Tag: coaching

Coaching

Height Analysis of Rio Swimmers: Breakdown by Event

Rick Madge2 Comments

Swimming World Magazine has published my article "Height Analysis of Rio Swimming Finalists", which includes a breakdown by distance and stroke (see here). This post will provide additional information on the height range of swimmers as broken down by individual events. We expect that height is more important in some events than others, we'll look… Continue reading Height Analysis of Rio Swimmers: Breakdown by Event

Coaching

Why The Rio Doping Issue Matters

Rick Madge3 Comments

Doping has become a far too common topic every time a major sporting event comes up.  In fact, it's become so much a part of sports that almost every incredible performance is accompanied by some doubt about doping.  There will always be those who cheat, and always be those who advocate for an 'anything goes'… Continue reading Why The Rio Doping Issue Matters

A Nation’s Pride: 1976 and State-Sponsored Doping
Coaching

A Nation’s Pride: 1976 and State-Sponsored Doping

Rick Madge3 Comments

I must confess I haven't had the opportunity to watch the apparently excellent "The Last Gold" documentary about the 1976 women's US Olympic Team as they battled the overpowering but doped East German women. But having been a competitive swimmer back then, I am very familiar with the story and the emotions.  That the US… Continue reading A Nation’s Pride: 1976 and State-Sponsored Doping

Coaching

Swimming By The Numbers: How Strong is the US Olympic Team?

Rick Madge5 Comments

There's no question that the US Swimming Olympic Trials is one of the most exciting swim meets on the planet.  The depth of talent, and the fierce competition between truly world class swimmers is staggering.  Add to that the heartbreak of watching previous champions miss the team, and the sheer joy of watching new Olympians… Continue reading Swimming By The Numbers: How Strong is the US Olympic Team?

Coaching

Olympic Expectations versus Goals: How Australia, Britain and Japan Play This Game

Rick Madge1 Comment

A few years ago I wrote about the incredible difference in impact on an athlete between having an expectation, and setting a goal (see here).  Setting and working toward an achievable goal can be a powerful tool for an athlete, and often involves milestones along the way.  On the flip side,  an individual's expectations for… Continue reading Olympic Expectations versus Goals: How Australia, Britain and Japan Play This Game

Coaching

Swimming Canada’s Strange New Road Map

Rick Madge4 Comments

Swimming Canada has recently completed a review of national and international competitions, and has come up with recommendations to improve national level swimming. You can find the document here. Some of these recommendations are, in my opinion, potentially detrimental to Canadian Swimming.   Gap Analysis The basic premise is that the review identified gaps in… Continue reading Swimming Canada’s Strange New Road Map

Swimming By The Numbers: Age Analysis of Olympic Trials for 6 Countries
Coaching

Swimming By The Numbers: Age Analysis of Olympic Trials for 6 Countries

Rick Madge7 Comments

It's been a little while since I've done a Swimming By the Numbers blog post, and the recent Canadian Olympic Trials sparked an idea.  We had incredibly strong performances from the women, and NOT incredibly strong performances from the men.  A lot of theories were thrown around, one being that we are abandoning our older… Continue reading Swimming By The Numbers: Age Analysis of Olympic Trials for 6 Countries