KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — In January, Rowdy Gaines visited the University of Tennessee Aquatics Center to work with former athletes who still have a love of swimming, regardless of their age.
"It's one of the best facilities in the world," Gaines said. "And I've got a bunch of old people behind me! Not literally, well, some literally some figuratively. We're doing a great workout and keeping active even as you age."
A group of local swimmers of all ages, both men and women, got in a chilly pool on a January morning to learn from one of the greats.
Gaines said swimming is something you can do your whole life.
"He's really good with technique, but he also applies it into things that we need to think about even in our age now swimming, so it was awesome," participant Chris Lambert said.
Gaines is the voice behind some of the most iconic races in Olympic history, commentating on races featuring Katie Ledecky, Michael Phelps, Caleb Dressel and more. He's also got several Olympic accolades of his own, including three gold medals from the 1984 Olympic games.
"Winning the gold medal was sort of icing on the cake," he said. "But once I made that Olympic team in 1984, it meant so much to me, because I had made the team in 1980. And there was a boycott so I didn't go."
For people who grew up in the sport, taking a swim alongside Gaines is a dream come true.
"Rowdy is a figure in the sport of swimming," Lambert said. "We've grown up, you get to listen to him in the Olympics. So it's kind of like you get to swim on that bigger level, but have a little bit of fun."
With the Paris Olympics underway, UT is boasting several Olympic athletes. Gaines said UT head swimming coach Matt Kredich and the amazing legacy at UT are huge advantages for Vol athletes as they head to Paris.
"The University of Tennessee has some great names too," Gaines said. "One that comes off my mind is Jordan Crooks. I mean, this is a guy that's going to be on the medal stand in Paris, I think."
As Gaines prepares for the Olympic games, he said there's a lot of work to do. But as an Olympian himself, he appreciates the talent and dedication it takes to be an athlete on the biggest world stage.
"Swimming is an incredibly popular sport for about three months, every four years," he said. "So we really want to pay off these athletes by watching and being invested."