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Marwan El Kamash: Building Egypt's Next Generation of Swimmers
"I started swimming distance when I was 27... people usually get older and swim less, but for me it was different"- Marwan El Kamash
SWIM NERD
October 21, 2024
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Live from his car in Cairo, 3x Olympic Egyptian swimmer Marwan El Kamash joins the pod to discuss his journey, his experiences as a competitive swimmer, and his aspirations for Egyptian swimming.
Growing Up in Egypt
Marwan shared his connection with Egypt, including the rich history of his homeland. Though he admitted that growing up in Egypt, the historical significance didn't quite hit him in the same way it does for outsiders like Brett, Marwan spoke with pride about being from Alexandria and his current efforts to contribute to the future of Egyptian swimming.
Challenges of Being an Elite Swimmer in Egypt
One of the central themes of the interview was the challenges of being an elite swimmer in a country where swimming isn't as developed as in other nations. Marwan revealed that despite his significant accomplishments, including being a three-time Olympian, Egypt has never had a swimmer make it to an Olympic final. He expressed his desire to change that narrative by developing a strong team for the upcoming 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. His vision includes inspiring and helping young Egyptian swimmers qualify and compete at the highest levels while training in Egypt, without needing to go abroad to achieve their dreams.
Limitations of the Swimming Culture in Egypt
Marwan also discussed the limitations of the swimming culture in Egypt, mentioning that coaches often try to replicate American workouts without the necessary understanding or customization for the swimmers’ needs. He pointed out the need for more comprehensive coach education and a better system to develop swimming talent domestically. Despite these obstacles, Marwan has experienced training with top-tier coaches and swimmers from all over the world - including his time in South Africa with Graham Hill and in the United States under the guidance of coaches like Mark Bernardino and Mark Schubert.
Transitioning from Mid-Distance to Distance Swimming
Reflecting on his journey, Marwan spoke about his transition from being a mid-distance freestyler to embracing distance swimming. This transition was not without its struggles, as he admitted that he initially resisted swimming distance events. But with the influence of coaches like Dino, Marwan eventually found his strength in longer races, even if the journey wasn’t what he originally imagined. His candidness about the intensity and volume required in his training was eye-opening; Marwan shared some of his grueling workout sets, including 16x400's on 4:20 long course, holding under four minutes for every fourth one. And, 10x1000's SCY on 9:30. 😲
Overcoming Injury and Building the Future
They also discussed Marwan’s recent shoulder injury, which occurred during World Champs, resulting in a partial dislocation during the start of the 800 Free. Despite the immense pain, Marwan persevered and finished the race. Following the competition, he underwent surgery to repair his shoulder, but instead of focusing on his own comeback, he’s channeling his energy into building a solid foundation for the next generation of Egyptian swimmers.
Bringing in Global Expertise
Brett and Marwan discussed the importance of bringing in experts and learning from successful swimming programs around the world. Marwan emphasized his desire to create a system in Egypt that not only helps produce Olympic qualifiers but also builds pride and a sense of ownership in the country’s swimming future. Brett offered his support, expressing a genuine interest in going to Egypt and help contribute to Marwan’s vision.
A Testament to Resilience
Marwan’s journey is a testament to resilience, adaptability, and the love of sport. His openness about his experiences, both the highs and the setbacks, paints a picture of an athlete who isn’t just focused on his own success but is deeply committed to paving the way for others. His efforts to push Egyptian swimming to new heights is inspiring, and it will be exciting to see how his influence shapes the future of the sport in his home country.
Enjoy!
Time Stamps:
00:00 Hello Marwan 01:01 Growing up in Egypt 02:57 Egyptian Pride 05:32 Future of Egyptian Swimming 6:23 How Marwan got into swimming 07:49 Realizing his Talent 11:03 Highlights of college career 11:46 Gap Year 12:58 Succeeding at Middle Distance 15:29 Middle distance sets 16:12 Volume VS Intensity 17:08 Lack of Guidance 19:32 Speaking up 20:32 Choice Between Sprinting and Endurance 21:23 Past coaches 22:52 Making distance fun 23:39 Distance sets 25:34 Future of distance swimming 26:52 Journalling 27:19 Solo VS Group Work 28:07 Paris Shoulder Dislocation 31:42 Coaching in Egypt 36:27 Write stuff down 37:25 Thanks Marwan
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