NEW YORK — Bill May chuckles at the mere mention of the words “Saturday Night Live,” knowing that the conversation is about to turn to the TV show’s 1984 skit starring Martin Short as one of two brothers attempting to make it to the Olympics in what then was called synchronized swimming.
He has zero issues with what “SNL” did 40 years ago. Anything that draws attention to his life’s focus is fine by him. Indeed, May would love to meet Short at some point. Maybe even throw a couple of floaties on him and jump in the pool together. Both May and Adam Andrasko, the CEO of USA Artistic Swimming, see this as promoting inclusion in the sport by helping those who previously haven’t been encouraged — or even permitted — to take part.
“I never thought it would happen for my career,” he said. “I knew it would happen, because I knew that it had to happen for the sport to grow. … I just kind of got chills all over my body and thought: ‘OK, am I going to do this? Yes, I’m going to do this!’” “He was already a star when I started. Bill May had a huge name. I remember going to a few of his exhibitions. … I would watch him, and his swimming was so beautiful,” said Megumi Field, an 18-year-old who competes for the U.S. “It was inspiring to see someone like Bill go as far as he has.”