With the 2016 Rio Olympic swimming events slated for 1pm (prelims) and 10pm (finals) local time, countries more severely impacted by the time differences are already making plans to best prepare their athletes for the disruptions in routine.
Earlier this month we reported how the Australian swimming team will be engaging in a “Rio Protocol Camp”, whereby key elite athletes will be engaged in waking, training, eating, sleeping and competing in a manner that assimilates the timing sequence of events for Brazil. Among the 90 elite Dolphin swimmers and coaches attending the 5-day camp in Canberra, which began today, is former 100m freestyle World Champion and 2012 Olympic silver medalist, James Magnussen.
After having undergone extensive shoulder surgery this past June, Magnussen is just now joining the Dolphins in Canberra, although his coach Mitch Falvey says “Maggie” will not be able to partake in the intra-squad competition.
Says Falvey, Magnussen “got back in the water two weeks ago and he’s up to about 1.2km of swimming (per day). He’s really making progress in the gym too. He’s up to about 10 chin-ups. He’s going really well and we are hoping by November that he will be back up to a full training schedule.” (The Australian)
In the meantime, Magnussen is keeping tabs on the competition, having watched Chinese swimmer, Ning Zetao, become the new 100m freestyle world champion in Kazan, winning the gold in a time of 47.84. Notably, Zetao’s time was slower than both the 47.63 Magnussen posted in 2011 and the 47.71 he scored in 2013 for his consecutive world titles.
“If anything, the times they swam [in the men’s 100m final in Kazan] gave him a bit of confidence and he’s excited to get back”, Falvey commented on the recent world championships racing. (The Australian)
So when will the sprint star dive back in the pool to race? Falvey estimates we’ll see Magnussen back on the blocks come the new year. Until then, the Aussie’s doctors and coaches are reportedly happy with his post-surgery progress.
I agree CAYLEY GUIMARÃES, the schedule is not in the interest of anyone, it helps nbc and that’s it. I would like to the olympics schedule be set up like london, because that worked well for viewers and athletes, and I don’t feel like watching the Olympics at midnight. (rio is only a one hour time difference from where I live so…)
Good luck to Mr. Magnussen. I wish him a fast recovery. Rio’16 awaits him and all athletes with open arms!
On a side note, I am Brazilian. And I am appalled that the swimming community is going to let this time-schedule to prevail against the athlete’s best interest.
NO swimmer is going to benefit from this craziness.
And I also don’t agree that the sport overall will benefit: swimming (along with athletics and gymnastics) is already one of the most sought-after sports.