If the new regulations are put into effect basically limiting swimmers to knee skins, what world records will last the longest?
I think the 50 free for men and 400 free for women. I could see the 50 free lasting for 25 years. The 400 free for maybe, I dont know, 50 years?!?!?
I think the swimming poobahs are addicted to world records and will change other rules to promote them.
If WR becone so scarce or even unattainable viewership will really fall off - right now swimming is big every four years - outside of the hard core fan - and this year in Rome was the exception. If that red line is closely chased, then it is exciting (this 35 WR and 41 WR at a single meet is a bit unreal). But if not - people will get off the bandwagon, and unlike baseball - the sport doesn't seem to have the viewership to support many lean years. If they are smart FINA will change somethings to promote the swimmer, minimize the impact of technology and move the sport ahead. Then again this is FINA and this may only happen when pigs fly.
I think the swimming poobahs are addicted to world records and will change other rules to promote them.
If WR becone so scarce or even unattainable viewership will really fall off - right now swimming is big every four years - outside of the hard core fan - and this year in Rome was the exception. If that red line is closely chased, then it is exciting (this 35 WR and 41 WR at a single meet is a bit unreal). But if not - people will get off the bandwagon, and unlike baseball - the sport doesn't seem to have the viewership to support many lean years. If they are smart FINA will change somethings to promote the swimmer, minimize the impact of technology and move the sport ahead. Then again this is FINA and this may only happen when pigs fly.
