When we watch the different sports at the Winter Olympics, we see athletes who are daring and dedicated, athletic and artistic, entertaining and exciting. They are a delight to watch as these Winter Olympians inspire and surprise us with their athleticism and hard work. We could not imagine ourselves ski jumping or snowboard crossing or ski sloping or
Courtesy of WOWSA, Huntington Beach, California. We do not think the water temperature at a potential ice swim at the Winter Olympics needs to be a specific water temperature. The water could be near 0ºC or 3ºC or 5ºC or even higher. The dramatic visuals of swimsuit-only athletes, protected by only their own hardened bioprene, swimming in an alpine
If Ice Swims were added to the Winter Olympics, what would Colin Hill do? Would he compete as an athlete representing Great Britain? Served on a boat as a referee? Lend his expertise as a Safety Delegate? Organize on behalf of FINA's Technical Open Water Swimming Committee? Appear on television as a commentator? It may be the first time in Olympic
Courtesy of WOWSA, Huntington Beach, California. If an Ice Swim were added to future Winter Olympics, what would be the proposed rules and qualification process?Who would adjudicate these rules? It makes most sense - and the only way to go - is to work within the existing infrastructure and entities. That is, ice swimmers can use the same fundamental
One of the most fascinating topics at the 2012 Global Open Water Swimming Conference in Long Beach, California will be the discussions on how to get
Courtesy of WOWSA, Huntington Beach, California. From some people, Africa conjures up images of deserts and pyramids and wildlife. But the landscape ranges from the beautiful coasts of South Africa to the Nile plateau of Egypt, from the seaside in Kenya to the rivers in Gambia. It is a continent of extremes. Extremes made by nature...and extremes endured
Ram Barkai has a dream. An interesting, innovative goal: to get ice swimming of 1K in the Winter Olympics. The Winter Olympic Games have evolved since the first winter sports celebration in France in 1924. And it will continue to evolve as it plays to growing television and Internet audiences around the world. From its incorporation of sports that push
