Head Games Before the First Splash
By KAREN CROUSE
Published: August 5, 2008
The rectangular space where many swimming medals will be won or lost at the Beijing Olympics has no lane lines or starting blocks. It has no water, unless the competitors bring their own.
Immediately before they race in the 50-meter pool at the Olympic aquatics arena, the Water Cube, the swimmers will be required to spend up to 30 minutes at rest in the ready room. It is like a television studio green room, except instead of hospitality, there is usually a strong whiff of hostility.
“It’s probably the most stressful moment of the Olympics,” said John Naber, a five-time medalist at the 1976 Montreal Games. “There’s no place to hide. No place to run.”
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Funny story- I used to hear stories about certain members of my college swim team who used some 'unusual' tactics to mess with the heads of the other swimmers while in the ready room. Namely, they used to pee. While siting, waiting. In the ready room. God I miss college swimming sometimes :)
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