It is odd that they set their own qualifying times that are faster than the Fina olympic qualifying times. I guess they don't want to send anyone who won't qualify for the semifinal?
At first it seems downright silly: The 200 free cut is 1:46.7 for Japan. If you go a 1:47 in april, you could certainly go a 1:46 low in August. And that might be enough to swim in finals, not just semifinals.
But here is how I think it works: If the 2nd (or 1st for that matter) do not make Japan's A standard, then they can send someone else who makes their A standard in a subsequent meet. Perhaps the 3rd place finisher in the 200 free goes a 1:46 next month. Japan wants that guy to swim in London over the 2nd place finisher from Trials who was a 1:47.
It is odd that they set their own qualifying times that are faster than the Fina olympic qualifying times. I guess they don't want to send anyone who won't qualify for the semifinal?
At first it seems downright silly: The 200 free cut is 1:46.7 for Japan. If you go a 1:47 in april, you could certainly go a 1:46 low in August. And that might be enough to swim in finals, not just semifinals.
But here is how I think it works: If the 2nd (or 1st for that matter) do not make Japan's A standard, then they can send someone else who makes their A standard in a subsequent meet. Perhaps the 3rd place finisher in the 200 free goes a 1:46 next month. Japan wants that guy to swim in London over the 2nd place finisher from Trials who was a 1:47.
