Subject: RE: Pool lengthMost of the more competitive universities have 50 meter pools that are 25 yards across. They typically have a moveable bulkhead to make the length of the pool anything from 15 meters to 50 meters. I should note that those universities that do have 50 meter pools typically rearrange the lane lines for general public lap swimming so that the lengths are 25 yards. Most other universities with average caliber swim teams have 25 yard pools.
I swam for the University of Georgia and so I travelled around to many pools in my lifetime and 25 yard is the most common. At the NCAA (college )level, all championship meets are held in 25 yard pools, with the exception of Olympic years. On an Olympic year, the championships are held in a 25 meter pool and typically to accommodate for the 25 meters, the championships are held at a venue with a moveable bulkhead.
As for how the athletes qualify for international events, this puts many swimmers at a disadvantage in America. Yes, most of the elite swimmers have access to a 50 meter pool to train in, but there are many that do not. Also, since the NCAA season competes in 25 yard pools, it is difficult for swimmers to train 8 months for 25 yard competitions and then focus the other 4 months (typically summer for international events ) at the 50 meter distance. |