Post#24 » by bakafool » Fri Aug 15, 2008 3:45 pm
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]
Noooo!!! Not Possible! Not Possible! - Comcast commentator after the shot by Mo Peterson.