1st Session of the 2022 SC World Champs Delayed for 15 Minutes Due to Flag Malfunction

2022 FINA SHORT COURSE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

• Tuesday, December 13 to Sunday, December 18, 2022
• Melbourne Sports and Aquatics Centre, Melbourne, Australia
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The first session of the 2022 FINA Short Course World Championships is already off to a rough start. 

According to the broadcast, the meet was delayed more than 15 minutes prior to the start of the women’s 100 backstroke prelims due to an issue with the flags. It appeared as though one of the flagpoles was bent, making it difficult for staff to attach the flags into their proper positions. 

While the flags were being fixed, the first heat of the women’s 100 back remained behind the blocks. The temperature at the time of the delay was 62 degrees Fahrenheit (17 degrees Celsius), with the meet being held at an outdoor facility.

After about 15 minutes total, the issue was resolved and the first heats of the 100 backstroke were able to start. 

At most televised competitions, pools feature removable flags that are only used during events featuring backstroke, as swimmers require the flags to determine where they are in respect to the wall. When the flags are not in use, they can be removed so that cameras have better angles to capture the races from. At some meets in big multi-purpose arenas, like the US Olympic Trials, the flags are lowered from the ceiling without posts so that the flag posts don’t interfere with cameras (or officials) even when flags are in place.