Did Olympic pool current hurt our chances in Rio?

AUSTRALIA did not reach its potential in the pool in Rio but were they impacted by a current that favoured one side of the pool?

The Campbell sisters were disappointed by their results in Rio.

AUSTRALIA did not reach its potential in the pool in Rio but were they impacted by a current that favoured one side of the pool?

Three researchers from Indiana University believe that a current assisted those competitors that competed in the higher number lanes of the Olympic pool.

A report from the Wall Street Journal said the researchers from the University’s Counsilman Center for the Science of Swimming were horrified that competitors in the higher numbered lanes were more likely to progress to a final.

The Campbell sisters were disappointed by their results in Rio.

As evidence they pointed to the fact that of the eight swimmers to emerge from the 50m freestyle semi finals into the finals, all but one swam in lanes four to eight. Incredibly, swimmers who progressed to a later heat or final from lanes five to eight and then had to swim in lanes one to four produced slower times.

Of the six medallists from the men’s and women’s 50m freestyle, five swam in lanes four to eight, with gold medallist Anthony Ervin the exception, swimming from lane three.

“It’s a big deal. This is horrific,” said Joel Stager, one of three scientists who had previously published proof that a current influenced athletes in the 2013 world championships.

Officials at FINA, swimming’s world governing body, said they would review the analysis. .

Read the full story at Wall Street Journal.

Originally published as Did Olympic pool current hurt our chances in Rio?