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 !
Parents
Former Member
If you look across the globe so far this year to compare:
1) Previous Olympic Years to this one
2) Previous rates of improvement between Olympics.
... It definitely indicates that it's not just improved training, knowledge, etc. Those variables always exist. But they haven't varied to this extent in ages. The suits are having a substantial impact. Go ahead and rail against the "hype" but there is no doubt in my mind there is a big technology input at work.
If you look across the globe so far this year to compare:
1) Previous Olympic Years to this one
2) Previous rates of improvement between Olympics.
... It definitely indicates that it's not just improved training, knowledge, etc. Those variables always exist. But they haven't varied to this extent in ages. The suits are having a substantial impact. Go ahead and rail against the "hype" but there is no doubt in my mind there is a big technology input at work.
