Please excuse me if this has been posted before.
It seems that in order to be a National/World class sprinter, you have to be 6ft 3 or better. It would appear that taller is better. Popov was 6' 7", Hall 6'5", Lezak 6'5', Cullen Jones 6' 5", Sabir Mahammed 6'6". our own Smith crew 6'?, An oldy but a goody Robert Peel 6'6 etc, etc. From my TV, it looked as though Phelps was the shortest guy on the WR 400 free relay at 6' 4"
Knowing this, in the future, should shorter, young, potential world class sprinters be redirected to middle distance or other strokes? Do short guys/gals even stand a chance anymore?
It would seem that basketball players would make the best sprinters. They have the height, the strength and the vertical leap down pat.
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Originally posted by Paul Smith
George.....sorry to disagree.....but this distance is hands down the single most challenging in our sport.
Sure, anyone can swim it as you describe......but not "fast". The elite athletes at this distance have the rare combination of strength (mental as much as physical) and absolutely flawless technique.
Just wondered have you ever tried to swim across Lake Ontario where the water starts out at 70 degrees and drops to 48 degrees halfway there and a storm breaks out. The wind comes up and blows you 12 miles off course. And no wet suit to keep you warm. It is more challenging then a 50 free. I still think it is a dive, a few dolphin kicks,and a few strokes. Sure some are faster than others, challenging, I don,t think so.
Originally posted by Paul Smith
George.....sorry to disagree.....but this distance is hands down the single most challenging in our sport.
Sure, anyone can swim it as you describe......but not "fast". The elite athletes at this distance have the rare combination of strength (mental as much as physical) and absolutely flawless technique.
Just wondered have you ever tried to swim across Lake Ontario where the water starts out at 70 degrees and drops to 48 degrees halfway there and a storm breaks out. The wind comes up and blows you 12 miles off course. And no wet suit to keep you warm. It is more challenging then a 50 free. I still think it is a dive, a few dolphin kicks,and a few strokes. Sure some are faster than others, challenging, I don,t think so.
