2009 Best Performers
200 METRES FREESTYLE
| # | Country | Time | Name | IPS | Meet | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  | GER | 1:44.71 | Biedermann, Paul | 1002 | GERLCJUN |
| 2 |  | CHN | 1:45.83 | Zhang, Lin | 987 | CHNLCAPR |
| 3 |  | USA | 1:46.02 | Phelps, Michael | 984 | CHARLMAY |
| 4 |  | RUS | 1:46.17 | Izotov, Danila | 982 | RUSLCAPR |
| 5 |  | ITA | 1:46.33 | Belotti, Marco | 980 | ITALCMAR |
Two new technologies are being tested at the Stockholm round of the World Cup. The tilt starting blocks from Omega that will feature at the Rome 2009 World Championships have an extra elevation towards the rear of the platform. Cameron Van der Burgh (RSA) partly credited them for his 50m breaststroke world record. "It helped me to come under 26 seconds. It feels incredible to be the first to have managed 26 seconds," he said.
Also under review in Stockholm is an underwater video footage system developed in the US that gives judges an almost instant film feedback on any part of a race that has been the focus of possible disqualification through infringement of rules.
Seven years after the fiasco of Fukuoka 2001 and all the ifs and buts that have ensued, FINA finally has a system, it seems, that will no longer allow the federation to sit on its hands when it comes to using technology in a positive way. The system is said to have tens of tiny underwater cameras monitoring every inch of races and provides a rapid feedback to the judge who demands "show me lane 6, fourth turn, heat 7". If, as is suggested by sources in Sweden, this system is as fit for purpose as it sounds, then it is time for FINA to show that it still has some vigour in its heart and mind.
High-tech suit approval that changes the nature of the whole sport - quicker than you can say 'flood of world records'; very simple video technology that could genuinely help settle disputes - seven years. Time for change.
Controversy reigned in Fukuoka when the Seiko timing system failed on numerous occasions and FINA found no provision in the rule book to allow video backup to confirm or alter results. In the case of the women's 4x200m freestyle it led to a bizarre situation in which Britain was awarded gold after Australia (because Petria Thomas jumped in the water to celebrate before Italy had finished racing in a far-flung lane) and the US (for a supposed false start that turned out to be judged not to have been a false start) were disqualified. US protests at the time led to nothing but FINA later awarded gold medals to the US team in recognition that the timing system had failed them, while leaving in place an official result that showed Britain as sole champions.
If reports coming out of Sweden, suggesting that the video back-up system is terrific, are correct, FINA should show its love for technology in a positive light: by embracing a long-overdue change that would be of benefit to the sport.
