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Shumacher To Focus On Water Polo, Give Up Swimming For 2000 Olympics

May 16, 2000

Two sport star Brad Schumacher, a two-time Olympic Gold medallist in swimming and world champion in water polo has decided not to try to make the 2000 Olympic in two sports.

"I think we have a great shot to win the gold medal in water polo and it's not fair to the team or my teammates to be away from them at swim meets or at swim training during crucial training periods," said Schumacher. "As we approach the Olympic Games it was becoming evident that training for two sports at this level was taking its toll on me and affecting our team's performance."

While the 2000 Olympic Games schedule would have permitted Schumacher to swim before the water polo competition started, the 2000 US Swimming Olympic Trials would take place while the water polo team is scheduled to be on a final per-Olympic tune up in Europe. "It's a difficult decision because doubling up at the Olympics has always been a dream of mine," said Schumacher. "But everyone on our team has made great personal sacrifices for the team and it is no time to be thinking of myself."

Schumacher was a three-time NCAA All-American in both sports during his collegiate career at the University of Pacific. When he failed to make the cut as a member of the 1996 US Olympic Water Polo team he earned a spot on the swim team and won two Olympic gold medals on the 4 x 100 freestyle and 4 x 200 freestyle relay teams. In 1997, he was back on the water polo team and won the 1997 FINA World Cup in Athens, Greece.

Schumacher and the US Water Polo Team are scheduled to compete in the USA during the UPS Cup in Los AlamItos, CA June 27 - July 2 against some of the top international teams in the world, including Italy, Croatia and Australia.