The 'Official' Olympic thread - sub section - aquatics

[Stat Brother]

Forgive me for being utterly thick, but what difference does the lane draw in swimming really make to one's chances?

I can understand it in athletics because it affects the way you go around the turn and all that, but in swimming they all start in a straight line, the lanes are all the same length and they all finish in the same place.

It's so you can see all around you.
Probably shorter, too.

 

[Frutos]

New World Record in the Women's 100m butterfly despite the winner almost somehow contriving to miss the wall.

 

[So.CalGull]

Forgive me for being utterly thick, but what difference does the lane draw in swimming really make to one's chances?

I can understand it in athletics because it affects the way you go around the turn and all that, but in swimming they all start in a straight line, the lanes are all the same length and they all finish in the same place.

The idea behind the lane assignments is that the fastest deserve the middle, where they can most easily observe both directions of the pool, and also, because the typical formation of such swims is like that of eagles flying, in a V, with the Lane 4 swimmer in the lead. That lead creates a wake/rough water, as it filters out and behind the leader. If you are the fastest, you are the only one to be cutting through smooth water.

 

[Frutos]

The idea behind the lane assignments is that the fastest deserve the middle, where they can most easily observe both directions of the pool, and also, because the typical formation of such swims is like that of eagles flying, in a V, with the Lane 4 swimmer in the lead. That lead creates a wake/rough water, as it filters out and behind the leader. If you are the fastest, you are the only one to be cutting through smooth water.

Ta.

 

[patchamalbion]

Robbie Renick has made it through to the final - well played sir

 

[patchamalbion]

great swim from Adlington and another medal

 

[HastingsSeagull]

The idea behind the lane assignments is that the fastest deserve the middle, where they can most easily observe both directions of the pool, and also, because the typical formation of such swims is like that of eagles flying, in a V, with the Lane 4 swimmer in the lead. That lead creates a wake/rough water, as it filters out and behind the leader. If you are the fastest, you are the only one to be cutting through smooth water.

Indeed this. At the olympics they can afford the multi thousand pound wave breaker lane ropes so it's not much of an effect, but obviously these races are decided by the smallest margins and also the 'wake' is from the most powerful swimmers in the world so likely to be the biggest so does have a small effect.

Oh and I own and run a swim school Have swum with a couple of people who stand no chance of finals but are there swimming, and they absolutely embarrass everyone I know who is a 'club swimmer'. They are serious physical specimins but quite a few olympic athletes actually have shocking technique! Multiple high up coaches all agree, not just 'my view'. They just find a way that 'works for them'.

 

[Frutos]

Well, crap lane or not she's just doubled the GB medal tally so far.

 

[Stat Brother]

Well, crap lane or not she's just doubled the GB medal tally so far.

All good.

Not a lot of 'wash' out there.

 

[DumLum]

quite a few olympic athletes actually have shocking technique! Multiple high up coaches all agree, not just 'my view'. They just find a way that 'works for them'.

This.

You maybe too young to remember Janet Evans, though you have probably heard of her. She is the perfect example of this. Picking up 3 golds in seoul 88.



Her windmill arms got her three golds at an Olympics, my near perfect stroke got me one "fourth place ribbon"...and that was achieved at a gala that was only open to the swimmers who went to the same club as me.

 

[Frutos]

Tom Daley & Pete Waterfield go in the Mens 10m Synchronised Platform Final at 3pm, this is the full starting lineup:

1) Zakharov/Minibaev (RUS)
2) Zaha/Clyne (SEL)
3) Cao/Zhang (CHI)
4) Hausding/Klein (GER)
5) Boudia/McCrory (USA)
6) Ronaldo/Nani (POR)
7) Garcia Navarro/Sanchez Sanchez (MEX)
8) Aguirre/Guerra (CUB)
9) Daley/Waterfield (GBR)
10) Gorshkovozov/Bondar (UKR)

 

[Frutos]

Nearly time, 10 mins or so.

 

[Frutos]

Daley & Waterfield are in equal 1st place after the first round of dives, but 5 more rounds to go yet.

 

[Titanic]

After two rounds...

 

[Titanic]

Awesome back 3.5 somersault in Round 3...

 

[Frutos]

I'm no expert, but that looked BLOODY good.

 

[Elvis]

Top bombing!!!

 

[Frutos]

3 out of the 6 rounds completed, and we're out in front by 2.4 points.

 

[Titanic]

still leading after Round 3...

 

[Bozza]

5Live discussing the benefit of the home crowd roaring each GB dive and the impact that will have on the judging.