2023 WORLD AQUATICS CHAMPIONSHIPS
- July 23 to 30, 2023
- Fukuoka, Japan
- Marine Messe Fukuoka
- LCM (50m)
- WORLD CHAMPS WATCH PARTY – DAILY
- Meet Central
- SwimSwam Preview Index
- Entry Book
- Live Results (Omega)
- Day 1 Prelims Live Recap | Day 1 Finals Live Recap
- Day 2 Prelims Live Recap | Day 2 Finals Live Recap
- Day 3 Prelims Live Recap | Day 3 Finals Live Recap
- Day 4 Prelims Live Recap | Day 4 Finals Live Recap
- Day 5 Prelims Live Recap | Day 5 Finals Live Recap
- Day 6 Prelims Live Recap | Day 6 Finals Live Recap
- Day 7 Prelims Live Recap | Day 7 Finals Live Recap
On the 7th consecutive day of high-level racing at the 2023 World Championships, we may have just had the most exciting session yet. Why was that?
We saw four 50-meter events back-to-back-to-back-to-back, all of which were historic in their own way. Two of them saw world records fall (Sjostrom in the 50 free and Ruta Meilutyte in the 50 breast), one was Swedish Superstar Sarah Sjostrom‘s 5th world title in a row in the event, and one saw a nearly retired sprinter (Cam McEvoy) top the podium for the first time. It was fast, it was easy to watch, and it was entertaining. We need more sessions of swimming like this.
We got a lot of it in the International Swimming League but not so much in the Olympic program. In 202(1) they added new Olympic events, including the men’s 800 free, women’s 1500 free, and mixed 400 medley relay. I think this was missed opportunity to add the 50s of stroke (fly, back, breast), which have been around in international competition far longer than the 400 mixed medley.
Let’s keep swimmers in the sport longer , the 50 M events are a great way to achieve this.
Really dumb idea. Olympic swimming needs fewer events so, not more, and it surely doesn’t need summer league events.
What they should add is Finswimming. 50m in 13 seconds. Fast and fun to watch.
Great. It’ll be just like the stoner skiing events they’ve added in recent year for skiers who couldn’t hack it in the real events. Let’s now give medal to everyone….
My hot take.
Adding the men’s 800 was the wrong direction for equity. They should have just moved the women up to the 1500 and had the same number of events. The only reason we have the 800 at all is because we were already contesting it for women which was originally based on stupidity anyway.
Mixed relays are fun but they don’t belong in the Olympics.
If you have the 50 free, there is zero logical reason to exclude the 50s of stroke. (The 50 free took a break for a while, too – it’s only been in consistently since 88).
Semis in the 200s are dumb.
Completely disagree. The stretch between the 400 and 1500 is huge, In my book, the 800 is a great addition. I’m not sure I’m onboard with the 50’s in stroke events for the Olympics. But I agree with you on the mixed relays. They are invented events like synchronized diving. X-Games kind of stuff. But I think they fit well in the ISL format though.
What exactly is an invented event? Clearly all the others came about naturally. (David Attenborough voice) “And here we have something remarkable. To advertise their aquatic ability, these ancient homids are lined up for a 400 individual medley”
Yes to the stroke 50s at the olympics.
It’s really illogical- and biased- to have the 50 free and not the other strokes.
I’d propose cutting ALL semis. What’s the point of them anyway? Just heats and finals. Time saving and might enable some of the more versatile swimmers to swim more events.
Cut the mixed free relay (swimming is already freestyle- heavy) . Should really cut mixed medley but it’s interesting to see selections/ tactics and it’s exciting to watch.
Agree about too many swims with semis… they weren’tthere previously.and don’treally.do much to sort the field most of the time… disagree about cutting mixed medley… all about interesting tactics there.
Yes to the 50s, all out sprints are fun to watch and for me there cannot be too much swimming in the Olympics. I watch the open water events and honestly if they added SCY events to the Winter Olympics I would watch that too!
1500 or 800 away from women and men. Also mixed relays can go. And bring 50s to each stroke
There are enough events. What’s lacking is a true professional circuit that pays on time, personalities that normal people care about (vs just smiling and plugging your sponsor on IG), and marketing based on more than once a four year peak.
There are enough events. Swimming is the coolest sport on earth to those that swim/swam, but more events won’t bring it to its full potential. And that’s fine. We’ll watch it.
More events make critics say too many events. And they’d be right.
OK we get it, the Olympics program is long.
The solution is easy – add the 50s, remove the 200s.
Easy peasy.
I like where your head’s at, but you’re thinking too small. Cut breaststroke while you’re at it.
Add an actual potato sack race and I’m in.
Lame suggestion.