Why Spyridon Gianniotis Will Win Rio Olympics 10K
Courtesy of WOWSA, Huntington Beach, California.
It is nearly impossible to accurately predict the medalists in the Olympic 10K Marathon Swim at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games…but some athletes are ideally prepared to swim the race of their lives and capture a medal.
One of those athletes is the senior veteran of the Greek Swimming Federation, Spyridon Gianniotis.
There are a number of reasons why Gianniotis will stand on the Olympic podium on Copacabana Beach at the end of the Olympic 10K Marathon Swim:
1. His track record of success on the international stage. Not only has he won two FINA World Championships in the 10 km marathon swim, but he has long been a contender in every international competition he has participated in.
2. His Olympic experience. Gianniotis has qualified for the 2000, 2004, 2008, 2012 and 2016 Olympic Games. He knows the pressure of the Games, he has experience with the logistics and expectations of the Olympic 10K Marathon Swim.
3. He can adapt to all racing situations. Gianniotis has won races from the front, from the middle of the lead pack, and from way back in the rear (one of his FINA World Championship victories can after he came back from 46th place).
4. He has succeeded in medaling in lakes and oceans, rowing basins and seas, and in rough and calm conditions.
5. This is realistically his last shot at a medal. The 36-year-old retains the stamina, strength and speed of men half his age and his race awareness is on the highest end of the spectrum.
5. He believes he can medal and win.
6. Greece is rooting for him.
Copyright © 2016 by World Open Water Swimming Association 
It is nearly impossible to accurately predict the medalists in the Olympic 10K Marathon Swim at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games…but some athletes are ideally prepared to swim the race of their lives and capture a medal.
One of those athletes is the senior veteran of the Greek Swimming Federation, Spyridon Gianniotis.
There are a number of reasons why Gianniotis will stand on the Olympic podium on Copacabana Beach at the end of the Olympic 10K Marathon Swim:
1. His track record of success on the international stage. Not only has he won two FINA World Championships in the 10 km marathon swim, but he has long been a contender in every international competition he has participated in.
2. His Olympic experience. Gianniotis has qualified for the 2000, 2004, 2008, 2012 and 2016 Olympic Games. He knows the pressure of the Games, he has experience with the logistics and expectations of the Olympic 10K Marathon Swim.
3. He can adapt to all racing situations. Gianniotis has won races from the front, from the middle of the lead pack, and from way back in the rear (one of his FINA World Championship victories can after he came back from 46th place).
4. He has succeeded in medaling in lakes and oceans, rowing basins and seas, and in rough and calm conditions.
5. This is realistically his last shot at a medal. The 36-year-old retains the stamina, strength and speed of men half his age and his race awareness is on the highest end of the spectrum.
5. He believes he can medal and win.
6. Greece is rooting for him.
Copyright © 2016 by World Open Water Swimming Association
Southern California native, born 1962, is the creator of the WOWSA Awards, Oceans Seven, Openwaterpedia, Citrus Corps, World Open Water Swimming Association, Daily News of Open Water Swimming, Global Open Water Swimming Conference. He is Chief Executive Officer of KAATSU Global and KAATSU Research Institute. Inductee in the International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame (Honor Swimmer, Class of 2001) and Ice Swimming Hall of Fame (Honor Contributor - Media, Class of 2019), recipient of the International Swimming Hall of Fame's Poseidon Award (2016), International Swimming Hall of Fame's Irving Davids-Captain Roger Wheeler Memorial Award (2010), USA Swimming's Glen S. Hummer Award (2007, 2010) and Harvard University's John B. Imrie Award (1984). Served on the FINA Technical Open Water Swimming Committee and as Technical Delegate with the 2011 Special Olympics World Summer Games, and 9-time USA Swimming coaching staff. Note: WOWSA only recommends products or services used or recommended by the community. WOWSA does not receive compensation for links or products mentioned on this site or in blog posts. If it does, it will be indicated clearly on that specific post. See WOWSA's privacy policy for more information.
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