How do they decide who gets to swim in which lane during a swim-off? Clearly if the one breathes to the right and is on the left hand side of the other, then that swimmer will be at an advantage.
Doesn't it seem like it would make sense for a swim-off to qualify for finals if you just add the times for prelims + semis together, then whoever has the fastest add-up qualifies ?
Not really. Prelims and semis are all about making it to the next round, not about what your time is. It wouldn't be fair to penalize someone for swimming slower in prelims. They did make it through, after all.
Doesn't it seem like it would make sense for a swim-off to qualify for finals if you just add the times for prelims + semis together, then whoever has the fastest add-up qualifies ?
Not really. Prelims and semis are all about making it to the next round, not about what your time is. It wouldn't be fair to penalize someone for swimming slower in prelims. They did make it through, after all.
