Rant Alert: I’d like to start with a reminder: this is a matter of principle. The world is not going to end because these rules are being broken. However: hypocrisy, fairness, etc. Now that we’ve got that out of the way, moving on then…
As I’m sure many have noticed, there is something… odd.. about the London Aquatic Center. No, the fans can’t see each other across the building, but that’s not quite it. No, you’re not crazy, the lanes are numbered backwards.
It so happens that this is a violation of rules for not only pools setup for the Olympics and World Championships, but also for any sanctioned FINA meet. Rule FR 2.8 makes it quite obvious:
FR 2.8 Numbering
Each starting block must be distinctly numbered on all four sides, clearly visible. Lane number 0 shall be on the right-hand side when facing the course from the starting end with exception of 50m events, which may start from the opposite end. Touch panels may be numbered on the top part.
And in case the London organizers thought they were special:
FR 1.1 FINA Olympic Standard Pools. All World Championships (except the Masters World Championships) and Olympic Games must be held in pools that comply with Rules FR 3, FR 6, FR 8, and FR 11.
And finally, to tie the two together:
FR 3.10 Numbering: as in FR 2.8.
That seems painfully easy doesn’t it? How hard would it have been to relabel the lanes? Or just uninstall and rotate the blocks? Every age group meet I’ve ever been to has managed to get this one right. Come on guys.
Oh, one more thing. If you’ve been watching prelims, you may have noticed that big bright blue pace clock beside the pool:
SW 10.16 No pace-making shall be permitted, nor may any device be used or plan adopted which has that effect.
This has been long interpreted to mean that all clocks that are not official and are visible to the swimmer must be switched off. Straightforward, again.
The only two meets I’ve ever seen that have the lane numbering backwards are these Olympics and World Short Course Champs in Manchester 2008
If they cared so much about the view on a television screen, you’d think they would have positioned the cameras so that they cannot be obscured by fans/flags in the stands. Fans waving flags have consistently obscured the view of the pool during coverage for the past two nights.
They also drive on the opposite side of the road from most countries. Let the British have their little bass-ackwardness. The fact that they speak English is one of the few things Brits have in common with Americans. Even then, I’d challenge y’all to have a conversation.
Your post is non-sensical. First you cite section 2.8, then you cite 1.1, which states “Olympic Games must be held in pools that comply with Rules FR 3, FR 6, FR 8, and FR 11.” It doesn’t say that Olympic games must be held in pools that comply with Rule FR 2. Logic Fail. In Law, we call this “failure to state a claim”.
I indeed failed to state: the rule for numbering in FR 3 is the same as in FR 2… “FR 3.10 Numbering: as in FR 2.8.”
Guess what… in 13 years of swimming (and 11 or 12 since) I never noticed that lanes would be numbered the same way. It’s a non-issue and I can’t believe there’s even a rule governing it. If technical/space issues for TV coverage of the pool require a different order than give them a different order. I’m pretty sure swimmers can find the right lane, even when it’s on the other end than usual. Not that hard.
Pace making – I could use it in long distance events (if I had contacts in) but in everything shorter than 400 I’m too focused on other things. Again something that’s largely irrelevant.
The no cords thing is silly. This is very easily fixable. I’m sure they have enough people working the venue that they could have a meet marshal to check the cords before they are used just like they have someone to check for the FINA logo on the suits.
It’s very easy to tell the older cords from the new ones with the safety line inside. You can see the safety line attached to the anchor rope. And they have been making the cords with safety rope in them for quite a long time now, at least since 2005 (that’s when we bought our first ones with them inside).
Just show your cord to the marshal before you… Read more »
It is simply for TV, so that they can show Lane 1 at the top of the screen reading down to Lane 8 at the bottom. Apparently the viewing public find it confusing to look at a screen numbered the other way round.
So they could have just put the TV cameras on the opposite side of the pool and everything would have been fine!
Why is anyone surprised that FINA wouldn’t follow their own rules. They don’t for anything else.