Kitajima World Record

I race for the rack daily. Isn't that why plastic surgery is so popular?! You have to admit, if they called it that participation would probably double. Are you drinking more than normal these days? When I hit my ATF, I had a lovely man-rack. Unlike Smith, less is not more for me, unless you mean less swimming, more boobage.

QS, This statement really interests me, as it could cut 0.4 seconds off a 50 SCY if it's true. Where did you read this? Has anyone else seen it? I ran across it in an article a long tome ago. Actually, it was an estimate given by a very irate Aaron Piersol...who was all fired up about seeing the kick, and no one said anything. sports.espn.go.com/.../story From what I've seen at recent meets, the kick indeed gives a micro-burst of propulsion. 2/10ths?..hmmm? That estimation might make sense given that the 200 meter record fell by a full second. (or was it the suit? ) chuqui.typepad.com/.../kitajimas-dolph.html

I ran across it in an article a long tome ago. Actually, it was an estimate given by a very irate Aaron Piersol...who was all fired up about seeing the kick, and no one said anything. sports.espn.go.com/.../story Thanks for sharing the article. Hansen's quote sums this whole discussion up: "It would be a big deal for an official to come out and to disqualify somebody," Hansen said. "I can only account for my actions and I know exactly what I did in my race. Everything else, I hope the officials who are sitting right next to me will take care of that. "They are not there to have a front row seat and watch the Olympic Games," he added. "They're there to take care of the rules. I believe that's what they do." All of you can talk of cheating. Like it or not, he got away with it. Kitajima won the gold medal because the officials didn't do their job. Not to mention, Hansen swam SLOWER than he had at trials. He admits his rookie mistake of not swimming his own race. Beijing should be interesting to see if he learned what not to do from Athens.

I agree, although I'm sure some would be offended. I don't think we'll be seeing the "Susan G. Komen Race for Rack Cancer" anytime soon, either. I race for the rack daily. Isn't that why plastic surgery is so popular?! You have to admit, if they called it that participation would probably double.

TJ: why are you so certain that he did it on purpose? For it to be cheating, wouldn't he have to attempt to cover up the infraction (some form of deception or trickery)? I am comfortable with "he should have been DQ'd," but completely uncomfortable with the moral judgement. I'm sure he just did those dolphin kicks by accident. lol. Yeah right. And Roger Clemens doesn't use steroids either.

And that ball cancer remark was hilarious! I agree, although I'm sure some would be offended. I don't think we'll be seeing the "Susan G. Komen Race for Rack Cancer" anytime soon, either.

One of the great things about sport is the human aspect of it, and thus this discussion. There are no facts in human judging, just interpretations. We have the luxury of spending 4 years micro analyzing some VHS tape, a judge has maybe 1 second, at best. People get all crazed and have some moral indignation and start spewing sales meetings slogans about integrity. It's just sports, for goodness sakes. It's fun and games and, it makes the next round between these two even more exciting, although I doubt it could ever live up to the hype. Many of the greatest moments in sports have occurred precisely because of the human element, not because some nerd was crouching behind the replay camera for 4 years afterwards.

As a matter of fact I do understand that....that is why I put the cheating directly on Kitajima....character is not only what YOU do when people are watching but also what YOU do when you hope they aren't. TJ: why are you so certain that he did it on purpose? For it to be cheating, wouldn't he have to attempt to cover up the infraction (some form of deception or trickery)? I am comfortable with "he should have been DQ'd," but completely uncomfortable with the moral judgement.

It's been said that a pulse from a quick dolphin kick on a breaststroke pullout might offer as much as 2/10 ths of a second. That's the difference between 1st and 2nd in many races. It's likely that there will be cameras focused on every turn this summer. Whether or not instant replay ever gets used by FINA officials is another story.

QS, This statement really interests me, as it could cut 0.4 seconds off a 50 SCY if it's true. Where did you read this? Has anyone else seen it? I don't have much of an SDK to use, but was planning on focusing/working on it this upcoming year. I'd sure like to think it would be worth this much improvement. It's been said that a pulse from a quick dolphin kick on a breaststroke pullout might offer as much as 2/10 ths of a second. That's the difference between 1st and 2nd in many races. It's likely that there will be cameras focused on every turn this summer. Whether or not instant replay ever gets used by FINA officials is another story.