INTO THE DEEP END OF COVERAGE Byron MacDonald’s knowledge of swimming is extraordinary. He’s called every Olympics for the last 40 years. He explains why the depth of the pool in Paris is making it difficult for swimmers to break records.

Just makes summer mcintosh almost breaking her world record look even more impressive

MacDonald is amazing. He is literally one of my favourite parts of listening to the Olympic swim coverage. Such knowledge of every swimmer, he outlines the storylines and tactics of every race, and gives great in-race explanations. He's just great.

This is tremendous journalism! And while it’s impossible to guess as to what “might have been”, I have to think that if Summer swam her 400 IM race from the other night, at TPASC in Toronto, she would have shattered the mark!

Very recognized voice now

Unsurprising then, that we haven’t seen much in the way of record breaking. It’s been interesting that even races that have been dominated they’ve been a titch slow

This is a fascinating explanation of fast vs slow pools and what goes into that. I always wondered what a fast pool meant and Devin is bringing the answers. Thanks for this.

Thanks Coach MacDonald! For your service and of course the explanation. Wondered about those cameras too and you've confirmed it. The pool is built over an old rugby pitch and Paris is an old city. There must be significant infrastructure underneath. 🤔

Fascinating - Byron's explanation is incredibly clear and articulate. I know I'm atypical, but I would love more of this kind of coverage than "how do you feel?" stuff. Give me fascinating technical and behind the scenes stuff any day! We know how people feel - good or bad.

"Turbulence" is probably not the correct technical explanation for the problem. Irregardless, the solutions are clearly stated: -don't use the end lanes to avoid wall boundary effects -deepen pool to minimize bottom bdry effects -widen lanes to minimize swimmer wake interactions

Besides everyone's general interest in records though does it provide anyone a competitive advantage? Like do certain swimmers excel in a slow pool or can they adjust anything to excel?