HOW CHAMPIONS DO IT

Researched, produced, and prepared by Brent S. Rushall, Ph.D., R.Psy.

SUSAN O'NEILL'S FULL STROKE AT 110 m OF HER 200 m BUTTERFLY GOLD MEDAL RACE AT THE ATLANTA OLYMPIC GAMES 1996

Each frame is .1 second part. This sequence contains a non-breathing stroke followed by a breathing stroke. The reader should also refer to the other analyses of Susan O'Neill's stroke in the same race.

At this stage of the race, Susan O'Neill had turned at the 100 m in 1:00.66 which was .82 seconds faster than Mary T. Meagher's 1981 record split. By the end of this lap, her time slows to .07 seconds slower than MTM's record pace.

Notable Features

It appears that Susan O'Neill's stroke is altering slightly possibly due to fatigue. When compared to the movement pattern displayed in the non-breathing stroke phase at 65 m, the following are possible.

There is evidence in these frames that the kicking movement is too big for the stroke. Rather, than serving to create propulsion and to counter-balance vertical force components, it still provides propulsion but alters streamline noticeably and possibly to the detriment of the swimmer.

Susan O'Neill at 110 m

Return to Table of Contents for this section.