Olympic Swimming

[Riot]

Originally Posted by docicu3

So do the americans have to swim with a 7 lb disadvantage given how far ahead they are in the 4 X 200 meter relay.....it almost seems unfair somehow.

What the hell did the Chinese do to this pool???

It's indeed built for speed: 9 feet deep rather than 5 feet (less wash); it has two extra unused lanes on the outside (10 lanes rather than 8) = less wash; and it has gutters all around (less wash, the waves break into the gutters).

The other big deal is the swimsuit construction improvement (ultrasonic seams, pressure panels to maximize oxygen flow to major muscle groups)

These guys also do other things like train at altitude, have detailed nutritional glycogen-reloading plans (carb to protein ratios, intake timing after exercise, etc.)

Sports medicine - pretty cool stuff