Suggestions:
You should create a Runner Bean and a Swimmer Bean:
These are the Objects you will place in the ArrayList
e.g:
// Could simply be an extension of Person
class Runner extends Person{
private String foreName;
private String familyName;
private String specialities;
public void setForeName(String foreName){
this.foreName = foreName;
}
public String getForeName(){
return this.foreName;
}
// repeat this for familyName and specialities
public String toString(){
return "Runner - Forename: "+this.foreName+"\tFamily Name: "+this.familyName+"Speciality: "+this.specialities+"\n\n";
}
}
In another class you'll be doing things like:
Runner runner1 = new Runner();
// Input could be via a database or FileReader
runner.setForeName(Some_Class_That_Takes_In_Strings_On_A_Name_Request);
runner.setFamilName(Inputing_Family_Name);
runner.setSpeciality(some_speciality);
// This is if you are using Java 5
java.util.List<Person> listCompetitors = new ArrayList<Person>();
listCompetitors.add(runner);
// Iterate through listCompetitors printing each Person
for(Person person: listCompetitors){
int i = 1;
System.out.println("Competitor Number "+i+")"+ person.toString());
i++;
}