Cliff notes for fans of Olympic swimming
Many events, and a lot of production and televised commentary. Compelling HD images underwater, overhead, and tracking alongside the pool parallel to the swimmers. [not hard to remember when the TV was one or two fixed cameras with none of the new technology.]
Part of the streaming subscription [$12.99 for a month] allowed both four screen viewing of live events and an archived library of each and every race – something I intend to use heavily.
This sounds a bit daunting if you merely see these races as repetitive events and two dimensional. With no humility at all, let me save you the trouble of sorting through the mass of information, with some simple frameworks for analysis.
1} The sport has changed dramatically. Not only are there no bright eyed bushy tailed rookies, but even the seventeen-year-olds have been grinding at a professional level for quite a while. They are also supported, if not accompanied, by and team of coaches and advisors across the main components of the sport:
Training and health regime—on dry land and nutrition.
Strength across their particular body types, although most are similar.
Stroke and aerodynamic techniques, particularly new developments
Psychological fortitude, particularly for racing; but training as well.
Developing and perfecting a competitive advantage, if they have one.
2) A clear majority of elite swimmers cluster into centers of excellence, so they appear similar. It is beginning to look like Florida for developing tennis players. The acquatic elite centers are in Florida, Georgia, Tennesee, Arizona, and generally around USC. These are not just American elite swimmers, but decidedly international. So the core programs cover training and nutritional foundations rather thoroughly if not exhaustively; and since there appeared few physical outlyers [ think Phelp’s shoe size] the real competition if not differentiation emerges in the last three areas. As spectators we have to wait for the eventual articles to appear on where psychological counseling was used in these Olympics, but there are two areas we can observe. [techniques and competitive advantages]
3) One obvious change in the sport, and fascinating development, is the intense rivalry in underwaters. The first fifteen meters for most racers not doing breastroke, have become a determining factor both positive and negative, and the high-definition underwater coverage gave us a great window to observe how everyone seemed to approach the task differently.
The competitors were at different depths and different length and frequency, and as they emerged for the first stroke clear winners and losers appeared. Not always clear what the ‘best’ technique was, but the gains and losses showed in the pool. Mostly the winners had longest and best dolphins, but the were some who went too long underwater. I await a more technical analysis, but in my opinion watching the underwaters was really exciting.
[see the article in Nautilus Is This New Swim Stroke the Fastest Yet? - Nautilus]
4) Monsters remained dominant from their elite positions across all five pieces of the swimmers’ elements. Ledecky, Marchand, Finke, Titmus etc have clearly superior training as a platform to outshine the competition. Part of their portfolio has to be the psychological preparation no doubt built from success over time. They are not distracted by the global stage, and they can change pace in the middle of the races, or swim five swims in a single day. Hats off to them, because the Olympics is a grind, and I enjoyed watching.
What is the next generation to do? Actually, they are already doing it. Every coach has added a fifth ‘stroke’ to the development of young swimmers using the torso as a propellant in the water. The acquatic centers, and the parents who drive kids to 6AM workouts have been emulating these approaches for a while.
I do not know if new or better techniques will emerge, but I am certain that the psychological component will remain critical at both an individual and team level. The kids have some good role models on this Olympic team. The main challenge for the new generation will be to convince their elders to retire.
Respectfully submitted
Cliff
