Olympics Forum

[simonbampfield]

Michael Phelps kicks ass!

That said, anyone find it odd that all of these swimming events are setting new world records? There was one race where all three medalists broke the previous record. Makes you wonder... is it improved training? Lotions or caps that reduce drag? Or dare I say it, a new undetectable hormone/steroid?

The commentators were saying the other day that it's because of the new suits that the athletes have decided to wear, and the pool itself(the water cube) enhances the speed of the athletes.

The new swim suits also have some sort of bouyancy thing in the stomach, that is what is helping so much.
word is they may ban them after the olympics (these suits literally came in just before the olympics started).

[Mindflayer]

Michael Phelps kicks ass!

That said, anyone find it odd that all of these swimming events are setting new world records? There was one race where all three medalists broke the previous record. Makes you wonder... is it improved training? Lotions or caps that reduce drag? Or dare I say it, a new undetectable hormone/steroid?

Actually there is a very good reason. The Olympic swimming pools must have 2 or more meters depth. Most Olympic race pools have the 2+ meters depth. The Chinese pools have 3 meters depth. This creates far less in drag when swimming straight as the wave bounce up from the floor is less. This is even bigger on the turn around against the wall as the blow back wave will be slightly less for the swimmers behind the leader. On a final note this may help Phelps as he dives deeper (though slower than others off the block) on his initial jump to start.

The fact that Phelps emulates a dolphin better than anyone else ever under water is still is an impact also. That and pool depth are the biggest reasons Phelps and everyone is breaking records.

Michael Phelps is the Tiger Woods of his sport. Enjoy it while you can.

[YiOF]

I have a question for everyone who is from a foreign country. Does your country rank Olympic medals by gold or by total metals like here in US?

[studcrackers]

mr. mass, im a little scared going to the olympic forum all by myself, can you hold my hand and take me there? *extends hand to howard mass*

[eyeatoma]

I have a question for everyone who is from a foreign country. Does your country rank Olympic medals by gold or by total metals like here in US?

Gold, the US is one of the only countries, if not the only country that ranks it by total medals...

[london sonic]

I have a question for everyone who is from a foreign country. Does your country rank Olympic medals by gold or by total metals like here in US?

Being from England the commentators and broadcasters think total medals but me personally its simple its by golds who wants to be second or third.

[broadstbull]

I have a comment...maybe someone can give me a reason. But I was wondering in the Olympics why is it that the USA Basketball team has to play international rules...I mean the game wasn't meant to be played that way. If I created a board game, I'm not going to play the game I created under someone else’s rules. I just found that weird and it give international players an unfair advantage. Can anyone give me a reason or does anyone else feel the same way?

[Rocky5000]

^That's a good point. People are always trying to mess with what we invent in the US.

[bakafool]

Just to add to what has already been said, here's what was said on the ESPN boards:

A former competitive swimmer colleague of mine said all the world records being set recently are because of 3 major changes:

1) Shark-skin suits

2) Dept of the pool (the pool in China is 3m as opposed to 2m) - more water to displace means less turbulence in the water.

3) Maximum velocity for a swimmer occurs immediately after a kickoff following a turn (obviously). However, now you are allowed to do that flutter kick (and maintain that max speed) under water for as long as you want. Before the games in Athens you were allowed only to do 2 flutter kicks and then you had to break the surface of the water and start the stroke. [He thinks that #2 and #3 have made the biggest difference]

[Veggamattic]

I might be overstating this depending on how the media takes it. Especially the American media. If you don't know who Usain Bolt (of Jamaica) is be prepared to witness a Phenomenon. Tomorrow (10:30am) he will run the fastest 100 meters that anyone on earth has ever run. Maybe near the 9.5 second mark. I know I'm going way out on a limb with this time but watching this guy run amazes me. He may win the 100 200 and 400. He is just new to 100 meter sprinting and at 21 just looks like he is getting started. Imagine if he can catch a football!

I think we are about to witness history.

[bakafool]

Proof that Michael Phelps isn't human:

[DakkaFromNyc]

^^^ LOLZ, thats great

[Tomato]

Proof that Michael Phelps isn't human:

Wow I litterally Loled.

[Zihuatanejo]

I think they should do a point system...

3 for gold
2 for silver
1 for bronze

It's pretty much just the same as just counting golds, but it'll make it seem a little bit more just.

[JustMagic]

I have a question for everyone who is from a foreign country. Does your country rank Olympic medals by gold or by total metals like here in US?

By gold.