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SSPC: Zane Waddell Discusses Retiring From Lack of Funding

In the SwimSwam Podcast dive deeper into the sport you love with insider conversations about swimming. Hosted by Coleman Hodges and Gold Medal Mel Stewart, SwimSwam welcomes both the biggest names in swimming that you already know, and rising stars that you need to get to know, as we break down the past, present, and future of aquatic sports.

We sat down with World, NCAA and SEC Champion Zane Waddell. Waddell recently announced his retirement, to the surprise of many, as the Olympic year is around the corner and he seems to be in his prime. Waddell discussed not being able to financially support himself with only swimming and why he wasn’t able to make the trip to Budapest to compete in the ISL as he had planned.

Waddell has stayed exceedingly optimistic throughout this process however and is embracing his new journey into the corporate realm of finance as his new challenge in life. He expresses extreme gratitude for everything swimming gave him, especially the relationships. Waddell is excited to give back to swimming in the future while wearing a different kind of suit.

Music: Otis McDonald
www.otismacmusic.com

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Opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the interviewed guests do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs, and viewpoints of the hosts, SwimSwam Partners, LLC and/or SwimSwam advertising partners.

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Ghost
3 years ago

Couple thoughts:
Coleman had the Christmas cleanup with haircut and no beard!
Zane definitely has his head on his shoulders. Knowing there is life after swimming is a quality many swimmers need to understand better.
Anton is a great role model on and out of the pool!
Glad Zane found a good job in this pandemic economy! Hope the bank helps him with a green card if he wants to stay in usa!
I know people here won’t like this comment but I agree with his federation in that if they don’t have money, why fund a 50 backstroker if that isn’t an Olympic event?

Brendan Dassey
Reply to  Ghost
3 years ago

Yeah, why not fund the only African male to get a gold medal at the World Championships? It makes no sense to me. He outperformed the whole continent, surely he deserves funding?

Jodie
3 years ago

Big Chicago fan

Ferb
3 years ago

Great interview. I wish I had the time to watch more of these all the way through, but I’m never disappointed when I do, and this was one of the best.

That Guy
3 years ago

Sad for South African and world swimming! Especially in an Olympic year. Hope it brings more awareness to this issue!

Horninco
3 years ago

Sad state of affairs for RSA swimming

Bruh
3 years ago

Very sad, love to see him come back one day

About Coleman Hodges

Coleman Hodges

Coleman started his journey in the water at age 1, and although he actually has no memory of that, something must have stuck. A Missouri native, he joined the Columbia Swim Club at age 9, where he is still remembered for his stylish dragon swim trunks. After giving up on …

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