Sullivan is a talented swimmer, but coming from him these records feel like they are coming out of nowhere. He was ranked 8th in the world last year with a 22.05. In 2006, he was ranked #5 with a 22.00. In 2005, he was ranked #30 in the world with a 22.59. After dropping half a second from 2005-2006 and remaining about the same speed over the last two years, 72/100ths feels like it's coming out of a magic hat.
Same story for Sullivan's girlfriend, Stephanie Rice. In the 200 IM, she went 2:08.92 to take .80 off a drug-tainted record. Rice was ranked 4th in the world last year with a 2:11.81. In 2006, she was ranked 6th with a 2:12.90. In 2005 she was ranked #20 with 2:15.82. In the 400 IM, she went 4:31.46 to break the record by 1.43 seconds. Rice was 6th last year with 4:38.55. In 2006, she was 11th in 4:41.73. In 2005, she was 27th in 4:46.57.
It raises a lot of questions - not just about the LZR suit.
100% agree...and they are the same questions we posed about a 41 year old woman not long ago...I have no idea what is going on in our sport right now but its unprecedented. I have doubts big time that everything we are seeing is legit but until proven otherwise will sit back, raise a toast and shake my head in amazement...and also come to terms that I'm getting old because I would lose a 50m free by 3 body lengths!
Sullivan is a talented swimmer, but coming from him these records feel like they are coming out of nowhere. He was ranked 8th in the world last year with a 22.05. In 2006, he was ranked #5 with a 22.00. In 2005, he was ranked #30 in the world with a 22.59. After dropping half a second from 2005-2006 and remaining about the same speed over the last two years, 72/100ths feels like it's coming out of a magic hat.
Same story for Sullivan's girlfriend, Stephanie Rice. In the 200 IM, she went 2:08.92 to take .80 off a drug-tainted record. Rice was ranked 4th in the world last year with a 2:11.81. In 2006, she was ranked 6th with a 2:12.90. In 2005 she was ranked #20 with 2:15.82. In the 400 IM, she went 4:31.46 to break the record by 1.43 seconds. Rice was 6th last year with 4:38.55. In 2006, she was 11th in 4:41.73. In 2005, she was 27th in 4:46.57.
It raises a lot of questions - not just about the LZR suit.
100% agree...and they are the same questions we posed about a 41 year old woman not long ago...I have no idea what is going on in our sport right now but its unprecedented. I have doubts big time that everything we are seeing is legit but until proven otherwise will sit back, raise a toast and shake my head in amazement...and also come to terms that I'm getting old because I would lose a 50m free by 3 body lengths!
