Retired 7-time Olympic medalist Aaron Peirsol will compete again in Brazil at the King & Queen of the Sea challenge, a televised open water event at Copacabana Beach in Brazil.
Peirsol, who retired in 2011, has remained active, competing in various open water events since ending his professional pool career. He and professional open water swimmer Ashley Twichell will compete in the 6 x 500m relay this Sunday. Each leg includes a 450 meter swim followed by a 50 meter run on the beach, where the relay exchanges will take place.
The King & Queen of the Sea event is a three-stage open water swim series held in various Brazilian waters. Copacabana Beach hosts the third and final stage, and also televises the event on Brazilian TV.
Peirsol will be easily the most-decorated athlete in attendance (though not many fields could outdo the 3-time Olympian), and according to Best Swimming, he’s maintained a weight of about 205 pounds, only about 5 above what he competed during his lengthy pool career.