Overheard at a conversation: “The Philippines has a chance to win Olympic medals from swimming”
While I am not a supporter of Olympics, I occasionally do patronize the competition (when there is nothing to do).
Does the Philippines have a chance on swimming? I doubt so.
Why? Because like basketball, swimming is a sport which favors height.
To give examples of the recent Olympic Gold medalists:
US Michael Phelps 1.93 meters, 6 feet 4 inches
US Ryan Lochte 1.8 m, 6’2
China’s Sun Yang 1.98 m, 6’6
China’s controversial female Ye Shiwen 1.72 m, 5’8
US Missy Franklin 1.85 m, 6’1
Reason?
From BBC Sports Academy:
Because of the standing start, taller swimmers can often cover a greater distance before they've even entered the pool, meaning less work to do once they're in. This is particularly important in sprint events.
They can also cover a greater distance per stroke, and turn and finish with an outstretched hand.
From the New York Times:
Tall swimmers also have another advantage: because swimmers are horizontal in the water, their long bodies give them an automatic edge. “It’s the difference between long canoes and short canoes,” Dr. Joyner said.
But height may not be everything as other physical traits also contributes, this would be dependent on the swimming stroke, particularly for breaststroke and butterfly and even in women's freestyle and backstroke events.
Again BBC.
Key characteristics
Whatever your stroke, there are certain characteristics that make the body better suited to swimming:
The average height of Filipinos is 5’4 for male and 4’11 for female (disabled-world.com). I doubt if Filipinos have the other stated key physical features required for swimming to compensate for the height deficiency.
Nevertheless, Filipinos have been enthralled with basketball, even if there barely has been a chance to get international awards, because basketball has long been a political sport.
As an aside, here is a trivia or a graphic detailing the trail to Michael Phelps’ record 18 medals. (Zero Hedge)
In tennis: British Andy Murray vindicates Wimbledon loss by whipping record world champ ‘aging’ Roger Federer for gold (Washington Post).
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