Air quality in the bubble at LC Nationals in Savannah

I have asthma and severely reduced lung capacity such that the only stroke I can do is backstroke. I did have a problem with getting enough air when I sat in the bleachers near the starting end of the pool. But, on days 2-3-4, I stayed at the other end of the pool, near the televisions, where the air was blowing out from the portable air conditioners. I was able to breathe comfortably there. I did not have a problem in competition and swam good times. I didn't think the chlorine was an issue for me. It seemed that the availability of oxygen was the issue. I would come to the meet facility again and stay by the portable air conditioners as I did on days 2, 3 and 4. Scott did an excellent job of running the meet. I especially appreciated the newsletters before the meet.

Originally posted by swimmore Scott ran a great meet and if the air was the only problem ... Isn't an air problem a pretty big problem at a swim meet? Yes the meet was run well. No criticism at all about the organization. I've never run a meet anywhere close to that size and my hat is off to the folks that do it but I go to the national meet to swim well, not to just participate in a well run meet. I would not go back.

I started this thread with a caveat that the meet organization was incredible and with absolutely no intention to say something negative in that regards. However I do agree 100% with Fritz about the importance of "good quality" air at a meet of this caliber. As a serious competitive swimmer a trained my heart out for this particular meet. Long Course Nationals is when I intend to swim my fastest times of the year. Unfortunately I had very disappointing times, even though I had had some decent times two weeks prior in an LC meet well before shave, taper, Fastkin suit and all the things we old guys do to shed a couple of tenths off our times. I fully expected to go a second or two faster at LC Nats. I felt as if I was taking half breaths during my swims. We all know what happens on the last 15 meters of any race when you have no oxygen... It is very obvious that more than just a handful of people got affected by just reading the responses. Hopefully something positive will come out of this forum. Maybe the Chatham County facility will make sure they have enough air filters or additional equipment to handle a meet of this size in the future.

Henry and my fellow swimmers; The air quality is a factor anywhere you may swim; some of us from the south may not be able to handle the air in San Diego. I have bad allergies in certain parts of the country and it is better than others. Even though that we swim and prepare for meets, the environment will affect your swim, bike, run, or any other sport. It is part of the competition to over come these factors. This happens to all calibers of athletes and does not matter where the meet is hosted, the problems with the environment will be an issue. I know that if you have an issue in regards to future meets the championship committee would like to have your information in regards to the good and bad on the hosted event. Good luck at future meets and be prepared for all aspects of the sport. Coach Steven

Almost any large 50 meter indoor swim pool can have air problems. My worst day swimming was in 97 at Tacoma LCM nationals. The first day I could hardly breath, in fact I could not even swim a full breaststroke pulldown underwater. Normally I try to do at least 4 seperate lengths underwater to open up my poor asthmatic lungs. It could have been just the difference in types of pollen in the air, combined with the heat and chlorine. In my 100 *** I went out in 29.6 and came back in a 37+, not exactly great splits. I took my asthma medicine, had a good nights sleep and felt better the next day. I swam 6 lengths underwater in warm up, had a great massage and won the 50 ***. So a lot of how well you swim is how you attack the problems around you. Most of us know swimming indoors will have heat and chlorine issues, no matter what the pool. So you have to make a choice, go inside and cheer for your team, and swim poorly. Or stay outside as much as possible and possible swim better. Also when you take your asthma medicines can make a difference. And pollen counts can make a huge difference. I am used to LA LA Land smog and pollen, if I go somewhere else they will have different trees and flowers and it may take an extra day to recover form the new pollen.

"I know that if you have an issue in regards to future meets the championship committee would like to have your information in regards to the good and bad on the hosted event. Good luck at future meets and be prepared for all aspects of the sport. Coach Steven" Well said Coach!!! This is exactly what we're trying to do here. We are trying to bring up the good and comment on the bad for future adjustments. I swim indoors under a bubble half of the year and the air quality is not great sometimes, but definitely not as bad as it was in Savannah. I will agree that we, as athletes, have to adjust to every circumstance. Plus where there is equality in competition, there is no advantage to anyone. Still, the reality is that is had a negative effect on a bunch of people.

It was probably mid morning on Saturday when one of the guys I was sitting with in the area between the two pools remarked on the quality of the air and pointed out that a door was open on the far end of the building. On further observation I saw that the doors in all four corners of the building were open, and forthwith headed for the "main office" to report that fact. The guy in controll of such things was pointed out to me and when I caught up with him through the crowd of swimmers on deck it was apparent that he was having a time going from one door to the others to close them. At stake, apparently, was not only the quality of the air, but also the fact that closed doors were part of the architectual necessity to keep the ceiling bubble from collapsing. We should also keep in mind that Scott Rabalais and his gang spent a couple of nights moving the entire Atlantic coast of Georgia just far enough west to keep Hurricane Charley from messing up our meet!

Thanks to everyone for feedback on this issue. In the two years of preparation for LC Nationals, we looked closely at every conceivable situation to determine how to best accommodate the athletes. We charted the pool climate, water temperatures and looked at restroom usage and seating, among many other facets. There have been approximately 30 major swim meets in the Aquatic Center since it opened in 1998, some of which had similar numbers as our meet. I have been there for many of them and did not recall any significant air quality problems at those meets, nor hearing of any at meets I did not attend. During our Nationals, the pools were monitored for pH and chlorine several times each day. The level on the competition pool stayed at 1.0 or just above during the meet, while the warm-up pool varied from 1.0 to 3.0, and more towards the lower end. As we became aware of the air quality situation, we did make an effort to begin opening the emergency exit doors as often as possible to allow for greater air flow. However, this was limited by the fact that when only one door is left open for more than 10 minutes, the bubble and lighting begin to noticeably sway. I do apologize for the unforeseen situation that occurred, and our county has been informed of the symptoms experienced by some of the athletes. The situation is being addressed by both the county and the company that manufactures the air systems. Outside of this issue, it has been refreshing to hear of the many positive experiences that came out of the meet. The number of favorable comments has been simply astounding. Thanks for your contribution to a very enjoyable meet!

Scott ran a great meet and if the air was the only problem that tells us much about how well the volunteers worked to assist Scott. Thank you very much. My wife was one of the swimmers that had the same response from the air. It cleared up after taking some Claritin and rest. I thought it going to bother myself but yelling "ready go" has caused the sore throat. It was well worth it and once again Thank you for a great nationals.

Being from California, I usually suffer a tiny bit at all indoor pools, I thought it was just me when I had a coughing spout in the warm down pool Saturday afternoon, but I couldn't stop so I just went and sat in the medical office (A/C'd room). The following day I strolled in (already done just to hang out and watch) and I started hacking my lungs away again. Doahhh! But I heard from the locals that the tune-up meet in June was worse. So we got the better meet! Woo-hoo!