Reader Feedback: Decision to Move Olympic Swimming Finals to the Morning is a Mistake

PHOENIX, Arizona, October 27. YESTERDAY, it was reported that the International Olympic Committee elected to comply with an NBC-TV's request to change swimming finals to the morning during the Beijing Olympics. This move allows NBC to broadcast finals in prime time in the United States.

Here are some of the responses from our readers (please keep checking back, as we will update this list as more feedback rolls in):

Surely, when NBC bid for the rights they knew the normal format was morning heats and evening finals? Why should one broadcaster have so much influence – there are a few million other viewers in other time zones in the world. David, Australia

Very disappointed that the Olympic experience will be most difficult for swimmers going for medals straight after breakfast! Are Track and Field going the same way? We will be interested in the times achieved in finals compared to heats. The $ rules the pool. Graeme, China

It is to be expected that swimming USA would support this decision. Typically American, they think the whole world revolves around them. Just as it has with Iraq, they are now prepared to 'blow up the schedule' just so the sport can be 'showcased on prime time (USA) TV' to quote Chuck [Wielgus]. For Chuck to say we have two years notice is meaningless. How many real opportunities will our swimmers have to get used to the new format? Probably only one Long Course! Their home selection trials! 2007 Worlds will not be changed. I realize we live in a commercial world, but this decision confirms what athletes and coaches have been saying about sports administration for years. It is not about the athlete. It is about money. It is not about sport. It is about money. I can see one positive though. The sponsors and freebies who usually spend all night partying and leave thousands of seats empty every morning hopefully will turn up each morning and we will have a full house! It will be great TV if the stands are empty! What can we do about it? Will the athletes cope? They always do and save the [expletive] of the administrators. Greg, United Arab Emirates

I am very much against the IOC's decision to have morning finals. It throws out the swimmer's biorhythms for competition and will result in poorer times. Commercial gain should not be at the swimmer's expense. George, Australia

Let me see if I understand it correctly. Prelims in the morning, semifinals in the afternoon and finals the next morning. Or, prelims in the morning, semifinals in the afternoon and finals 36 hours later in the morning. That is for the 50,100 and 200 races. It is simpler with the 400 and up races. Prelim in the evening and finals the next morning, but what about the shorter races??? I am a bit confused, can you explain? Too bad the IOC had to make a decision based on commercial reasons. But, that will not make any difference. The same conditions to all. Everybody has almost two years to prepare and swim finals in the morning at national, Olympic trials, and major international competition. All the best swimmers will remain the best and all coaches will prepare them according to the new conditions.
Buky, Israel

As a coach who takes swimmers from the national to junior international level, it's a bad decision made for the wrong ($$$-driven) reasons. It also sends a strong message to swimmers based outside of North America that they matter less than the American viewers who are driving this decision – not the needs of the swimmers. I'm not sure how this will impact regional competitions such as the South Asian, South East Asian and Asian games nor competitions such as Oceania or the World Cup series in the future. On the plus side, it only reinforces the importance of being able to swim fast in the mornings and I can use the decision to highlight to my athletes the importance of being "up" in the morning. Another plus is the long lead-time (two years), so we can all get our head around the change and get our athletes prepared. Many opposed the introduction of semi-finals, but they are here to stay. Perhaps this is the next 'evolutionary' step in the sport of swimming, but I'd like to think it's not. Jaan, Singapore

This is an abomination of good sportsmanship. All other countries are able to hold Olympics and keep to the recognized schedule of evening finals. The public from other countries are being considered less worthy than those of America. I don't like the media dictating how competitions should be run. Helen, Australia

I wish to express my disapproval at the finals being conducted in the mornings of the Beijing Olympics. I feel this would be detrimental to all aspects of swimming competition particularly to the swimmer's performances. If we are to remember these Olympics by world records being broken and outstanding performances in the pool, then morning finals are not the way to go as history has proved that swimmers post better times later in the day or in the evening. Is this being done for the benefit of the athletes or for the selfish aspect of a convenient viewing time for the American public?? Janice, Australia

I'm shocked and disappointed at this anti-athlete decision. I was an evening swimmer, and many times only scrapped into finals yet went on to win and set personal bests, school records and national records. This decision will affect some athletes performing to their potential. We will not see as many world records in Beijing as we did in previous games if this set-up is allowed to continue. The swimming world on a global level should stick together on this one. So what if some commercial broadcast network cannot show events during peak hours. The games were never about that. Why is the IOC allowing this obscene showcase turn into a grotesque version of the original Games, built on everything but money. What happened to heart, blood, sweat and tears? What will happen to swimmers who have sacrificed their lives for this moment yet could lose out because some company wants more and more money? Where is the Olympic Spirit for God-sake??? This is truly an utter disgrace. I know our athletes will rise to the challenge and perform because that's how they're made. But, to me the soul is being ripped out of the Games and being sold on financial gain. Paul, Ireland

Shame! Shame! Shame! to IOC and FINA making a decision based on commercial interests and not those of the athletes or for the good of the sport. Easily see who runs the Olympics. Lyn, Australia

Actually, my feelings are mixed. That television commercial needs obviously were the deciding factor and not the athletes needs is disturbing. However, the fact that this is announced two years in advance should give swimmers worldwide, the opportunity to hopefully participate in some national or international competition with the same time frame schedule for the Olympics as part of the athletes training. This should help in keeping the "playing field level"' Mike, United States

This is so stupid. Do the IOC and NBC really think that morning finals will be as fast as evening finals? I seriously doubt it, which means they must think that a live broadcast is better than a great meet. 8 days of swimming on prime time TV is not, repeat, NOT going to magically create a nationwide desire for more swimming coverage and begin some kind of incredible journey towards swimming becoming the new NFL or something. This decision is about one thing: The IOC has sold out to NBC because NBC cannot figure out how to deal with the internet. Here's an idea for our "friends" at the Peacock: present the Games as SPORTS, not some kind of soap opera. Being able to watch the Olympics without the endless bio pieces and other non-competitive programming would do more for ratings than being able to show the finals live. I am DISGUSTED with this decision. I will watch the swimming and the rest of the Games with great enthusiasm, but I will be left to wonder how fast the meet could have been. Reed, United States

The Olympics is arguably the one time every four years that "non-swimmers" pay any attention to swimming. It benefits swimmers in all of the Western Hemisphere, Europe and Africa (not just the U.S.) when we make the most of this opportunity to increase the exposure of the sport. Alan Thompson couldn't be more wrong when he implies that this move isn't "good for the sport." We can go back to having finals in the evening at every other meet after the Olympics are over. Ruben, United States

As a huge swimming fan, I am glad to be able to see finals live. However, as a true fan, I am worried about the performance of the athletes. This changes routines that have been set, in some cases, for 15+ years. So much mental preparation goes into swimming that changing routines at the biggest meet in the world may not be the best thing. How are they (USA Swimming) going to prepare the swimmers? Are trials going to morning finals? How about nationals? When will they start this? A year before, two years or maybe they won't at all? If they do not, will it hamper OUR performance? Even the performance of the other countries swimmers may be compromised. This is supposed to be about competition, the best swimmers versus their peers. What if Ian Crocker starts the 400 free relay 50 point again? Is he tired, are the time changes bothering him? These questions will not only bother him, but it will be in everyone's head. I know that great athletes overcome obstacles, but creating one two years early is just not right. I am sure, since this decision was based on monetary values and not the values of the Olympics. Morning finals would greatly downgrade the value of the trials to their sponsors. I know money makes the world go around, but for nine days I just want pure competition. No side story, no whispers. Phelps vs. Thorpe. Hoff vs. Lenton. The best vs. the best. I understand that this is the only time the rest of America, in general, cares about swimming, but this only perpetuates our nation's reputation as obnoxious and self centered. It's not going to change, I know, but it just is not right. Sean, United States

Well, once again the Stars and Stripes are conducting the band with the big bucks. Are the Olympics run by the IOC or Uncle Sam? As our Australian swim team is a group of elite and professional athletes, we know that they will overcome this adversity and once again do Australia proud. Go Australia. Sharon, Australia

I have to agree with Alan Thompson's comment. What gets me cranky is that this was done purely for the money….not for what is good for the sport. Shelly, United States

I both agree and disagree with the decision of morning finals. I agree with the decision because I think it is great that NBC is trying to get swimming and other sports like gymnastics noticed and gain popularity and more viewers. But I think it is wrong to change it on such short notice. They should have announced it at least four years in advanced so that the meet formats can be changed and swimmers can adjust. Sam, United States

So you people are shocked that the IOC has made a decision based upon money? It's time to grow up and realize that the IOC is a business, with real expenses and income statements. Have they bent over to accomodate NBC? They sure have. NBC has paid billions of dollars to air the event. Does this benefit the American viewing public? It sure does. Are the athletes being asked to change their schedules? You bet. Remember, this IS a business and the IOC is taking care of their bottom line. Without the dollars created by the American television networks they would not have the money to continue. Don't be mad at the USA that our television networks pay so much for the rights to cover this event. Remember it is an open market and other networks from other countries have the opportunity to bid for the coverage. Some of you may say that your countries do not have the dollars it takes to win the bids. This may be true but that is not the fault of the USA or the IOC. That is no reason to bash the USA. We should all be happy that swimming has become a premium sport…one that viewers actually want to watch. Does this mean we have to make sacrifices? Sure it does, but remember people, that is life and this is the big time. Jeff, United States

I swam in the 1988 Olympics in Seoul and they did the same thing there – actually they did something worse. For the first 4 days they had prelims in the evening and then finals the next morning – after 4 days of that (or so) – they switched to the regular schedule because track and field had started. From personal experience, I can tell you this in NOT an issue at all. Nobody at the Olympics brought this up even once during the meet. Nobody lost a medal because the final was in the morning. Back then there was some initial talk (a little bit like right now – but less), but then people just went back to training. And let's face it – the vast majority of swimmers have to go all out in prelims and finals to begin with – so it does not really matter when they compete. And the elite (like Phelps) may even be better off with the morning finals — I would rather do the 100% effort (final) first in the day and leave the 98% effort (prelims) for later in the day. Erik, Germany

I, too, have mixed feelings over the decision. What time the Olympic finals begins (and whether it will be live TV or recorded) will never suit the two "superpowers" of swimming, the US and Australia, due to their geographic location. I don't know how having finals in the morning will affect the swimming, but the question comes up: will the US begin running some of the Grand Prix meets with this format as a preparation? And ultimately: Will the U.S. Olympic Trials run in this format? Ron, United States

It's very good for us Americans and the TV sponsors. Not sure it's good for anyone else on the planet, and not sure it's good for the swimmers involved. But these latter points are irrelevant, that's the American way these days. As the great philosopher Cyndi Lauper said "money changes everything." Andrew, United States

Do you Americans really understand how the world sees you when you orchestrate the abysmal decisions? You lot are the pits. Rob, Australia

Will this change the meet from an 8 day schedule to a nine day schedule? Surely this must be taken into consideration? I've heard complaints that 8 days is too long for a swim meet, now nine? Can we please start a petition or something where we can sign up in protest against this? Something that we can show NBC and the IOC, I know it won't make any difference unless we pony up a bribe (money being all that matters) but I want them to know how unpopular they are. Jason, United States

I find this decision to move the Olympic swimming finals to the morning utterly appalling. If NBC and other American broadcasters would place more emphasis on airing swimming competitions in non-Olympic years perhaps they would be mildly justified in making this request. But swimming is virtually non-existent in American sportscasting. The Pan Pacs this year didn't get aired until a week after the fact (on NBC). A true swimming fan will watch when they can. NBC should rework their broadcasting strategies to accomodate timing differences – not expect the world to change theirs. Shame on NBC and shame on the IOC for giving in to them. Heather, United States

I hate the idea. Doug, United States

First and foremost I would like to say to those out there that have made this out to be the big bad USA screwing everyone as being flat out wrong. This was a decision made by a network and an international organization, not a nation. Instead of bad mouthing one another's nation, how about on focusing on who really is to blame: The IOC. They could have said "no" and upheld the Olympic spirit. Isn't that what they are supposed to do? As a person who works in network television ad sales, I can see how this is a good business decision. As a former college swimmer, current Masters swimmer and life-long fan of the sport, I see this one as a huge mistake. And, although my livelyhood depends on decisions like the one that has been made, I would have never sacrificed the hard work and preparation that thousands of athletes world wide make for years at a time to help out a network with floundering ratings in primetime. I also echo a sentiment that was posted earlier saying this will hurt the sport of swimming. It will hurt it because the expectation for world record performances is always high and as most current and former swimmers will tell you, they usually swim faster at night. The non-swimming fan watching doesn't care about the medal, they usually care how fast they went to get there. I hope the international community will call for both IOC and FINA officials to step down and be replaced with people who will uphold and protect what the Olympics are meant to be. Esteban, United States

While I in no way condone the IOC's bureaucratic decision, I do have to stop and think a bit about what the effects really will be. About 95 percent of the 800 or so swimmers projected for the Games would have to get up and swim their best times in the morning anyway just to advance to the semis or finals. The "big guys" will still be there at the end of the day, the times may not be as fast but I doubt the end results will not change as a result of this decision. It is a great shame that the IOC has chosen to ignore the requests of the Sports Governing Body and its members worldwide. Not much of a surprise however as we are all well aware that the Olympic Games is now about not much more than greed and hypocrisy. "FINA" themselves are not much better, keep a close eye on the swimmers' caps in Melbourne and you will see what I am talking about. Time to remove the word "amateur" altogether is it not? "FIN" would surely be far more appropriate in this day and age. Look for the world records in Melbourne and not in Bejing. London is six hours ahead of Eastern Time. Should we be preparing our athletes for lunchtime finals in 2012? It would be nice to know now. Haven't heard much out of Brazil on this topic, could that be because they have been holding morning finals for some time now? Jeremy, Cayman Islands

Ideology has been bought. Democracy has been drowned in the swimming pool. Whatever happened to all those viewers in China, Japan, Australia. Here in Europe we now have to get up in the middle of the night. We could have watched in the morning. Anyway, what will happen in six years time. I guess the finals in London will be at one in the night. Athletes will only be allowed to drink Coke light and you are allowed to compete when you own a certain brand of cell phone. Sure, some swimmers have no problem to perform in the morning others in the evening. The top swimmers however are usually the last in the series, also the ones to wait for the drug tests and thus the ones last in bed. They are also first to prepare. I wouldn't recommend swimming finals after 5 or 6 hours of sleep. I do object to the influence of money on the decisions of sport. Sponsors are supposed to be supportive not decisive. Dick, The Netherlands

The decision to move finals to the morning is a shame. We should choose a format that is best for the competing athletes, not the spectators. There are scientific studies that show that the body's core temperature rises throughout the day. That is one of the reasons we see better peformances at night finals. We will be left wondering how much faster this meet could have been. John, United States

I read with great interest, the responses from around the world regarding IOC's decision to air swimming finals in the morning. I read somewhere that swimming and gymnastics will be done this way, but not the same for other sports such as track and field. While I am not thrilled with the decision to reverse the order of prelims and finals, I do agree that the elite swimmers of the world will find a way to adapt. It will be up to the individual country's swim organization to help achieve this. Money definitely plays a part in broadcasting and in general , supporting olympic sports. The "amateur" aspect of Olympics applies to some sports and not to others, e.g. basketball. The reality is that it is difficult to be totally amateur nowadays because it does "cost" to train and make a living too. Maybe NBC and IOC's move smacks of money being the only reason, however, if people want their sports to have a chance to get exposure and support, then sometimes the less popular decision may have to be made. As a Canadian swim parent living in the U.S. I know many wonderful American families who volunteer and support their kids swimming. And I know that a real swim fan would appreciate the talents and hard work of any swimmer, American or otherwise. I would ask that the rest of the world not make blanket judgments of Americans, in general, by the decision of the organizing bodies. Maybe, it would be a better example to our kids, to have a less hostile attitude and remember that the spirit of the Olympics is for friendly and respectful competition. Teresa, United States

Morning finals stink. NBC stinks. The IOC stinks. The fact that the Olympics are about anything but the spirit of competition stinks. The fact that this decision was made by Big Business stinks. It's going to rain on Halloween and that really stinks. I ran out of UltraSwim and I stink. But I can fix that. If this were just a matter of convenience, I'd say we should fight it. Sign petitions, write to government leaders, or do whatever it takes to be heard. But as we're talking about billions of dollars, I'm not holding my breath to see a change made because it is proper or honorable. Rather than rant or insult people, might as well just get in the water and take your frustrations out there. I'm going to tune in no matter what. And if you're reading this, I bet you are, too. Swim Fast! Adam, United States

I doubt that it will matter one way or another when the finals are held. With the technology and knowledge that elite coaches have at their disposal today, world class swimmers can be peaked whenever they are required to be. It is unfortunate that the IOC has succumbed to the lure of the almighty dollar and, I suspect, pressure from the U.S. organizers. Decisions like this take much away from the spirit of the games and start to align them with just another high profile sporting event run for the purpose of making money. GK, Australia

I certainly understand the arguments of folks stating that it's unfair swimming fans in North America will be able to watch swimming finals live while those in other parts of the world will be inconvenienced. For those whose main objection to morning finals, however, is that it isn't in the athletes' best interest, I offer the following food for thought. Many of the world's best swimmers will be traversing across many time zones when they travel to Beijing (at least 12 hours difference from North America and 6-7 hours from most of Europe and South Africa). When morning is night and night is morning compared to the athlete's usual routine, who's to say which schedule will be easier to accomodate to? Ryan Lochte did just fine in breaking 3 world records at the short course worlds in Shanghai this past April. He had very little time to adjust to the time zone change. The athletes will be able to adjust. J.B., United States

If NBC is so keen to showcase AMERICAN performances to its AMERICAN audience a much better solution would be to schedule every single AMERICAN team event (eg basketball, volleyball, water polo, hockey etc) in the mornings only. If NBC reckons performances won't be affected, well the AMERICAN teams can show us all how to do it. That way other teams will suffer only one match of inconvenience. Shame, shame, shame, IOC. Bernice, Hong Kong

SwimmingWorldMagazine.com wants to know our readers' thoughts on this move. Please e-mail Jason Marsteller and include your first name and location as well as permission to publish your response.

Subscribe
Notify of
guest

Welcome to our community. We invite you to join our discussion. Our community guidelines are simple: be respectful and constructive, keep on topic, and support your fellow commenters. Commenting signifies that you agree to our Terms of Use

0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
0
Would love your thoughts, please comment.x
()
x