It can go both ways I suppose. The men's 400 free OT cut has actually gotten SLOWER since I swam in 1992. It was 3:58.6 (give or take a tenth) back then. What's up with that.....it's 20-years later!
The meet has been getting less exclusive over time. Here are some examples on the number of competitors at each OT meet:
Men's 100 fly
1992 - 32
2004 - 51
2008 - 106
2012 - 110+ (est.)
Men's 200 fly
1992 - 20
2004 - 41
2008 - 84
2012 - 110+ (est.)
Men's 400 free
1992 - 28
2004 - 27
2008 - 70
2012 - 100+ (est.)
I've assumed this to be the case for years, since most of the current cuts are slower than 2004 cuts (and as you pointed out even earlier in some cases). I never looked at actual numbers until now.
Membership numbers in the prior year leading up to OTs:
1991 - 165,622
2003 - 235,013
2007 - 251,547
2010 - 286,900 (most recent full year)
Especially in the last 8 years, the number of qualifiers has increased much more than the membership growth. But that will happen when you make cuts slower even though suit technology and training methods are continuously improving. With most events having over 100 swimmers, I have to imagine cuts will be faster in 2016.
It can go both ways I suppose. The men's 400 free OT cut has actually gotten SLOWER since I swam in 1992. It was 3:58.6 (give or take a tenth) back then. What's up with that.....it's 20-years later!
The meet has been getting less exclusive over time. Here are some examples on the number of competitors at each OT meet:
Men's 100 fly
1992 - 32
2004 - 51
2008 - 106
2012 - 110+ (est.)
Men's 200 fly
1992 - 20
2004 - 41
2008 - 84
2012 - 110+ (est.)
Men's 400 free
1992 - 28
2004 - 27
2008 - 70
2012 - 100+ (est.)
I've assumed this to be the case for years, since most of the current cuts are slower than 2004 cuts (and as you pointed out even earlier in some cases). I never looked at actual numbers until now.
Membership numbers in the prior year leading up to OTs:
1991 - 165,622
2003 - 235,013
2007 - 251,547
2010 - 286,900 (most recent full year)
Especially in the last 8 years, the number of qualifiers has increased much more than the membership growth. But that will happen when you make cuts slower even though suit technology and training methods are continuously improving. With most events having over 100 swimmers, I have to imagine cuts will be faster in 2016.
