So you think you're tough because you swim a mile or two in the lap pool while everyone else hangs on the wall after a couple laps? Check out Friday's Wall Street Journal article about the Olympic's newest swimming event (to be held this year for the first time), the 10K swim - that's about six and half miles for you 'mercans. The event is going to be held in flat, fresh water in the rowing venue.
It sure would be cool if they built a canal into the Olympic Stadium where the swimmers finish in front of the world! I can always dream.
Even though the Beijing Olympic Stadium does not have a canal, there are over 14,000 seats and room for 10,000 standing-room-only fans at the Olympic rowing basin where the open water swimmers will race 4 loops in the 2.5K course. If the event is sold out, I am sure none of the open water swimmers have ever swum in front of nearly 25,000 fans before.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing! That's great information. - Splash Dog
ReplyDeleteI think this is the event Natalie Du Toit qualified for. She is a paraolympic from South Africa. I used to train in the same squad with her, she would beat me at almost every event and she only has one leg. There's no wonder she is in the Olympics this year.
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