SwimSwam Pulse is a recurring feature tracking and analyzing the results of our periodic A3 Performance Polls. You can cast your vote in our newest poll on the SwimSwam homepage, about halfway down the page on the right side, or you can find the poll embedded at the bottom of this post.
Our most recent poll asked SwimSwam readers to weigh in on the high-profile podium protests at 2019 Worlds:
RESULTS
Question: Should athletes use the podium as a venue for protests, like Mack Horton did?
- Yes – 57.3%
- No – 28.3%
- Not sure – 14.4%
More than half of SwimSwam voters supported using the podium as a venue for protests. That’s not surprising, as the general tilt of the comment section appeared very much in favor of Mack Horton and Duncan Scott in their podium protests of Sun Yang.
The Australian Horton refused to stand on the podium next to Sun after Sun beat Horton for gold in the 400 free. Later on, when Sun took gold in the 200 free, Great Britain’s Duncan Scott did not shake his hand, leading the Chinese Sun to have a verbal outburst on the podium and as the medalists walked away.
The poll was more general: it was about the concept of using the podium as a place to protest or make statements. Some commenters expressed disagreement with the gesture, believing the podium to be purely celebratory, and not a place for protest or discussion. 28.3% of voters in our poll felt that way, which is a pretty significant chunk, given how unpopular Sun generally was with swimming fans all week.
Maybe more surprising is that 14.4% of voters were actually unsure of their stance. The discussion was so polarizing that it felt like everyone had chosen a side and dug in with 100% certainty as to their correctness. But almost 150 voters said they weren’t sure about the podium’s place as a venue for protests.
The other contributing factor to this poll are the specific nations involved. Both the United Kingdom and Australia were among the 3 most-represented countries in SwimSwam readership over the course of Worlds, per some of our internal analytics figures. China, which censors internet access domestically, was outside the top 20. A look at social media shows that those numbers are skewed compared to total swimming fandom populations – both Scott and Horton were forced to close comments on their Instagram pages when they were flooded with critical comments from fans supporting Sun.
Below, vote in our new A3 Performance Poll, which asks voters to pick the most impressive world record of 2019 Worlds:
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The A3 Performance Poll is courtesy of A3 Performance, a SwimSwam partner
#throwback to when I was one of them people who didn’t like the idea of podium protests…I just didn’t understand if something’s wrong you have to speak out and change it 2020 is showing us that
SORE LOSER !
A 200bk record was not so unexpected–but before the meet it did not look like Regan would do it.
Milak got my vote, but it wasn’t easy. I’m partial to Phelps and his WR dominance in the event since 2001. But Smith’s 200 bk maybe my favorite race because she so surprised to break the WR. I loved her reaction and it was such an amazing swim. Tough call between the two.
I think the protest didnt go far enough. They should have gotten an interpreter and engaged Sun in a little argument and express to him why his behaviour was wrong. It didnt have to be in front of the camera either. Maybe the other 6 finalists could have chimed in with their opinions also. I mean if all his peers told him he was an a-hole maybe he would listen.
I totally vote Milak since that was the least expected world record to fall. He had so much speed. It was a super-suited record that few people have gotten close to. Remember the “Which super-suited records can be broken?” series? He said that he didn’t expect the record to fall this summer or the next. It’s definitely the most expected one.
Personally, I think the 100 back was the least expected record to fall this meet. Dressel, Peaty, and Chupkov were all obvious candidates to break theirs. I remember more discussion about Milak breaking the record than Regan Smith leading up to the meet, but even if you had considered them equal candidates for the 200s, I would have never thought Regan would break the 100 at this meet until she went 2:03.
Much more pressure from athletes and public to Fina. To enforce Mandatory non partial sentencing for all Drug using athletes.. They hammered Phelps and Lochte..but let Chinese swimmers Slide..
Milak’s WR was the most impressive, but we all know Smith will win this poll. Peaty will be under-appreciated because we’ve come to expect his greatness.