Does being tall give you an advantage?

I wish I could find it again but an old article about cycling said the cyclists with the very highest VO2 capability were smaller than average. I suppose a physiological reason - such as the heart doesn't have to pump blood as far - exists to explain this. Gymnasts in general are small because it is easier to make a smaller, lighter, body spin and tumble. Race car drivers are not huge because that extra weight and height is a disadvantage for power to weight ratio and to fit in some very small cockpits. Etc.... There will always be exceptions to these kinds of things - but I think it is clear height is an advantage for swimmers if not a sure-fire predictor of performance. I'm 5'8 and I know I've beaten a fair number of people taller than me. I've also been beaten by many older and fatter than me. Damn.....

I wish I could find it again but an old article about cycling said the cyclists with the very highest VO2 capability were smaller than average. I suppose a physiological reason - such as the heart doesn't have to pump blood as far - exists to explain this. Gymnasts in general are small because it is easier to make a smaller, lighter, body spin and tumble. Race car drivers are not huge because that extra weight and height is a disadvantage for power to weight ratio and to fit in some very small cockpits. Etc.... There will always be exceptions to these kinds of things - but I think it is clear height is an advantage for swimmers if not a sure-fire predictor of performance. I'm 5'8 and I know I've beaten a fair number of people taller than me. I've also been beaten by many older and fatter than me. Damn.....