Swimming is one of the most spectacular Olympic sports. In addition, he is very rich in medals, because now as many as 34 sets of awards are played here, equally for men and women. Including at a distance of 50 meters freestyle.
The fight for medals at a distance of 50 meters always looks unusually impressive and dramatic. The spectators support the athletes frantically. But lately, the voices of sports commentators and doctors have been heard more and more often that this distance has actually outlived its usefulness and should be excluded from the program of the Olympic Games.
The fact is that at this shortest distance, athletes have to make superhuman efforts to win. Swimmers literally fly through the water, trying to get ahead of their rivals. For example, here are the results of the top three for men in London: Frenchman Florian Manodou won with a score of 21.34 seconds, silver medalist Cullen Jones from the USA swam the distance in 21.54 seconds, and the third place Brazilian Cesar Cielo - in 21.59 seconds … Only twenty-five hundredths of a second separated the winner and the bronze medalist!
Of course, the sport of the highest achievements is inconceivable without very great physical and psychological efforts, especially when it comes to successful performance at the Olympic Games. However, there is a limit to everything. The statements are heard louder and louder that athletes and sportswomen swim literally on the brink of human capabilities at a distance of 50 meters, and such loads are very dangerous for their health. Moreover, in order not to waste those precious hundredths of a second, many of them try to hold their breath for as long as possible, which can simply lead to loss of consciousness in the pool! And this is already a situation that directly threatens not only health, but also the very life of an athlete, even if he can be quickly removed from the water and provide the necessary medical assistance.
It is up to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) whether the men's and women's 50m freestyle continues in Olympic sports, or will be dropped from the list. The future will show what decision he will make.
