Does being tall give you an advantage?

Former Member
Former Member
I was wondering if being tall gives you an advantage in swimming because alot of the olympic male swimmers today are over 6 feet. What do you guys think? :D
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  • Former Member
    Former Member
    I didn't read the other replies but this 5' 2 3/4" swimmer says, "yes!" Unfortunately, yes. Each start, each turn, a taller person has a big advantage. I believe there has not ever been a woman shorter than Janet Evans in the Olympics. She was 5'4" (an inch and a quarter taller than me.) I don't think this is coincidental that other shorter women haven't been in the Olympics. I think more than overall height, body height is very important (I have a very long torso which might be why I did well in swimming even though I am shorter) and also arm length. There are other physical traits that count a lot--lung capacity, flexibility, and muhc more all give big advantages. I had a lot of these others, just not the height.
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  • Former Member
    Former Member
    I didn't read the other replies but this 5' 2 3/4" swimmer says, "yes!" Unfortunately, yes. Each start, each turn, a taller person has a big advantage. I believe there has not ever been a woman shorter than Janet Evans in the Olympics. She was 5'4" (an inch and a quarter taller than me.) I don't think this is coincidental that other shorter women haven't been in the Olympics. I think more than overall height, body height is very important (I have a very long torso which might be why I did well in swimming even though I am shorter) and also arm length. There are other physical traits that count a lot--lung capacity, flexibility, and muhc more all give big advantages. I had a lot of these others, just not the height.
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