gary p wrote:
ericmulk wrote:
Ya, it is incredible that the 500 record has not gone down any more than it has in the past 22 full years. Dolan's 3.23.1995 record of 4:08.75 is only 0.33 sec slower than Clark's 4:08.42 on 3.23.2017. IOW, an entire swimming generation has come and gone yet the 500 record has only been improved by 0.066 sec/100. This is just amazing to me.
ETA: Looking at the analogous meters races since 1995-ish, the 400 SCM record went down from 3:35.01 in 1998 to 3:32.25 in 2012 (current WR). The 400 LCM record went down from 3:43.80 in 1994 to 3:40.07 in 2009 (current WR). The 500 is over-due for a big 2-3 sec drop. :)
Well, all but .01 seconds of that 3.73 second drop you mention in the LC 400 was courtesy another "generational talent," Ian Thorpe. The last .01 was courtesy of Biedermann and his "super suit." I'm pretty sure Thorpe's 3:40.08 is the only unofficial "textile suit record" on the men's side that pre-dates the Super Suit era. Ignoring Biedermann's one off, rubber-aided performance, the 400M LC hasn't progressed in 15 years.
Ah, great point you've made, I had not really thought of it that way. Truly Thorpe, Ledecky, and Phelps are "once in a generation" swimmers. In my mind the question now is why do we only see this generational talent only in the mid-D and D events??? Why are there no generational talents in the sprint events??? I think it is due to the predominant emphasis on sprinting in the sport, with 2 sprint relays at the Oly and 4 at the NCAAs. IOW, most people who stick with the sport are good at sprinting and only a few have good sprinting abilities plus distance talent. If swimming had 4 x 400, 4 x 800, and a "distance medley" (track has this relay with 1200/400/800/1600 m legs) relays, plus 3000 and 5000 meter pool events, then things might be different. Prob most people would get bored watching these long events. :)
"Anyone can be who they want to be IF they have the HUNGER and the DRIVE."