Ryan Murphy, the backstroker with the best times of all those competing in Paris, reminds us that the backstroke is the swimming style in which underwater swimming, also known as undulation, is most often used. It was in 1991 that the distance that swimmers could cover underwater in competition in backstroke events was limited to 15 metres per length. Finally, after the Atlanta Games in 1996, the surfacing distance was limited to 15m in all events, except the breaststroke, which has its own technical regulation. In addition, in the dorsal position, the undulation style can be slightly more efficient than in the ventral position. Backstroke events are characterised by swimmers pushing the undulation as they approach the 15-metre line. In the world concert, the Spaniard Hugo González is an exception: his backstroke technique is superior to the rest and it is not so profitable for him to swim for such a long time underwater.
Hugo, who set his best time in the 200m (1m 54.14s) at the Spanish selection trials held in Palma de Mallorca in June and who last night qualified with a discreet time (1m 56.52s) for today’s final (at 20.38), has great respect for the Hungarian Hubert Kos, who swam in 1m 54.14s last year and is the only participant in the final, along with Murphy, who has ever swum faster than him. The Italian Thomas Ceccon, world record holder in the 100 backstroke, may be too explosive for 200 metres. Lukas Märtens, the 400 freestyle champion in Paris, is not a specialist but has entered the fight with an excellent time in the qualifiers.
The disqualification of England’s Luke Greenbank in the morning heat may ease the way for the Spaniard. Greenbank won his heat by a length over Märtens, but was disqualified for exceeding the 15-metre limit at the start. This may have been the effect of an unusually shallow pool: 2.2 metres instead of 3. If Greenbank did not adapt by reducing the number of underwater movements, it is normal that he came out beyond the 15 metres allowed. In the deeper pools they are used to, swimmers go down to almost two metres and then emerge doing more movements than when they can only dive to 1.50 metres because there is not enough depth, or because, as in Paris, the bottom is also full of screens, lanes, cables and cameras that they could crash into. There have never been more obstacles in a modern Olympic pool.
Hugo, who is second in the 2024 world rankings behind Murphy, will have to adjust to his particular way of swimming. He knows that there are swimmers who are faster thanks to the underwater, both in the starts and the turns. But his backstroke speed is superior and his strength is the last 100, not the first. The opponents have to start faster than him, try to make that advantage enough and take advantage of the turns. Many of those who will participate in the final know each other perfectly. Murphy, like Keaton Jones, are Hugo’s teammates on the University of California team. Both are better than him in the start and turns, but slower in the swimming phase. The key will be how they are positioned in the last 25 meters. If Hugo controls the race as usual, he will have every chance of fighting for a medal.
Hugo must concentrate on his race structure, make the best of his turns, and use his finishing ability. Not all swimmers have the gift of calculating the exact distance they have left to touch the wall. Some fall short. Others slip. And others execute the last action with perfect timing of the arm and head throw back and a decisive undulating movement to gain the necessary hundredths of a second. This is something that can only be practiced in the reality of competition, something Hugo is accustomed to thanks to his work at the University of Berkeley, where his performances have earned NCAA championships.
Let’s not forget that the Spaniard has the second best world record in history for the 400 yards medley, only surpassed by a certain Léon Marchand.
Raul Arellano He is a professor at the University of Granada and head of the Singular Aquatics Lab.
You can follow Morning Express Sports on Facebook and Xor sign up here to receive the Daily newsletter of the Paris Olympic Games.