12.02.2005
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — Five-time Olympic delegation member Charlie Snyder will attempt to break his own COS Open record in the 2000-yard freestyle today at the Downtown YMCA Aquatic Center. Snyder’s previous best for the unusually long, 40-lap, distance event is 36:23, set on Nov. 17, 2004.
“And that’s with a no-dive start and open turns,” Snyder said in an email to journalists. “I haven’t learned how to do flip turns yet.”
His 2005 best was 36:35 back in February.
“I wasn’t shaved or tapered,” Snyder said.
Snyder, who endeavors to break all of his personal records in every distance every year, understands the Herculean task set before him.
“Michael Phelps doesn’t set his goals this high,” Snyder said. “It’s just not realistic for most people, but since I’m not that strong of a swimmer, I can.”
The nine distances are as following: 600, 800, 1000, 1200, 1650, 1800, 2000, 2500, and 3000 yards. Snyder has already set records in the 800, 1200, and 1800, but has six events to go.
“I’m planning on having a record-setting December, but the pressure is on. The YMCA generally isn’t open on Christmas, plus, I have a lot of holiday shopping to get done as well.”
Just two days ago, on Wednesday, Snyder missed his 1650-yard freestyle record by seven seconds at the Briargate YMCA.
“There are no moral victories in swimming. I have analyzed the tapes, have identified some areas where I can improve and, today, the 2,000-yard record is going down.”
About Charlie Snyder
Charlie Snyder is currently the Internet Marketing Manager for the United States Olympic Committee. For 10 years, he dominated the world of National Governing Body public relations and publicity as Communications Director for USA Swimming. The Snyder Family has exactly five members and tonight Sammy and I are going to go out for dinner, while Rose entertains some of her friends at the house.
