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Swimmer, 72, dies at NY's Empire State Games

lohud.com — Joel Schwartz loved to swim and was proud of winning competitions. At age 72, he served as a role model for physical fitness. His friends and fellow swimmers were shocked to learn Schwartz died after suffering a heart attack while competing in a 1,500-meter freestyle swim at the Empire State Games.

Who dugg this? Made popular Jul 28, 2008

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29 Comments

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  • Villagemom, on 07/28/2008, -3/+23He died healthy doing what he loved. I am sure that he will be missed but to me that is the way to go.
  • thekms, on 07/28/2008, -1/+1272 and doing a 1,500 meter freestyle?! I'm 17 I'd probably have a heart attack in that race...
    RIP. Like it's been said, at least he went out doing what he loved, that crazy old man.
  • dilbert, on 07/28/2008, -3/+14When I die, I want to go like my grandpa: quietly while asleep. Not screaming like the 35 people in the bus he drove at that moment.
  • zionKing, on 07/28/2008, -0/+9At least he died doing what he enjoyed most...
  • jcorn1, on 07/28/2008, -2/+11I know it is going to sound corny but I have to think it was better for him to die in a swimming pool than a hospital room. It had to be a sudden death, hopefully with a minimum of suffering. I'd rather be at home or outside than in a hospital room when my time comes. Still, sad that he had to die while competing.
  • MommaLu, on 07/28/2008, -3/+12I'm 35 years old and 72 sounds way too young to die. Sad.
  • razorsharpwit, on 07/28/2008, -3/+11just like Blue, you're my boy Blue!
  • inactive, on 07/28/2008, -1/+6Can I have his t-shirt?
  • mohsenxp, on 07/28/2008, -0/+5My grandfather - 92yrs and smokes 25cigs a day. Looks about 80 and is only just starting to show signs of slowing down.
    Sometimes you just get dealt an unlucky card and go before your time. RIP swimmer dude.
  • zionKing, on 07/28/2008, -0/+4Ah I think you were looking for your buddies over at http://www.youtube.com
  • lgh0s7l, on 07/28/2008, -2/+5if your going to die, then die doing something you love i guess....R.i.P.
  • Michaelabehsera, on 07/28/2008, -1/+4I agree its better to die that way, but even he should have taken some precaution.
  • gandhii, on 07/28/2008, -0/+3I have friends in their 50s and 60s who do 3+ mile open water swims way faster than me... and I'm 34
  • Clerg, on 07/28/2008, -1/+4God Bless him for staying active and fit at his age.
    But, what does this say about the exercises Nazi's and their fitness mantra? This guys was evidently in very good shape and he dies right around the median age for males. Where is the extra 10 or so years he should have gotten from regular exercise and being so fit? Didn't the runners guru Jim Fixx die at 52? Just because you run/walk/swim every day or live at the gym, don't expect it to solve all your health issues and live to 90...you can't exercise your genes. So before you blow your life on a treadmill, go spend some quality time with your kids, or grand kids, they don't care what your waist or dress size is.

    Remember: All we are is dust in the wind Dude!
  • shutaro, on 07/28/2008, -1/+3If he was healthy, he'd still be alive.
  • inactive, on 07/28/2008, -1/+3vote for that , i mean the ultimate reason that man survived all these years . is " Life Goes On "
  • inactive, on 07/28/2008, -0/+1 Had he switched to 400M freestyle he might still be with us.
  • sexybobo, on 07/28/2008, -0/+1Yes
    http://www.thinkgeek.com/tshirts/frustrations/5aa9 ...
  • gandhii, on 07/28/2008, -0/+1precaution? what kind of precaution? Looks to me like he was in the best situation possible. Surrounded by life guards and such. You don't get that in most places where we all work and play.
  • mrloci, on 07/28/2008, -1/+2should have stayed home and played countdown...mug
  • gandhii, on 07/28/2008, -0/+1As a fellow masters swimmer... I totally agree. My grandfather (a farmer) died one morning at about the same age as Joel while sitting on his tractor. I would not be disappointed to pass on while swimming an open water race.
  • gandhii, on 07/28/2008, -1/+1your site sucks. it doesn't make any since.. why did you even bother making a site that only lists a bunch of of commercial products? What could possibly be the point?!!??
  • AmyVernon, on 07/28/2008, -2/+1Thank you Steven Wright.
  • oxymoron69, on 07/28/2008, -3/+1what is this lohud spam? gah... keep your local news to yourself.
  • rayfoy, on 07/28/2008, -7/+1heroic!

    http://www.realitycasting.info

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