The Paris Olympics have been lacking in world records in swimming events, leaving athletes and officials puzzled. Only one world record has been broken so far, compared to six in Tokyo in 2021 and eight in Rio in 2018. Even the highly anticipated women’s 400m freestyle failed to surpass any personal bests from the previous world-record holders. The absence of world records has led to speculation about the cause, with some athletes blaming issues with accommodation, food, and transport, while others point to the Olympic pool itself.
The pool at La Défence Arena in Paris is shallower than the pools used in recent Olympics. It is 2.15m deep, which is deeper than the required minimum of 2m but shallower than the standard 3m used in Tokyo and Rio. The theory is that the shallower pool creates more turbulence, which can slow swimmers down. Turbulence disrupts a swimmer’s rhythm and increases water drag, reducing their speed. However, the theory has been disputed by the chief executive of the company that constructed the pool, who claims there are no technical issues.
While the waves created by swimmers at the surface of the pool may be marginally slower in a shallower pool, the effect on turbulence is likely negligible. Swimmers can take advantage of surface waves by adjusting their swimming speed to create a wave that matches their body length, allowing them to “surf” the wave and save energy. The shallower pool in Paris may slightly affect the hull velocity of swimmers, but it is unlikely to give anyone an unfair advantage.
Other possible explanations for the lack of world records include the perception of a slow pool having a larger effect than the reality and swimmers approaching the limits of human performance. Advancements in technology, nutrition, and training have improved elite performance, but breaking records becomes increasingly difficult as limits are reached. In marathon running, for example, the rate of record-breaking performances has decreased over time. Swimming, however, still has potential for record-breaking performances, with winning times in most events at Tokyo 2021 being faster than in previous Olympics.
Ultimately, the desire to push limits and break barriers is at the core of the Olympic motto, but it may take longer to achieve those breakthroughs.
