Olympic gold medalist Anthony Ervin(USA) won the men's 50m freestyle in 21.98 at the Arena Pro Swim Series 2016 at Charlotte.
He is a gold medalist 2000 Olympic Games Sydney, and also world championship 2001 Fukuoka.
Now, I would like to introduce my memory about him.
He always reminds me the race of 2001, I was 9years old.
I watched his 100m freestyle final on TV.
I didn't know his name at that time because there were two super stars, Pieter van den Hoogenband(NED) and Ian Thorpe(AUS).
I was so excited thinking which swimmer would win.
Needless to say,the race was exciting and some swimmers were in contention to the last touch, so I didn't know who had first touch. Just after the race,I could see Hoogenband won the race, and next was florander, Thorpe was the third.
But the real winner was, you know,Ervin.
Because Ervin hadn't touched the wall enough, his record hadn't been shown on the record board just after the race.
I had been thinking Hoogenband won the race at first, but all American supporters had been calling USA!!! USA!!! USA!!! all the time.
I couldn't understand why everyone had been calling like that.
But just a little later, I could know why.
I still remember the moment of that calls and scene clearly because that scene absolutely fascinated and shocked 9 years boy.
Ervin!!! Ervin!!!Ervin!!!!
USA!!!!USA!!!!USA!!!!USA!!!
Anthony Ervin, he has been my HERO, forever.
He has been training for this June, and Olympic Games. I'm looking forward to watching his race.
I hope his good luck.
Thx.