I've often wondered why swimming doesn't have the equivalent of the decathlon in Track & Field. i.e 10 events swum over a 2 day period with points assigned to each performance. (For the women it's 7 events, but that's another story.)
If we were to construct such a decathlon, which events should be included and in what order? Note that these are all finals - no heats. (Unlike, track, I think that the women should swim the same 10 events as well.) Also, should we use only the pool swimming events, or should we include diving, open water swimming and, *shudder* synchronized swimming?
-LBJ
For the past three years (but not this year), Richport held a pentathlon. The meet order was 50, 100, and 200 of each stroke (fly, then back, then ***, then free), with 100/200/400 IMs at the end. No relays. You were allowed to sign up for any five events, but were encouraged to try one of the pentathlons:
sprint: 50's + 100 IM
middle: 100's + 200 IM
long: 200's + 400 IM
This was a December (early season) meet, so anyone who finished a pentathlon got a printed certificate (no "points per event").
... On a different note, maybe a swimming decathlon would include pulling with paddles, kicking with fins, kickboard toss across the pool (well away from the spectators), and an underwater (no breathe) swim. (The last would have to be a fixed distance for time. Otherwise, with the competitive nature of some people, a "maximum distance underwater swim" would have the lifeguards dregging up passed-out swimmers, non-stop. :) )
For the past three years (but not this year), Richport held a pentathlon. The meet order was 50, 100, and 200 of each stroke (fly, then back, then ***, then free), with 100/200/400 IMs at the end. No relays. You were allowed to sign up for any five events, but were encouraged to try one of the pentathlons:
sprint: 50's + 100 IM
middle: 100's + 200 IM
long: 200's + 400 IM
This was a December (early season) meet, so anyone who finished a pentathlon got a printed certificate (no "points per event").
... On a different note, maybe a swimming decathlon would include pulling with paddles, kicking with fins, kickboard toss across the pool (well away from the spectators), and an underwater (no breathe) swim. (The last would have to be a fixed distance for time. Otherwise, with the competitive nature of some people, a "maximum distance underwater swim" would have the lifeguards dregging up passed-out swimmers, non-stop. :) )
