[Adama]

rgreen4 said:

There was an extensive discussion on Fox News last night about Phelps and the Speedo Razr swim suit and all the records that have been broken. Apparently the suit has no seams, so it reduced drag. Phelps physique is a key to his swimming prowess. His arms are longer than normal for someone his height, indicating a height of 6' 7", but he is in fact only 6' 4". His legs are a little shorter than normal for someone his height. I have a younger friend (his father is a long term friend of mine) whos physique is like that. Father is 6' 2 and son is 5' 10", yet when they sit side by side they are the same height.

Next, Phelps shoe size is 14, and his ankles are double jointed so he has the ability to use his feet sort of like flippers.

I think steroids would work against a swimmer not in favor. After all, the bulking up effect that is a hallmark of it's use, would increase the drag in water and slow the individual down.

I agree. I think steroids would work against Phelps and all swimmers in general. Daria (forgot her last name) for example, she exercises a lot and even does Pilates to stay fit and in excellent shape, and she has a good winning record too. I gold and I silver from this Olympics.

[KellieCM]

I hate root beer. Blech! But I'll take my float with Pepsi.

We have a joke in our house that Michael Phelps is my wife's brother (as in.. hey honey, your brother is about to swim) because they have the same last name. No known relation, though. It's a pretty common last name.

Yes, the bulk from steroids would present a problem in the pool because it would increase drag. You'll notice that all the swimmers are tall and thin. Also, I read somewhere (can't remember where, now) that Michael had several blood samples taken and stored, and agreed to any testing that is available now or would be developed in the future to put to bed any rumors of doping.

The LZR suits do have seams (a zipper up the back, for example) but they are specially welded seams that don't create as much friction as traditional suits. While this helps them be faster, all of the Olympic swimmers had access to these suits. Also, Michael Phelps only wore the LZR for some of his races, not all. The pool itself also helps the swimmers go faster, and it's the fastest pool in the world. The pool is deeper, which helps the turbulence dissipate. Also, most olympic pools have 8 lanes, but this one has 10, leaving the outside lanes empty. This helps keep the water calmer and dissipate.

There are some other great points in this Mental Floss article 6 Reasons Today's Olympic Swimmers are Breaking So Many World Records

Dara Torres, who is 41 (and totally amazing) won two silver medals at these games.

(ok, I think I'm all caught up now!)

[Adama]

Great comment, Kellie.

Dara Torres! that's her last name... She won 2 silver medals? I thought she had won 1 gold and 1 silver.

[KellieCM]

Nope. She did win 3 silvers, though. She got the silver in the 4x100 free, the 50 free, and the 4x100 medley. At least, according to wikipedia.

[Adama]

Hi MPH,
Did you watch the Men's race yesterday? That guy, Bolt, from Jamaica won!

He was wearing these golden shoes, and before one of the races started they showed a close-up of the shoes. Pretty nifty looking shoes. He had 200m inscribed in them! And dang it if he didn't go and win the race!

!http://forums.pcworld.com/legacyimages/
1!

He was fast and graceful like a gazelle, and it looked like he was just glidin' across the track. He was amazing!



Here's another picture of his shoes, when he was getting ready to bolt!
Message was edited by: Adama

[KellieCM]

I can't get into the running. Maybe I just like swimming because I used to be a competitive swimmer when I was a teenager. Or because I'd only run if someone was chasing me with a big knife.

[mphenterprises]

Hi Adama. Yes, I saw it. I am a sprinter for life so I make sure to keep up on all things Track & Field. If I am not mistaken, the 200meter race was just the semi-finals. The finals are either tonight or tomorrow night.

Hi Kellie. I know what you mean but I am the opposite. I ran track in college and high school and cannot get enough of it. However, I have noticed that the main two competitions broadcasted by NBC is Gymnastics and Swimming.

[Adama]

>

kellie said:

I can't get into the running. Maybe I just like swimming because I used to be a competitive swimmer when I was a teenager.

LOL I wonder if you'd be there at the Olympics too, if you had stayed with swimming.

> {quote:title=...... }{quote}Or because I'd only run if someone was chasing me with a big knife.
[/quote]


I hear that! :^0

[Adama]

You into Track & Field, MPH? That's really cool.

I know what you mean about Swimming and Gymnastics... it seems that America likes those two sports more than others, equally great sports.

[mphenterprises]

Hi Adama. Well, it looks like a Jamaican is the next big thing in track. :D Bolt completely walked away from the field and broke the World Record in the 200m that was held by Michael Johnson. He ran a 19.30 and I think the closest runner ran 19.5 or 19.6. I was trying to find some video about it on youtube but they all got pulled.

[rgreen4]

There was a news blurb this morning criticizing the way he crossed the finish line. Apparently he slowed, looked back and held his arms out to the crowd and stepped across the finish line. Pulling a NFL wide receiver stunt. I sure you have seen them when the break into the open and get about a 5 yard lead on the nearest defender. While it is acceptable in professional sports, in "amature" sports it is not supposed to be done.

Then think also what his time would have been like had he kept full speed to the finish line.

Here is the link.

[mphenterprises]

There is one thing that both my high school and college track coaches told me......run through the line. I believe he worked hard in the 200 meter race but showboated in the 100 meter race. He coasted with like 15 meters left. His time would have been 9.5 or lower if he would have ran through the line.

[lilxkid24]

damn usa is getting owned in gold medals by china lol.

[KellieCM]

{quote:title=Adama wrote:}
LOL I wonder if you'd be there at the Olympics too, if you had stayed with swimming.{quote}

Doubtful. I was ok, but not great. I don't have a good body for swimming. But I did enjoy it.

[Adama]

Hi RGreen,

Thanks for the link to that story. I was watching the Olympics when he won so I know what they were talking about, and I agree with the President of the Olympics Committee - Completely!

I know that he's still a young guy, but there's no excuse for being disrespectful towards the other competing athletes. At the beginning when he first did this, it was kind of cute, but then it became too flamboyant and disrespectful towards everyone else who had worked equally hard to be there.

There are a couple of other athletes - famous for tennis playing - whose names I won't mention, who I dislike tremendously because of those same qualities: flamboyancy and total lack of respect.

I have seen the Beach Volleyball Olympians, the Gymnasts (and other athletes there) shake hands with their opponents, whether they win or lose, as well as with the referees/people in charge. Now, that's admirable sportsmanship.

Whether you have a good education, or a hard upbringing, or are from another country, there's no need for disrespect of any kind, towards any other human being, at all - ever.

Maybe the IOC would include in their rules and regulations next time, that competing athletes must show respect for others, after they cross the finish line.

[Adama]

I was reading a really interesting article about the way the Beijing Aquatic Olympic Center - The Water Cube - was built, and I decided to start a thread about it.


Here's the link forums.pcworld.com/message/138215#138215|m-138215 Feel free to come and visit me there.

Come on dooowwwnnn!

[Knifeblade]

Yeah, I can certainly understand his pride and joy in winning, yet it seems he started a bit of the in-your-face attitude. Maybe that flies better in pro sports, but I agree, the Olympics sets other ideals than the pro's do.

Of course, I am referring to the BIG THREE, Baseball, Football, Basketball. Football moreso than the other two sports. IMO.

I have always been a proponent of sportsmanship in any competitive endeavor. I always follow the tack that win or lose when I play my sports, I always offer a "good game" and handshake to the loser, Or do the same to the winner. I f they take it, cool, if they don't, well>>>>>>pphhttt, :D. I guess my point, which I follow Adama with, is that I do my best to be gracious, whether I win or lose.

[AuroraDizon]

http://alanbecker.de...mation-34244097



This flash animation is very funny if anyone is bored.

[Adama]

Knifeblade said:

I have always been a proponent of sportsmanship in any competitive endeavor. I always follow the tack that win or lose when I play my sports, I always offer a "good game" and handshake to the loser, Or do the same to the winner. I f they take it, cool, if they don't, well>>>>>>pphhttt, :D. I guess my point, which I follow Adama with, is that I do my best to be gracious, whether I win or lose.

Yeah, that's the way to do it, KB. Being gracious about it, whether you win or lose, is the highest form of sportsmanship.

[Adama]

!http://forums.pcworld.com/legacyimages/
1! AURORA! THIS IS THE FUNNIEST THING I HAVE EVER SEEN! :x



I sent it to my friends and fam too.