Does being tall give you an advantage?

The question wasn’t about absolutes it was Does being tall give you an advantage? At the elite level it appears that the answer is YES. Looking at the USA men’s national team, only Eric Vendt (1500 Free) is under 6 feet, 5’11”, and the men’s team has an average height around 6’4”. FYI 6’4” is tall by most standards “Even if it was true, it's obnoxious to believe it makes you better..” ??? Who said anything about height making you better? Height, flexibility, strength, buoyancy, (dare I say VO2max), as well as other factors provide physical advantages and disadvantages for an athlete. Physical attributes play a part in what we can and can not do, they aren’t paramount, as some may suggest, but they are a factor. However I believe the human spirit and personal determination are also factors It is what we do with these that determines our performance. Ian Crocker – 6’5” Brendon (Lil'B) Hanson – 6’0” Cullen Jones – 6’5” Klete Keller – 6’6” Randall Bal – 6’3” Jason Lezack – 6’4” Ryan Lochte – 6’2” Michael Phelps – 6’4” Ben Wildman-Tobriner – 6’4” Darn, Geek beat me to the post.

The question wasn’t about absolutes it was Does being tall give you an advantage? At the elite level it appears that the answer is YES. Looking at the USA men’s national team, only Eric Vendt (1500 Free) is under 6 feet, 5’11”, and the men’s team has an average height around 6’4”. FYI 6’4” is tall by most standards “Even if it was true, it's obnoxious to believe it makes you better..” ??? Who said anything about height making you better? Height, flexibility, strength, buoyancy, (dare I say VO2max), as well as other factors provide physical advantages and disadvantages for an athlete. Physical attributes play a part in what we can and can not do, they aren’t paramount, as some may suggest, but they are a factor. However I believe the human spirit and personal determination are also factors It is what we do with these that determines our performance. Ian Crocker – 6’5” Brendon (Lil'B) Hanson – 6’0” Cullen Jones – 6’5” Klete Keller – 6’6” Randall Bal – 6’3” Jason Lezack – 6’4” Ryan Lochte – 6’2” Michael Phelps – 6’4” Ben Wildman-Tobriner – 6’4” Darn, Geek beat me to the post.