Is the Paris Olympic swimming pool slowing down swimmers?
Athletes at the Paris Olympics are discussing the "slow pool theory," which proposes that the shallower pool at La Défense Arena (2.15m deep, compared to the usual 3m) might slow swimmers down due to increased turbulence. This turbulence occurs when waves bounce off the pool's bottom and return to the surface, potentially disrupting swimmers' speed and rhythm. However, experts believe the effect is minimal and unlikely to significantly impact performance.
The theory also mentions that the shallower water could affect the speed of surface waves, possibly altering swimmers' "hull velocity"—the speed at which they can "surf" their own waves. Still, this effect would apply equally to all competitors, so no one would have an unfair advantage.
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