I submit that swimming is one of the worst sports in terms of following fad techniques simply because someone has been successful using that technique.
I submit that talent or genetics, aerobic capacity, workout intensity as well as mental toughness play a far greater roll than mere stroke technique in the end.
Seems like the US latches on to the winner's stroke techniques all too often as the way explain success and teach kids. Front quadrant swimming like Ian Thorpe..... head down sprinting like Popoff..... these guys would be successful in their events with or without these techniques in my opinion.
Except for the latest cheating techniques...... i.e. flip turns on backstroke, underwater dolphin kick on backstroke, head under on breastroke, full body suits, and the soon to be dolphin kick on breastroke pull outs, the sport has not improved a whole lot in the last 25 years.... especially when you compare it to 25 years previous to 1980..... (1955)
Thought for the day...... :-)
John Smith
Mr Goodsmith:
I just have one correction in your point 2, otherwise I agree with what your saying. In 1980, there were actually 2 people that went under 50 seconds in the 100 Meter Free. Jim Montgomery went :49.99 at the 1976 Olympics in Montreal and then a month later in Philidelphia in August of 1976, Jony Skinner went :49.44 and held that record until Rowdy Gains did the :49.36 swimming next to you in the time trial in Austin. The next guy to break his record was Matt Biondi doing a time of :48.75 sometime in 1985. By the way, what was your time time swimming against Rowdy? If you don't remember that's fine or maybe is just none of my business.
Mr Goodsmith:
I just have one correction in your point 2, otherwise I agree with what your saying. In 1980, there were actually 2 people that went under 50 seconds in the 100 Meter Free. Jim Montgomery went :49.99 at the 1976 Olympics in Montreal and then a month later in Philidelphia in August of 1976, Jony Skinner went :49.44 and held that record until Rowdy Gains did the :49.36 swimming next to you in the time trial in Austin. The next guy to break his record was Matt Biondi doing a time of :48.75 sometime in 1985. By the way, what was your time time swimming against Rowdy? If you don't remember that's fine or maybe is just none of my business.
