SPECIFIC STRATEGY FOR THE MEDALLISTS VERSUS FINALISTS AND SEM-FINALISTS IN THE WOMEN'S 200 M FREESTYLE AT THE SYDNEY OLYMPIC GAMES

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The performances of the women's 200 m freestyle at the Sydney Olympic games (final and semi-final) were studied using 12 video cameras. The four 50 m velocities, stroke frequency, stroke length, and turn velocities were calculated using a specific competition analysis computer program. The medallists swam faster than the non-medallist finalists only in the first 50 m. There was no other statistical difference for the start or turns velocities. For the 16 swimmers, the 200 m freestyle velocity was mainly related to the velocity of the third 50 m lap (r = 0.83; p<0.01), and to the fourth 50 m lap velocity (r = 0.79; p<0.01). From the stroke frequency and stroke length perspective, three different technique strategies were observed. However, they were not related to the final result.