They Might Be Giants
If you thought those swimmers on the podium at the World Trials in Indy earlier this month looked bigger than ever, you were right. A new study out of Duke University shows that sprint swimmers and runners are getting bigger and thus faster over the past 100 years. Additionally, they’ve grown at a much faster rate than the general population – since 1900, the fastest swimmers have grown 4.5 inches in height compared to the general population’s gain of 1.9 inches.
Interestingly enough, the study was conducted by a former breaststroker for Duke.
Countdown to Rome
The FINA World Championships in Rome begin on Sunday, and of course much of the conversation leading up to the meet has centered on who is wearing what. Hopefully that will die down once the swimming gets under way. For a look at the U.S. team, click here .
In the meantime, the World Championships Open Water Competition begins tomorrow after a delay because of stormy weather in the area. The 5K women’s and men’s events are scheduled for tomorrow and the 10K events are on Wednesday.
Swimming Stalwart Passes
U.S. Paraolympic swim coach Jimi Flowers was laid to rest last Thursday in Colorado Springs after he died on July 10 in a climbing accident on Capitol Peak near Aspen. Flowers had been involved with swimming all his life first as a swimmer and then coach. He was USA Swimming’s national team director from 1989-93. He also worked at Auburn and for the United States Olympic Committee.
He was well known throughout the swimming community and his lost undoubtedly was particularly difficult for the swim family here in Colorado, where he spent much of his more recent career. For more on Flowers, click here.
Swimming Returns to Omaha
It’s official. The U.S. Olympic Team Trials for swimming are headed back to Omaha in 2012. Mark your calendars for June 25-July 2. This really is a great event, and given it’s just a road trip away, I encourage as many Colorado swimmers as possible to at least attend some of it. From firsthand experience, I can tell you it is mega exciting and way cool.
