Is the IOC's New Athlete Grant Actually a Pay Cut?

Why Billionaires Could Save Competitive Swimming

What if the biggest opportunity in swimming isn't faster training—but better funding?In this episode of the Night Swim Podcast, Dax Hill and Elvis Burrows explore how billionaire philanthropists like Gina Rinehart have helped support Australian swimmers and ask an important question:Why isn't this happening everywhere?The conversation dives into athlete funding, sponsorships, philanthropy, USA Swimming, World Aquatics, NIL opportunities, and why swimming organizations may be leaving millions of dollars on the table.

Is the IOC's New Athlete Grant Actually a Pay Cut?

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has announced a new athlete grant—but is it really helping Olympic athletes, or is it simply replacing funding that already existed?In this episode of the Night Swim Podcast, Dax Hill and Elvis Burrows break down the IOC's athlete grant program, discuss how Olympic funding has worked in the past, and share firsthand experiences with financial support during their own elite swimming careers.They also debate whether this new grant is genuine progress or simply a public relations move following recent criticism of athlete compensation.

Jordan Crooks Is BACK! Can the World's Fastest Swimmer Dominate Again?

Jordan Crooks is officially making his return to competitive swimming, and the swimming world is paying attention.In this episode of the Night Swim Podcast, Dax Hill and Elvis Burrows discuss Jordan Crooks' comeback, what time away from the pool could mean for his performance, and whether elite swimmers can return stronger after taking an extended break.The conversation also looks at past comeback stories, sprint swimming, training philosophy, and why Jordan Crooks may have all the tools needed to compete at the highest level once again.

Jessica Hardy Is This Really a Comeback... or Just Publicity?

Former world champion Jessica Hardy is back in the pool—but is it really a comeback?In this episode, Dax and Elvis debate whether Jessica Hardy's return deserves the "comeback" label or if it's simply a swimmer getting back in the water. They question the role of swimming media, discuss what actually makes a comeback meaningful, and explore why some stories capture headlines while others don't.The conversation quickly expands into a bigger discussion about why competitive swimming struggles to generate excitement, what fans actually care about, and how the sport can become more engaging.Do you think Jessica Hardy is making a real comeback? Let us know in the comments.

Should Swimming Add a 25 Freestyle? The Debate That Could Change the Sport

Could the 25 freestyle become the most exciting event in competitive swimming?In this episode of the Night Swim Podcast, Dax Hill and Elvis Burrows debate whether World Aquatics should introduce a 25 freestyle at major international competitions. They compare swimming to track and field, discuss why sprint events attract the biggest audiences, and explore how a new race could make the sport more exciting for fans.The conversation also covers underwater dolphin kicks, 50-meter events, race formats, and the future of sprint swimming.