TUCSON – Nick Thoman, the 2012 Olympic silver medalist in the 100 backstroke, is returning to Tucson to train for the 2016 Olympic Trials and will have the reigning Olympic champion in the lane next to him.
54 hours 1,971.0 miles later and I’ve arrived in my new training location…. Beautiful Tucson, AZ!!!
— Nick Thoman (@Nick_Thoman) February 6, 2015
Thoman’s agent David Arluck confirmed the move to Swimming World via email today. Thoman will be a part of the small postgrad group at the University of Arizona, which includes 100 back Olympic and world champion Matt Grevers as well as sprint freestyler Margo Geer and others. It will be a homecoming of sorts for Thoman, who competed for the Arizona Wildcats from 2004 to 2006 before embarking on a quest to find a training group that would help him make the 2008 Olympic team. He didn’t qualify for the Beijing Olympics, but in 2009 he became the fastest short course meters 100 backstroker in history, posting a 48.94 as the leadoff for Team USA’s 400 medley relay that still stands as the world record. Before landing at SwimMAC Carolina in 2009 he spent time with Longhorn Aquatics and North Baltimore Aquatic Club.
Under David Marsh’s guidance, Thoman secured a spot on the 2012 Olympic team in the 100 backstroke and won a silver medal in the event behind Grevers. Grevers arrived in Tucson to train under Rick DeMont after Thoman’s departure, so this will be a new venture for the two backstrokers as they look to return to the Olympics in 2016 to maintain the United States’ dominance in the event. An American has won the 100 backstroke in the past five Olympics.
Photo Courtesy: Rob Schumacher/USA Today Sports
Thoman dislocated his shoulder almost one year ago, just two months after breaking the short course yards American records in the 50 and 100 backstrokes. The injury set back his training a bit in 2014. He placed third in the 100 backstroke at the 2014 summer nationals and will compete at this summer’s Pan American Games in Canada.
Nick Thoman comments on returning to Tucson
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