Something a bit different! Local photographer Mark Parham and his assistant Rachael Ward are in the process of creating a photographic documentary called The Everyday Olympian. The concept is based on 'everyday' people who go and swim in an Olympic sized swimming pool (50 metres - yep, I googled to check) that was specifically built for international teams to train in ready for 2012. The idea is that these guys are unsung heroes. Some of the swimmers are over 80, some are big, some small, some disabled, some young, some with children etc. The documentary will be exploring an 'alternative Olympic narrative' by questioning our perception of physical perfection and also looking at the theme of isolation and vulnerability. Here is one of the swimmers quotes from the website: “When you swim, you feel your body for what it mostly is, water and your body begins to move with the water around it. Swimming is not an activity where the surroundings disappear; it is an activity where the environment is the focus, the corporeal sensations of it all-encompassing. It is also an environment in which swimmers are isolated and alone”.

Cool eh? I'm sure some of their stories are interesting. For instance, what motivates them to swim every day? what do they think about while they're doing it? How many bathing costumes do they own? Have they ever applied to be in the real Olympic team? if not why not?I'd love to interview them. Check the website out, some really interesting characters. There is also a facebook page, why not offer your feedback to the project? 


Kerry :)