Gold in the Water: The True Story of Ordinary Men and Their Extraordinary Dream of Olympic Glory Paperback - 2003

First line

Oh my God, is this really happening?!"

From the rear cover

Mullen does an excellent job not only of conveying the daily torture that elite swimmers go through in the pool but also of giving insight into lesser-known aspects of swimming. ---The New York Times

In California, a team of talented young men begin pursuing the most elusive dream in sports, the Olympic Games. The pressure steadily increases as two best friends (a mentor and his protg) reach the top of the world rankings and unexpectedly find themselves direct competitors. Their teammates include an emerging star methodically plotting to retrace his father's path to Olympic glory, as well as a super-extraordinary athlete desperate to walk away from it all. Led by one of the most passionate coaches in sports, a brilliant and explosive strategist on a personal quest for redemption, this team of dark horses and Olympic favorites works through escalating rivalries, joyous triumphs, and heartbreaking setbacks.

Author P. H. Mullen chronicles their journey to the 2000 Olympic Games and presents one of the most powerful and moving sports books ever written. Boldly sweeping in literary power and pace, this startling book willpermanently change how you view the Olympic athlete.

It is a fascinating world of suspense and emotion where human desire for excellence rules over all, and where there are no second chances for glory. But above all, Gold in the Water is a triumph of the human spirit.

Gold in the Water is essentially the tale of a journey of self-awareness, self-belief and the important relationships between coaches and a band of elite swimmers.---The London Times

Like the best sports books, this one spends a lot of time with the athletes, letting us see them not just as performers but as people.... A superb sports book.---Booklist (starred review)

This is the book I wish I had written. Gold in the Water accurately and vividly describes the emotional turmoil that precedes an Olympic Games, and it made me care about the character of the participants, not just their swimming. I couldn't put it down! ---John Naber, Olympic hero, author of Awaken the Olympian Within, and president of the U.S. Olympic Alumni

Named one of the Best Sports Books of 2001 by The London Times