Yes - one more time it's about the suit:
Here is a comparison to 2004 and what it took to make top 16 (top 8 for the 400) over the first 7 events:
2004 listed first then 2008 then the approx. % drop
400 IM - 4:24.8 to 4:21.0 1.5%
100 Fly - 1:01.29 to 59.97 2%
400 Free - 3:55.0 to 3:51.4 1.6%
400 IM - 4:49.57 to 4:43.2 2.3%
100 Br - 1:04.0 to 1:02.36 2.5%
100 Bk - 1:04.12 to 1:02.31 2.6%
200 Free - 1:51.1 to 1:48.76 2.2%
Ok - to be fair, people are getting faster, but I would guess at least a 1.5% drop across the board for the suit -- that is net time !
Ok - to be fair, people are getting faster, but I would guess at least a 1.5% drop across the board for the suit -- that is net time !
What is the "normal" percentage drop between Olympic years? It would be interesting to compare the difference between 2000 and 2004, for example.
What is the "normal" percentage drop between Olympic years? It would be interesting to compare the difference between 2000 and 2004, for example.
I agree. I'd almost think that these types of drops are not unheard of...
You guys are so naive ....
There is a difference between what you believe -- or what sounds reasonable -- and what you can prove. The whole "correlation does not imply causation" thing is SOP. Science is conservative by nature.
As an aside: if I'm hearing her correctly, in her interview on Floswimming (another great one), SVDL did not seem to think the B70 was any better for her than the FSPro she wore to make OT cuts.
No probably not. But were the French and Australians fully rested earlier this year when they were crushing world records?
No, exactly my point. The suit is making people faster even when they aren't rested.
I bet they are rested, but not fully rested. Especially Michael. There is absolutely no question his big meet is the Olympics. Trials is merely a necessary stop in the road for him.
Daaave, I agree there are other possible factors at play here, but is there any reason these factors have figured in more in the past four years than they have previously? Anecodotal evidence that the latest generation of tech suits are a quantum leap over the previous suits is overwhelming, IMO.
As an aside: if I'm hearing her correctly, in her interview on Floswimming (another great one), SVDL did not seem to think the B70 was any better for her than the FSPro she wore to make OT cuts.
She thinks about that hard, ignoring the interviewer's question, and ultimately speculates that she might have swum even slower without it. She (and we) will never know.
As an aside to your aside, what a great interview--she has such great personality and enthusiasm, not to mention candor and genuineness. It was a pleasure listening to her speak. My respect for her has grown.
Based on Phelps, Lochte, and Hoff - all who wore a LZR, the drops were minor. Phelps dropped less than 1 sec in a 400. I assume Phelps's last WR was in a FS Pro at the World Championships.
These were hardly the big drops seen earlier this year - especially if you look at the 50 free.
