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Michael Phelps
ChadTower:
--- Quote from: shardian on August 21, 2008, 08:16:58 am ---My contention is not that he is winning because of the pool or the suit. My contention is that the OVERALL TIMES of competitors are FASTER because of BETTER ENGINEERING.
He is breaking world records by seconds. Hell, half the field is usually swimming above WR pace.
--- End quote ---
Same here. It's not just Phelps that is benefitting from this. It is all of them.
ChadTower:
--- Quote from: pinballjim on August 21, 2008, 09:58:38 am ---But what value is a record when the circumstances change so much? Relative to your peers at that event, yes, you've won. But relative to other venues?
--- End quote ---
That's pretty much my point. We know these people are swimming faster but we don't necessarily know they are swimming better than the previous record holders.
Namco:
--- Quote from: Hemi on August 20, 2008, 08:04:32 pm ---Do you realize the small degree of changes these guys are willing to try to get some kind of an advantage. As if shaving your leg and chest hair is really going to help them out to reduce friction while swimming. It's kinda silly. ;)
--- End quote ---
In High School, even the water polo kids would not only shave, but also sandpaper their skin a bit too. The difference between a hairy swimmer and a shaved one is dramatic, I'm talking double digit percentages better.
As far as the suit, most male swimmers in the butterfly didn't use them because of the nature of the stroke.
ChadTower:
Many triathletes do it too if they aren't wearing a wetsuit. The difference is even bigger over triathlon distances.
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