- 12 Aug 08, 02:29 PM
Water Cube, Beijing
After the excitement in the pool on Magic Monday, we were hoping that British swimmers could keep the momentum going and provide us with more swims to cheer about.
Whilst there were no medals to add to the collection, there was still plenty for us to smile about - and three more world records.
I've got some theories on why so many are tumbling, which I'll come onto in a bit.
But first a bit more on today. The highlight for me was the 100m backstroke final, which saw Natalie Coughlin, the 2004 Olympic Champion, retain her title and relegate the world-record holder Kirsty Coventry into silver.
An emotional Coughlin collected her medal with her lip still bleeding where she had bitten it during the race to distract her from the pain she was feeling in her legs.
Whilst I had felt that Britain's Gemma Spofforth had an outside chance of a medal in this event, she herself had other ideas...
She touched in 4th place in a British, Commonwealth, and European record time of 59.38, just four 100ths of a second behind Margaret Hoelzer of the USA.
Gemma wasn't just disappointed to have missed the bronze medal, she was disappointed not to have won the race. She had wanted the gold medal and had hoped to go under 59 seconds, which would have been enough to win.
Despite the American accent the Sussex-born 20-year-old has acquired since moving to Florida to train, it was refreshing to hear a British swimmer talk openly about setting a goal to win and that the records and personal-best time she set were not enough to satisfy her.
With an attitude like this, I have no doubt that this is only the start for Gemma.
After six sessions of racing, we have already witnessed an extraordinary 10 world records. Is it all to do with the new suits, is it the pool, or is it something else?
Well, it's a combination.
The swimwear changes in technology have certainly had a huge impact on the sport this year and the Water Cube definitely boasts a pool to rival any other in the world, with all the ingredients necessary to make it fast.
It has extra lanes outside of the eight used for racing; a depth of three metres which helps stop the waves the swimmers create bouncing back up from the bottom of the pool; and lane ropes which dissipate the waves travelling sideways.
The main reason, though, for the fast times is that unlike a lot of sports swimmers train to perform at their peak only once or twice a year.
On the track, athletes compete at a high level throughout the season and generally run
fastest when they don't have rounds to go through.
In field and jumping events, the athletes rely on conditions and favour warmer climates and no wind.
In the pool, however, it's all about getting it right at one meet, maybe two if they have to go through a selection trials. So records set outside of the major championships are more of a surprise.
The swimmers work with their coach to fine tune their preparation so that they can peak on a specific day, the day of their main race. It is slightly different for Michael Phelps, though. He has an eight-event window to work to!
As a former 200m freestyler, I've been particularly looking forward to this event at these Games, and Caitlin McClatchey kept hopes alive of another GB medal when qualifying for the final.
More importantly, though, with Caitlin breaking 1.57 for the first time in the heats the 4x200m freestyle relay has become more than just a medal chance.
USA came to Beijing as clear favourites but the GB quartet will include our Olympic medallists Rebecca Adlington and Jo Jackson as well as Caitlin.
The fight for 4th spot will be interesting.
The coaches may decide to rest two or three of the girls in the heats and allow the likes of Mel Marshall, Hannah Miley and Francesca Halsall to swim off for the final spot.
Ellen Gandy and Julia Beckett may also fancy their chances and so a swim-off after the session would not be a surprise. The teams are allowed to use the pool to do this after the official racing is over. The times also count as official, too.
One thing is for sure... when a gold medal is at stake for these girls, the battle will be fierce.
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Comments
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2 comments about the swimming
1. MEDLEY
how about swimmers being allowed to swim the strokes in any order they want
- for example one might finish with the breast stroke and another with butterfly
-- much more fun and unpredictable to watch, and allowing for more use of tactica by the swimmers!
2. DOPING: Blood Testing
Well known Aussie swimmer Ian Thorpe was in favour of blood testing.
This seems a lot more sensible, not only being more accurate in terms of analysis,
but quicker for the athletes, and no charades of hidden samples shoved into bottles.
The only point against is it could be counted as more invasive, but given that they are sports performers in major championships, where they and everyone else presumably wish to see clean games, this is surely not a big issue:
if an individual had serious grounds against it then urine sample might be accepted, but most would presumably want to be seen to cooperate.
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i reckon the pool's a couple of feet short...
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Its interesting that swimming records continue to improve at all distances as each Olympics goes by (some more than others) whereas in Athletics times remain fairly static,often for very long periods.I therefore suggest that the equipment and pools must play a substantial part and that it cannot be just down to improving training methods and these play a far bigger part than shoes and tracks in Athletics.Either that or drugs are endemic in swimming......or the pool is 2 feet short! lol :)
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I think that its improvements in technology and attention to technological attention that makes me look forward to the swimming at every Olympics. Records tumbling and great races throughout. I love all of the races but not a lot of sporting events beat the excitement of a close swimming relay final.
Great sport, and as world and national records fall due to improvements made then that adds more to the occasions.
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The main reason, though, for the fast times is that unlike a lot of sports swimmers train to perform at their peak only once or twice a year.
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What an odd statement to make.
For one thing the peaking once/twice a year thing explains nothing baout why so many record fall year on year.
Personally I think it has more to do with just how technical a sport swimming is. With massive advancements in technology, not just in the pool but in terms of training, video analysis of strokes, motion detection and underwater-aerodynamics. It is a much mroe scientific sport than it ever was before.
Athletics doesn't compare because it is by and large still a pure strength sport so year on year increases are less likely.
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Haven't the techniques on starts and turns made a difference too? Phelps has set new standards with the depth he goes to and the number of fly kicks, but in breaststroke, for example, I don't think they used to be allowed fly kicks on turns whereas now they are.
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"Gemma wasn't just disappointed to have missed the bronze medal, she was disappointed not to have won the race."
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How refreshing is it to see those words about a British competitor?
Tom Daley has really got it made. He's made it clear from the very beginning when he was selected for the Olympics that he was going there "for the experience". Tom's publicity advisor has got the right idea...Tom can't let the country down. If he fails in his Olympic bid, it's okay because he was only there "for the experience". If, however, he manages to get a medal, he becomes the nation's darling, as the little 14 year old, who only went to the Olympics for the experience, but came away with a medal. The nation's already on his side; Blake Aldridge makes a spur of the moment comment suggesting that nerves got the better of Tom...and Blake becomes public enemy number one.
But, I'm sorry, but I agree with Blake Aldridge. Where has the competitive edge gone from our nation? Have we just become so accustomed to losing, that we teach our children to prepare for it over anything else?
Competitive sport has been phased out in our schools, because it was emotionally damaging to the children that lost. Now, there are not allowed to be winners and losers at sports days. At 25 years old, I don't expect to be reminiscing about the old days, but what is wrong with encouraging a competitive nature? Rather than pussy-footing around the children who don't achieve, why can't the teachers do their jobs properly, and find out what these children are good at? Everybody is good at something, and it's just a matter of finding out what, and encouraging it.
As an ex-competitive swimmer, I know the heartache of losing a race or competition. I was never going to be the best swimmer in the world, and certainly lost more races than I won...but each time I lost, it made me more hungry to go out and win the next time. And when I did win, those multiple losses just made the occasional swim that little bit sweeter.
I'm not emotionally scarred or damaged because I lost races. At school I was terrible at team games...but it never upset me because I knew what I was good at. And my family, teachers and coaches encouraged my strengths. Yes, I am now a very competitive person, always striving to make an impact in my workplace and win in team competitions. It's terrible, isn't it?!
As a swimming teacher, I am no longer allowed to 'teach' a child to swim. The Amatuer Swimming Association (ASA) have published a new teaching plan, which has been brought in line with the national curriculum for children. We are now told to teach children through games and play, which in theory is great...for the under 5s. But not for 10-14 year olds, the age at which most children give up sport. I'm sorry, but I am loathe to patronise a young adult in the way that the new plan encourages us to. And I dread to think what the parents, paying £60-odd for a course of swimming lessons, think when they see their 14 year old child playing 'What's the Time, Mr Shark?".
At the age of 7, I'd joined my first competitive swimming club. I was competing in club time-trials at the age of 8, and competing in galas from the age of 9. My two clubs had an excellent team spirit. At galas, every person in our team who wasn't swimming in the current race, shouted themselves hoarse cheering eachother on. Winners were congratulated, losers were commiserated. But we all went out to win, both for ourselves and for the team.
WHAT IS WRONG WITH THAT? What is wrong with a competitive edge and team spirit?
Nowadays, the ASA National Teaching Plan tells us to teach the 'FUNdamentals' of swimming until late childhood. Then we can teach swim skills. This is followed, at adolescence, to 'train to train' (ie beginning to introduce fitness and technical training - the teaching guide clearly states to not focus on competition). At early adult, we can start to train to compete. However, it's not until adulthood that we're allowed to train to win!
Based on that guidance, which is the same curriculum for all sports in the UK, Tom Daley shouldn't even be thinking about competing yet. I should only have started to think about winning a couple of years ago - heaven forbid what they'd have made of me competing at the age of 8. And I dread to think what may happen in a war, if our younger soldiers are being taught to go out, not to win, but for the experience!
The British Olympic committee have said that they've entered a young team in the Olympics this year, to give them the experience, so we're ready for 2012. But is that not disencouraging the competitors this time around?
Let's bring back the competitive spirit to our schools and our children. Let's teach them the feeling of self-pride and achievement when they win. Let them experience the heartache of loss, teach them how to overcome it, becoming stronger people emotionally, and let them taste the hunger and determination to beat the competition next time. EVERYONE has their strengths - play to them, rather than wrapping weaknesses up in cotton wool. Perhaps then, the next 14 year old boy wonder, representing GB in the Olympics, won't lose his nerve.
I somehow doubt that Michael Phelps has ever been told to "just go out there for the experience".
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#7 - what an excellent post, totally agree.
Although my parents are English I spent part of my childhood in South Africa. Let's just say the approach to winning/competing was very different, more in line with Australia or the US I'd guess.
Competitive sport was encouraged from a young age. I showed some aptitude for swimming when I started school (admittedly easier in a country where swimming pools are more common), and was soon training in a 50m pool (in our small town), coached by an ex-SA swimmer. Even those who had no aptitude for swimming enjoyed it and took part.
Those who weren't much good at rugby, for example (not the easiest against teams of huge Afrikaners!), just tried other sports like squash, hockey, waterpolo, golf - ultimately most people found something they were either reasonably good at or enjoyed.
When I moved back to the UK I was shocked by the attitude to sport here. Even where facilities are scarce, as in central London, the preference for silly games where noone loses surely doesn't make the best use of what facilities there are.
As johnlennonlives implies, life consists of winning and losing. Why have to learn that in your 20s? Why not give our feral teenagers something else to focus on rather than finding competitive outlets in consumerism, gangs and knives?
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johnlennonlives,
I agree with some of the sentiment in your post, there is nothing wrong with a little competition when growing up, you learn just as much from defeats as you do from victories. However, to blame teachers seems a little harsh. In the nanny state that we live in where schools are hyper-sensitive over causing any kind of emotional harm and parents can be just as bad, the teachers are restricted in what they can and cant do. It seems a bit pointless blaming them, it is the system that fails.
However, there is a line to be drawn, I dont think that overly pushy parents forcing their kids to 'compete' (to fullfill their own failed dreams) is necessary a healthy experience either. I'm a little worried about the mental state of these kids that are developed from the age of 2 to compete in a certain sport. How much choice have they had in their career path? Therefore the desire to compete has to originate with the kids, but should certainly be encouraged at schools more, I agree.
With regards to your comments on Tom Daley and in general team GB I would have to disagree. There is nothing wrong with sending someone to the olympics to gain experience and improve. Daley was never going to win a medal in the diving (despite the press build up) but as there was no one better it was surely better to send him than no one at all. Lots of people go to the olympics knowing in their heart of hearts they are not going to win a medal. It is not that they dont want to win, it is simply being realistic. These people should definitely make the most of their Olympic experience and enjoy it. That is not to say of course that they should try their hardest in their events.
I dont think there is anything wrong with the competitive nature of the GB team at these Olympics. The real answer to why we dont win more medals is that we dont produce the talent. Again there might be plenty of faults in the youth sport development system in the UK but I wouldnt criticize many of the current athletes on the team. I think Natalie Cook showed plenty of competative desire the other day.
As for Tom Daley, you think he's got it made? I wouldn't want to be under the kind of pressure he will experience at London in 2012.
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* Apologies. I of course meant Nicole Cooke not Natalie..
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FWIW Michael Phelps went to the Sydney 2000 Olympics as a 15 year old. As his best result was fifth - ie like Tom Daley he got to the final - it's highly probable that he went for the experience.
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Karen you hit the nail on the head when you said "it was refreshing to hear a British swimmer talk openly about setting a goal to win...", although as previous posts adhered to, you could quite easily substitute "swimmer" for "athlete"! It's so frustrating to see British athletes roll out the "I'm just glad to be here" line time and time again. Whether they mean it or not, it is a dismal attitude to have when you are supposedly at, or near to, the pinnacle of your sport.
Full respect to Gemma Spofforth for wearing her heart on her sleeve like that - win or lose, that's the attitude you want to see in top athletes.
Another great example was Rebecca Adlington in her interview with Sharon Davies immediately after winning gold - the first thing she said was that she was a little disappointed with her time! Pure class from the girl, and indicative of a great attitude which would have played a significant part in her journey to eventual triumph.
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Not trying to downplay Michael Phelp's achievements, but are there just too many golds on offer in the pool? Perhaps track athletes should ask for 4x200m relays, backwards running, hurdle relays etc.
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Too many medals in swimming? How about the amount given out for wrestling and weightlifting and boxing?
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#14 - totally agree in terms of the total available (which favours countries strong in those sports), but I think the difference is that Phelps can actually have a go at 8 medals. With boxing, weightlifting etc you can't compete at more than 1 weight. And if you're a 100m runner you get one shot.
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@ questionable1:
I don't think you are being entirely fair to johnlennonlives, I was about to post a comment on here when i read his, and he basically wrote everything I was going to. The point I believe ytou are missing is that he is not, I don't think, blaming the teachers. When anyone posts a comment about educational standards or underachieving kids, there are always reprisals expressing outrage that people could attack poor, hard working teachers. This is not hte case at all. I think anyone who is paying attention knows that the teachers don't set the curriculum, and it is the fault of bodies like the ASA (in this case) and edexel in schools whoa re at fault for the death of competition in the UK.
and no. I don't think the word death is an understatement.
@ ciderstouffer
athletics meetings outside of the olympics are based around a variety of disciplines, sometimes just track events, sometimes with field events included. However, swimming galas are just that, there are a wide variety of events because there are is far more room for variation in swiimming than running. and until someone invents a new way to run (see the story of how butterfly was first introduced into the swimming mainstream) there will always be fewer track events than pool events.
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Backdrafting: Thank you (although I'm female!). I was very careful throughout my piece to not apportion blame to any one person or group of people in particular - just the ethics.
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