elmomle 2 days ago

Or more simply (and with fewer alterations to how swimming competitions work today), just have a couple of unused lanes on the outside of the pool.

  • trillic a day ago

    This already happens in SCM and SCY competitions as many short course pools are just the short side of a long course pool.

  • necovek a day ago

    To avoid turbulence, you'd have to skip lanes (or make them very wide) and allow enough space between the pool side walls and outermost lanes, right?

  • rpearl a day ago

    this is what is done in most major competitions already

onlypassingthru 2 days ago

Seeing the other competitors right next to you is often a factor in how hard one pushes themselves in a race, no matter the species.

  • jack_pp 2 days ago

    Fewer records, fairer competition. I'd make that tradeoff

    • necovek a day ago

      Is it fair if we get the objectively fastest swimmers to go slower so competition is closer?

      Note that the advantaged swimmers in middle lanes are really objectively faster: they earn their spot through year long competitions and in-event qualifications. Sure, they will be an odd case or two.

      See https://www.quora.com/How-are-the-lane-assignments-chosen-in...

    • scott_w a day ago

      But spectators won’t, and we are what fund sport, ultimately.

      • hnlmorg a day ago

        Spectators don’t seem to mind it in rally race car driving, downhill skiing, bobsledding, and other timed events where multiple competitors cannot share the track.

        Spectators also don’t seem to mind for diving, gymnastics, figure skating, equestrian and other events which are points defined and competitors are also performing sequentially.

    • monkeywork 17 hours ago

      You'd make that trade off? Do you swim competively or how many events do you watch per year?

      I mean I'd make the tradeoff that there be no forward passes in the NFL but I'm not a follower of that sport so I'd likely not put that opinion out there because frankly I don't care.

Y_Y 2 days ago

Or a cylindrical geometry, so there is symmetry between lanes.

  • sebastiennight a day ago

    I vote in favor of this idea and will even contribute $5 towards building the necessary O'Neill cylinder.

    Now we only need to get Elon on board to fund the rest.