Rodgers Forge, Md.: Just how good is Michael Phelps, the 16-year-old who now holds the 200m butterfly world record? Is it possible that he becomes a Mark Spitz, Tiger Woods, kind of mega-athlete with the success he's already had at a young age?
Tom Malchow: He is a very talented swimmer, who is very versatile at a young age, who I think could have a great impact on the sport. Time will tell if he will be the next superstar.

From James Fischer in Carmel, Ind.: How much has competition changed in the 200 fly since Roger Vonjowan held the American record in the early 80's? What has allowed you to be such a lasting swimmer?
Tom Malchow: It's changed a lot. It has gotten a lot faster, even since the '96 Olympics. The times have gotten two to three seconds faster on average. My ability to stay around is based on my hard work and my passion to compete.

CNNSI Host: From maleew: Are there any up and coming swimmers we should be on the lookout for to do well in the next Olympics?
Tom Malchow: There are always up and coming swimmers in the U.S. The United State has always produced dominant swimmers, which is going to help us continue to be the most dominant swimming nation in the world.

CNNSI Host: That's all the time we have today with Tom Malchow. Thank you and good luck in the Goodwill Games!
Tom Malchow: Thank you and watch the Goodwill Games and cheer us on.

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