Copying this from another forum I frequent. I've wondered this myself, maybe someone here has the answer.
Original thread:
www.flyertalk.com/.../showthread.php
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Why isn't "swimming" a single event like "gymnastics" is?
I mean, you can get medals for the 100m butterfly, 400m relay, 200m backstroke (I don't know, I'm making those particular examples up); but the gymnasts don't get separate medals for hoops, uneven bars, floor exercise, etc.
Total: 13 races, but not feasible for a 100m runner to do well in the longest distances and vice versa. Most runners compete in no more than 2 or 3 distances because of the high degree of specialization.
Just like you don't see any 50 freestylers going after the 1500. Specializing in 3 events is quite a few for most swimmers not named Phelps.
Total: 18 races, a racer can be competitive in 10+ different distances because of the similarities in distance and technique.
I think there's more similarity in running technique. Put one leg in front of the other, jump over stuff once in a while. Now, if they added a backwards run, bear walk, and maybe a crab walk to track events, then technique might be as variable as it is in swimming.
Total: 13 races, but not feasible for a 100m runner to do well in the longest distances and vice versa. Most runners compete in no more than 2 or 3 distances because of the high degree of specialization.
Just like you don't see any 50 freestylers going after the 1500. Specializing in 3 events is quite a few for most swimmers not named Phelps.
Total: 18 races, a racer can be competitive in 10+ different distances because of the similarities in distance and technique.
I think there's more similarity in running technique. Put one leg in front of the other, jump over stuff once in a while. Now, if they added a backwards run, bear walk, and maybe a crab walk to track events, then technique might be as variable as it is in swimming.
