Phelps is going down ....

Is there any chance those crazy Russians will upset the US tomorrow in the 800 Free relay ? The top 2 guys are certainly right there -- they had a blistering 400 Free relay and the Russians often come through with great relay swims (as do the Americans ...) ?

Great athletes hate to lose; why should Phelps act like it's all good when he was understandably pissed? Great athletes show great sportsmanship - it's part of being a great athlete. When did the sea change occur that says that great athletes are supposed to be asses when they lose? That certainly isn't being taught at our club.

And what would be the reasoning? I think it's from watching the swimmers that are swimming phenomenally at Worlds. Kukors and Biedermann, for example. I was thinking of Masters. The huge increase in people swimming in suits such as the B70 in the last year hasn't really changed the complexion of who's swimming fast as far as I can tell. The people setting records and winning at Nationals before are continuing to do so. I just haven't seen any previous unknowns jumping to the top.

Dennis Baker suggested something interesting on Facebook today. He said he thinks the suits actually help the swimmers with the best technique the most. This is contrary to popular opinion which has been that the suit helps swimmers with poor technique and body position more. I tend to agree. Someone posted a video of Biedermann from Beijing and also last fall when he broke the 200 Free SCM world record and it sure looked like his stroke changed fairly dramatically in 4 months. The angles are different, but it kind of looked like his body position improved significantly and as they commented in the 200 free at Worlds that it looks like he is swimming downhill (and right down the center line too). At Beijing he didn't look nearly the same to me and Biedermann's stroke at the Olympics didn't stick out as one of the better strokes in the finals. I think it seems like some swimmers get technique/body position benefits from the suits that are greater than others. I have heard many swimmers say that the larger swimmers get more benefit (Biedermann and Lin seem to fall into that category) whereas the Phelps, Lochte, Peirsol, etc. that are lean and streamlined already may have less of a benefit which explains why they are able to do well with or without the full tech suits. So, maybe the people that get the most benefit are the larger swimmers that have good technique and body position already, but just are dragged down somewhat by their size (naturally larger profile in the water). I guess the only way to find out is if FINA goes to the ban next year, but I am feeling that they are going to back track. Zhang Lin's last 50 was just shocking yesterday. Has anyone ever swam a last 50 of an 800 or 1500 within 2 seconds of what he did in his last 50? Was he just toying with Ous the first 750? Tim

I was thinking of Masters. The huge increase in people swimming in suits such as the B70 in the last year hasn't really changed the complexion of who's swimming fast as far as I can tell. The people setting records and winning at Nationals before are continuing to do so. I just haven't seen any previous unknowns jumping to the top. Good point.

if you guys keep up with the german, french or italian, i will be forced to translate for the others. however, seeing how this is my job, a fee will be incurred. lmao

Back to Phelps. What about his try at changing his crawl technique prior to the worlds. Could this be the reason for his very good but as most say his (poor???) 200 fr swim? May have been bad judgement by the coach or the swimmer? I did not like what I saw during the changing style period, it looked Helter Skelter. I thought he did OK in the 200fr, he just was not at his best that day.

Will Phelps WR in the 200 IM of 1:54.23 go down today? I say YES. But who will it be? Ryan Lochte or Lazlo Cseh? Both went low 1:55 yesterday just crusing. This should a great race today along with the 400 IM in a couple of days.

Pero, nonobstante eso, no es igual hacerlo que decirlo, por si las moscas..... ¿Verdad? Forse gli utenti della tribuna ora rispetteranno il meglio?

I cannot understand the thinking. No matter what they say it is not the swim suit that wins the race. I think Phelps just proved it. I don't think this meet has proved anything, but it strongly suggests that fast swimmers can swim extremely fast in fast suits. But we knew that, didn't we? Dennis Baker suggested something interesting on Facebook today. He said he thinks the suits actually help the swimmers with the best technique the most. This is contrary to popular opinion which has been that the suit helps swimmers with poor technique and body position more. I tend to agree.