I searched and couldn't find this posted, but I could have missed it.
Anyways, its pretty interesting because the official basically says Cavic touched first, but didn't "push" and slid, while Phelps pushed with force, etc etc. (He talks about this right at halfway through the video)
www.swimchampions.com/.../
Personally I think you have to live with however the time system works as long as it is functional. If it was functional and Cavic didn't press hard enough, its tough luck.
The only alternative is to just present a "tie" when you are within the margin of error of the equipment.
Parents
Former Member
I'm with Ande on this one. The current generation of touch pads require a specific force level to be triggered. If it's the same for everyone (i.e all the pads are operating in identical manner) then the finish requirements are the same. Since the race is decided by times derived from the pads, then it doesn't matter when someone touches the wall, it matters when they trigger the pad.
A lot of discussion has occurred around the concept that Cavic's fingers contacted the wall first. Looking at all the photos and slow speed footage, I have absolutely no trouble believing that Cavic's fingers were in contact with the wall first.
But to quote Bill Murray: It just doesn't matter!!!!
In Olympic Swimming the winner is determined by the swimmer who triggers the electronic timing system first NOT who touches the wall first.
Even my 8 yo swimmers know to drive into the touch pad hard.
Get over it, so you touched the wall first? Other than you and your coach, who really cares, you didn't finish hard so you came up .01 seconds short.
And had ANOTHER chance to prove you were faster and didn't get it done.
Let it go, just let it go.
In general I agree and I think the gist of the video was even that Cavic and his coach and everyone that saw it agreed that the final result was the legal one, even if they do think Cavic "touched" first.
That said, you can't blame fans on both sides for wanted to figure out who "really" won, especially with such focus on the number of golds Phelps won, etc. If Cavic continues to be defeated by Phelps, then the fans will get their answer, despite what the agreed "legal" result is.
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Former Member
I'm with Ande on this one. The current generation of touch pads require a specific force level to be triggered. If it's the same for everyone (i.e all the pads are operating in identical manner) then the finish requirements are the same. Since the race is decided by times derived from the pads, then it doesn't matter when someone touches the wall, it matters when they trigger the pad.
A lot of discussion has occurred around the concept that Cavic's fingers contacted the wall first. Looking at all the photos and slow speed footage, I have absolutely no trouble believing that Cavic's fingers were in contact with the wall first.
But to quote Bill Murray: It just doesn't matter!!!!
In Olympic Swimming the winner is determined by the swimmer who triggers the electronic timing system first NOT who touches the wall first.
Even my 8 yo swimmers know to drive into the touch pad hard.
Get over it, so you touched the wall first? Other than you and your coach, who really cares, you didn't finish hard so you came up .01 seconds short.
And had ANOTHER chance to prove you were faster and didn't get it done.
Let it go, just let it go.
In general I agree and I think the gist of the video was even that Cavic and his coach and everyone that saw it agreed that the final result was the legal one, even if they do think Cavic "touched" first.
That said, you can't blame fans on both sides for wanted to figure out who "really" won, especially with such focus on the number of golds Phelps won, etc. If Cavic continues to be defeated by Phelps, then the fans will get their answer, despite what the agreed "legal" result is.
