In the freestyle relay(s), the top 6 goes to the Olympics.
Yet, all the other events it is only the top 2.
That should change. Every athlete that makes the qualifying time should go to the Olympics. Look at the men's 100 back, the top 6 at the 2008 US trials swam faster than the 1992 Olympic Gold Medalist. Surely the 5th swimmer could have a better performance in the "big" pool.
Sending only 2 in each event "waters" down the potential performances at the Olympics, ultimately making the semi-finals less competitive. (other phrases could be used) The bottom line is, the top 16 at the Olympics should represent the fastest in the world.
SwimStud,
I'd like to see less emphasis on country and more emphasis on fast swimming. Isn't that what the Olympics is about? The best of the best! I would like to actually see less flag waving. How about just the fastest runners, rowers, cyclists, best weight lifters, fencers, equestrians, softball players etc. Other countries dominate the "lesser" sports. Let's celebrate sport as opposed to country. So what if the US gets 1-2-3 in the 100 back, the Bulgarians will do the same in weight lifting.........good for them.
I know..............it will never happen.
So this is adjuticated HOW? How do you determine the fastest X unless they all compete at the same time, in the same place under the same conditions. Jeez, what a nightmare. The Olympics are _supposed_ to be about all the countries in the world (um, 5 rings, 5 continents?) getting together and competing in athletic endeavors. If you want to see the best in the world, there's the World Cup, etc...
This is the best that each country has to offer and if the USA's 10th best is better than Upper Slobovia's 2nd best, that doesn't make a hill of beans difference under the Olympic goal. While it may not be 'fair' to USA's 3rd thru 10th place swimmers, it sure as heck isn't 'fair' to Upper Slobovia's 2nd best swimmer to finish a minimum of 12th. There has to be some sort of common standard to prevent 'inequality' as difficult as that may be to prevent.
While I think it should go back to top-3 from each country, I think more than that creates too much 'inequality'
SwimStud,
I'd like to see less emphasis on country and more emphasis on fast swimming. Isn't that what the Olympics is about? The best of the best! I would like to actually see less flag waving. How about just the fastest runners, rowers, cyclists, best weight lifters, fencers, equestrians, softball players etc. Other countries dominate the "lesser" sports. Let's celebrate sport as opposed to country. So what if the US gets 1-2-3 in the 100 back, the Bulgarians will do the same in weight lifting.........good for them.
I know..............it will never happen.
So this is adjuticated HOW? How do you determine the fastest X unless they all compete at the same time, in the same place under the same conditions. Jeez, what a nightmare. The Olympics are _supposed_ to be about all the countries in the world (um, 5 rings, 5 continents?) getting together and competing in athletic endeavors. If you want to see the best in the world, there's the World Cup, etc...
This is the best that each country has to offer and if the USA's 10th best is better than Upper Slobovia's 2nd best, that doesn't make a hill of beans difference under the Olympic goal. While it may not be 'fair' to USA's 3rd thru 10th place swimmers, it sure as heck isn't 'fair' to Upper Slobovia's 2nd best swimmer to finish a minimum of 12th. There has to be some sort of common standard to prevent 'inequality' as difficult as that may be to prevent.
While I think it should go back to top-3 from each country, I think more than that creates too much 'inequality'
