There are several reasons why the International Olympic Committee and FINA decided to add the 10K open water race to the Olympics and hold the event in a rowing basin. While this may not seem optimal from a traditionalist point of view, it is a step in the right direction, I believe. These reasons include: (1) the rowing basin enables the IOC to hold an open water event in a location where grandstands are in place and tickets can be sold, (2) television coverage and the broadcast infrastructure (e.g., cameras, broadcast truck) are already in place to broadcast around the world via network TV (NBC), cable TV and online distribution channels, (3) the excitement of a large pack of swimmers competing aggressively in the final sprint, around turn buoys and in/out of feeding stations is more easily captured in a still water venue vs. out in the open ocean where anything can happen during race day, (4) a 10K swim is a competitive 2-hour race which can be nicely packaged for broadcast -- a 25K or longer swim is just too long to hold most sports fans' attention. Certainly, traditional open water navigational skills are minimized, as well as the aspects of strong currents or large waves, but these aspects are replaced by the importance and subtilty of drafting and tactical positioning throughout the race and in/out of turn buoys and feeding stations, which are skills that cyclists, cross-country skiers, auto racers and European open water swimmers appreciate, but is not necessarily apprepriated (or even respected) by the traditional American sports fan. The above is just one man's perspective (www.10Kswim.com).
There are several reasons why the International Olympic Committee and FINA decided to add the 10K open water race to the Olympics and hold the event in a rowing basin. While this may not seem optimal from a traditionalist point of view, it is a step in the right direction, I believe. These reasons include: (1) the rowing basin enables the IOC to hold an open water event in a location where grandstands are in place and tickets can be sold, (2) television coverage and the broadcast infrastructure (e.g., cameras, broadcast truck) are already in place to broadcast around the world via network TV (NBC), cable TV and online distribution channels, (3) the excitement of a large pack of swimmers competing aggressively in the final sprint, around turn buoys and in/out of feeding stations is more easily captured in a still water venue vs. out in the open ocean where anything can happen during race day, (4) a 10K swim is a competitive 2-hour race which can be nicely packaged for broadcast -- a 25K or longer swim is just too long to hold most sports fans' attention. Certainly, traditional open water navigational skills are minimized, as well as the aspects of strong currents or large waves, but these aspects are replaced by the importance and subtilty of drafting and tactical positioning throughout the race and in/out of turn buoys and feeding stations, which are skills that cyclists, cross-country skiers, auto racers and European open water swimmers appreciate, but is not necessarily apprepriated (or even respected) by the traditional American sports fan. The above is just one man's perspective (www.10Kswim.com).
