Kitajima ponders future after Olympic flop

Kitajima - once the golden boy in Japanese swimming- has lost his Beijing glow. ...................................................Probably aging has something to do with it; I think - changing his coach impacted his training style as well . .................................................... But what doesn't help is his HUGE attitude - PLUS - try shedding the beard before a race . . .cheeeeeesh!

He's just getting older. Most swimmers start to decline in their late 20s. At 33, he probably has little to no chance of getting a medal in Rio. He's an Olympic legend for Japan, but if he isn't satisfied not challenging for medals anymore - it's time to start to pass his expertise onto the next generation full-time. Otsukare, Kitajima.

How is finishing just outside the medals (4th etc) a FLOP? He is 4 years older than he was in Beijing, the swimmers have probably been analysing his style and everyone has caught up! I think he did well to finish in the top 5! Perhaps it is time for him to rethink what he wants to do and pass on his expertise to the next generation.

I'm sure he will try and stay in till the next Olympics. He has a lot more Money to earn as a medal hopeful and that's a lot to give up. I'm sure after working as a teacher getting 4 million a year he will come out of retirement soon