The formal entrance to the swimming pool is made of an imposing metal. It is never used during normal swimming practice, and we instead walk around to a smaller side entrance, shaded by an extended roof, and from there, step back into the sunlight.

On this particular day, however, the wrought iron entrance was wide and open. Smiling volunteers welcome us into the complex. We did not need to walk the long way around, but instead made our way straight through and sat down to listen to a speaker.

The man who was speaking was out of the ordinary, and he was the reason for the changes. He had a balding head and the hairs that remained were of a color that reminded me of freshly made coffee. There was more to him, however, that met the eye.

He was Rowdy Gaines, the three time Olympic gold medalist. He was here to speak for us.

With every word that he says, it is immediately apparent the pride in his voice, and the precise tremble of his accent reveals the experience he has had in swimming, and the passion he has for this sport. He speaks into the microphone with a clear, crisp, tone. It is hard not to understand.

His eyes sweep across the circle of swimmers crowding around him as he explains the movement of the arms in backstroke and how they must flow. He gazes at one person after another, as if checking each one of them.

Looking at this man, it is hard not to remember the excitement that he must have had at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. It is not hard to remember the obsession for swimming he must have had.

When we finally got into the pool, he demonstrated the proper techniques for swimming, his face shining with excitement. He grabbed me midst swimming and corrected my on my stroke.

“You have to tuck your head down, keep it perpendicular to the ground. It doesn’t matter if you run straight first into the wall. Let yourself get DQed (disqualified) by anything except for your head.”

He then released me, moved on to the guy behind me, lifted him entirely out of the water, and then started talking about posture.

After an hour of swimming, he then gave out autographs, and I eagerly grabbed one. He’s a man of talent, after all.

He’s Rowdy Gaines.