No-breath 50 Free!

I was just watching the Semis and Final of the 50m Free at the World Champs in Japan in 2001 and noticed that none of the competitors seemed to be breathing at all. Is this standard practice for a 50 Free at this level? Here is the link: www.youtube.com/watch Syd Swimmers at this level are in a state of extremely good conditioning. That said... most elite swimmers can make an all out effort for 20 seconds without the need for taking a breath. The 50 free is like the showdown at the OK Corral. When the starting signal goes off...it's all or nothing. I saved this clip of Anthony Ervin...now a masters swimmer....and he too swims it without a taking breath. It's very common amongst 50 specialists. YouTube - Anthony Ervin 50 Yard Free: 19.98

I was just watching the Semis and Final of the 50m Free at the World Champs in Japan in 2001 and noticed that none of the competitors seemed to be breathing at all. Is this standard practice for a 50 Free at this level? Here is the link: www.youtube.com/watch Syd Swimmers at this level are in a state of extremely good conditioning. That said... most elite swimmers can make an all out effort for 20 seconds without the need for taking a breath. The 50 free is like the showdown at the OK Corral. When the starting signal goes off...it's all or nothing. I saved this clip of Anthony Ervin...now a masters swimmer....and he too swims it without a taking breath. It's very common amongst 50 specialists. YouTube - Anthony Ervin 50 Yard Free: 19.98