WhatÂ’s the secret of the us swimming dominance ?

[python]

What’s the secret of the us swimming dominance ?

i’m no swimmer, don’t like beaches, don’t even follow water sports, but i can’t stop marvelling at the consistency of stunning statistics of the us swimming successes. at the just finished fina world championship in dubai, americans again wiped out the floor with everyone accumulating almost as many medals as the next 3 nations.

what’s the secret ? isn’t water available everywhere ?

 

[Polyarmour]

Maybe having a population of 310 million has something to do with it? How do you compare on a per capita basis?

 

[Tapeworm]

Because they suck at riding bikes.

 

[daviel]

Most of the country clubs and swimming clubs are in the US - just kidding. Large population where most of us like to swim, I guess.

 

[durianrider]

I think if we say the real reason then this topic will be moved to the clinic.

 

[Mr.DNA]

Higher cadence.

And what durianrider said...

I think if we say the real reason then this topic will be moved to the clinic.

 

[Martin318is]

Its like any other sport - this stuff is always cyclical. You could ask the same thing about Australian swimming before this resurgence of the US.

Just like track cycling for instance between Britain and Australia since the demise of Germany.

Or cricket and England after Australia who were after the West Indies, etc

oh, and that one other thing...

 

[usedtobefast]

curling?

 

[sublimit]

Swimming world records count for nothing because of the streamlining and boyancy effect from the swim suits used by top swimmers from the last couple of years or so. Americans are likely to be on EPO also.

The fact that a legend like Ian Thorpe doesnt hold any sort of individual world record anymore says it all.

 

[oldborn]

Appart from swimm skin, doping gossip, and 310 million population there is also few rational reasons.

Croatian 2004 Athen 50m silver medalist, and Popov record breaker in 25m pool on 100m Duje Draganja made a big step forward when join Berkeley and coach by Mike Bottom. So financial aspect is huge he said that Berkeley gonna paid 400.000$ in four years (college costs, traveling costs, equipment etc) and he shold have at least 3,00 average in grades, and commit to defend Berkeley coulors for 4 years. Sponsors will than invest in swimming etc.
By me after best infrastracture and money arround, second part are best coaches on the world. Third is 310 million population.

Dubai worlds in 25m should be focused and by peak form of swimmers. Croatians are very often good in 25m (because we train in those pools) but when worlds are in 50m pools they sucks.

But, we have only about 5000 registered swimmers for 2010 (all ages) and five world class US coaching, Croatian base swimmers, and Americans have probably 45 000 registered swimmers and 10 world class swimmers.
But guess what, Chinese are comming too.. So many coaches are going in China to train all kind of sports.

 

[Nick777]

I think if we say the real reason then this topic will be moved to the clinic.

Correct. Population + programs = results.

 

[runninboy]

i’m no swimmer, don’t like beaches, don’t even follow water sports, but i can’t stop marvelling at the consistency of stunning statistics of the us swimming successes. at the just finished fina world championship in dubai, americans again wiped out the floor with everyone accumulating almost as many medals as the next 3 nations.

what’s the secret ? isn’t water available everywhere ?

well i bet there is a nice TUE for Michael Phelps. As he is a sprinter and they made a big deal of his ADD which coincidentally allows PED's as therapy that are perfect for sprinters. Not a shock. Many of these club coaches have the kids diagnosed when they are 12 years old now.
I came from a running background. After i left the sport i was amazed how many "sick" people flourished in the sport. And always the "right" affliction for your event. Sprinters have diseases that prescribe drugs that raise your strength & speed. Distance athletes always have diseases that require drugs that enhance endurance and oxygen absorbtion.
What a coincidence!

 

[usedtobefast]

well i bet there is a nice TUE for Michael Phelps. As he is a sprinter and they made a big deal of his ADD which coincidentally allows PED's as therapy that are perfect for sprinters. Not a shock. Many of these club coaches have the kids diagnosed when they are 12 years old now.
I came from a running background. After i left the sport i was amazed how many "sick" people flourished in the sport. And always the "right" affliction for your event. Sprinters have diseases that prescribe drugs that raise your strength & speed. Distance athletes always have diseases that require drugs that enhance endurance and oxygen absorbtion.
What a coincidence!

and how Darwinian it all is. like bacteria that morph and become drug resistant.
onward and upward.

 

[Archibald]

The fact that a legend like Ian Thorpe doesnt hold any sort of individual world record anymore says it all.

agree, although, he was a genetic "freak", but still wore a full bodysuit that was supposed to give a good advantage. His whole "retirement" also suggested that something funny was going on

 

[darkcloud]

swimmers

The niece of a co-worker represented the US in a swimming event at the Beijing Olympics. She was embarrassed seeing the Chinese chicks in the locker room. Massive. So, who thinks that was from a great diet and training?

 

[Ferminal]

agree, although, he was a genetic "freak", but still wore a full bodysuit that was supposed to give a good advantage. His whole "retirement" also suggested that something funny was going on

Apparently Big Foot wants to return, the French conspiracy must have disappeared.

 

[daviel]

I guess as long as there are PEDs there is going to be doping. That's just human nature.