Paul Biedermann did not use a track start this weekend in Berlin as he set two WRs. (Tobias Schwarz, Reuters)
Most swimmers tried to take advantage of the new starting blocks with sloped backs introduced at the World Cup meets last week, using their back legs to push off the elevated part to generate more power at the start.
But there were a few notable exceptions — including Germany’s Paul Biedermann and Australian Leisel Jones, both of whom set world records. While most swimmers lined up track-style with one foot mounted on the slanted back, Biedermann and Jones planted both feet as usual and cast off as they have for years.
Biedermann set world records in the 200 and 400 free; Jones got a pair in the 100 and 200 breast.
But South African Cameron van der Burgh set his world records by planting a foot on the elevated step. So did Sweden’s Therese Alshammar and American Jessica Hardy; China’s Li Jiaxing won the 200 medley using the push-off; even American Michael Phelps and the vast majority of other competitors tried to take utilize the new blocks from OMEGA.
Which brings us to our question(s) of the week:
Will the new starting blocks, which we featured Tuesday, provide a significant performance benefit? At what distances? (And are they good for the sport?)
Let us know what you think below. Here are a few photos to help you consider the issue.
Steffen Deibler (Schwarz).
Cameron van der Burgh (Schwartz).
Leisel Jones (Schwarz).
Tags: Michael Phelps
stats corner
In sports where records of achievment can be measured in distance, time, weight, height or other physical metric, the conditions of competition should remain constant to allow comparison between different generations of athletes. In swimming this would be the time recorded over a certain distance.
Technology has played a role in skewing the perceived improvement in performances. I would not limit this to the advent of new suit technology, but also the increased depths of competition pools, wave reducing sills and lane ropes. The new starting blocks are another movement towards the technological development of the sport. I see little justification for a technological advancement unless it fulfills one of the following criteria:
1. Makes an improvement to the safety of a competitor/spectator/official during competition
2. Imposes conditions that limit ways in which a competitior could circumvent rules aimed at ensuring competition conditions are fair.
3. SIGNIFICANTLY improves the viewing experience for fans whilst having minimal effect on the conditions for the competitor.
Advancements aimed at making conditions easier for competitors have in my mind no justification. Would I still have athletes running round a cinder track? yes. Would I have competitors using wooden rackets at wimbledon? No. Why? Because Tennis is not a sport whose records are based on a physically measured performance. Records here are measured on number of titles won and career longevity.
Want to KNOW that Ian Thorpe was the greatest middle distance freestyler ever, want to KNOW that Michael Phelps IS the greatest fly swimmer ever? Keep the rules of the game the same, and the records will show it.
All good points made by Matt, and I would tend to agree. FINA and the other governing swimming bodies are trying to keep this wave of swimming popularity going by allowing for more WR’s and better TV; with Rowdy Gaines screaming “HE’S GOING TO DO IT….HE’S GOING TO DO IT!!” as the swimmers come in to the finish. However, as someone who swam the 50 Free at a high level, I would be salivating about using this new block.
To answer the question in the article, there is no doubt that sprinters will see the largest performance advantage, which is why Beiderman and Jones really didn’t need to use it. Although the 100 Breast is technically a sprint for anyone in the open age group, the entry is just as important as reaction time in order to generate a really nice pullout and I would expect that a “grab start” will still used by a lot of world class breastrokers.
The sport of swimming has borrowed many training techniques from track and field. The two sports are very similar in nature as far as training goes. I’ve been thinking about a starting block that is similar to the blocks they use in track since the sport of swimming started using the track start. It makes perfect sense to have a block like this now. I only wish I would have put a patten on it years ago. I think it’s a good progression for the sport, just like better lane ropes and pool design. Maybe they will next allow the swimmers to curl their toes over the wall for a backstroke start…if you can do it on a starting block for the other three strokes, why not backstroke.
These new blocks are a way to continue time improvement without the High tech suits. Frankly, I think they are cheating. But it will end the discussion on track start versus grab start, which will never be seen again!