3. When was the change of technique 1
It's a advertisement of arena we often saw swimming books in Japan in 2007.
The first Asian swimmer of free style swam at 48 sec.
The Beijing 2008 Olympian of Butterfly.
The Gold medalist of the Athens 2004 Olympic Games at 800M Freestyle.
You might feel the sense of incongruity if you were a swimmer before 90's.
So It's a difference of their belly from the before 90's swimmer.
All of them have dented their belly.
Further more, you can compare the Gold medalist in1984 and 2008.
Michael Phelps in the center (2008)
Can you see?
Quite differences of their belly.
Rowdy Gaines was the super hero in all Japanese swimmers.
He developed new start, new quick turn, and then the famous touch in the Los Angeles 1984 Olympic Game. They were being said in Japan,
Gaines start (now all swimmer use his start, crouch style start)
Gaines spin turn
Gaines touch (touch with strike a victory pose)
Further more, he glassed non cushion swimming goggles, it was being said in Japan (^ ^)
Gaines Goggles
Gaines Gaines! Gaines!! Gaines!!!
At that time, almost Japanese swimmers followed his style and then bought that which were very expensive due to import.
He is a great swimmer because not only fast but also he developed some new techniques.
So,
He was great.
He was the special one.
But his stream line haven't used now.
Already old type.