Olympic swimming is an exciting sporting activity. Those who compete in Olympic swimming are honored and those who watch are excited. Safety is not the first concern for competitors or spectators but it is for those who help put the Olympics together. Olympic swimming safety goes beyond water safety and aims to make the lanes and starting blocks safe as well.
Inspection
Safety involves everything from the bleachers or stands to outside the pool to the water in the pool. All swim meets, from your child's YMCA swim meet to the Olympics, should begin with a facilities safety inspection, according to the USA Swimming website. There should be no broken equipment or crowded hallways. The area should be clean and safe for swimmers and spectators alike. If there is an area of concern, there should be warning signs or barriers posted. Announcements regarding rules, regulations and procedures can be made to further ensure the safety of those within the swimming facility.
Walls
The walls of the pool are important for the swimmers. While the angles and length need to be specific measurements, the surface of the wall matters to the swimmer. The walls need to be constructed of solid, non-slip material so the swimmers can touch and push off in turning without harm, according to the Federation Internationale De Natation, an organization that has composed the rules for Olympic swimming for more than 100 years.
Lanes
One lane rope separates the 10 lanes required for Olympic swimming pools. Lane ropes extend the full length and are secured at each end to the wall with anchor brackets, which are recessed into the wall. Each lane rope should have floats placed end to end and be on the surface of the water. The lane ropes should be stretched firmly, according to the Federation Internationale De Natation. Lane ropes are colored green, blue or yellow. The purpose of lane rules and regulations is to keep swimmers within their own lane to reduce risk of injury.
Starting Platforms
Starting platforms need to be firm and have no spring to provide a solid base for the dive. The height and the slope are at specified measurements and the platforms are covered in a non-slip material to ensure the swimmer does not fall off. The platform is also constructed to allow the swimmer to grip it in the forward start. Handgrips may also be installed for the forward start or the backstroke, according to the Federation Internationale De Natation. They are to be parallel to the surface and cannot protrude beyond the wall.
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