Why do divers go to the showers after every single dive?
None of the other aquatic athletes do that.
Let’s discuss.
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I’m Leslie, the creator and author behind this blog. I’m an outdoor enthusiast who writes about what she’s reading, seeing, and thinking.
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17 responses to “A Question that must be answered:”
While we are at it…why do swimmers bob up and down in the water after their swim, often putting water in their mouth? Even Sam’s swim teacher would do this.I think you might want to market your “comment-guard”. We would buy a whole round for this house 😉
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I noticed one of Team USA’s swimmers doing that before a race — only he scooped a handful of water out of the pool, swished it around in his mouth and spit it back in to the pool. Ew.
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These are the kind of questions I have too and of course the NBC announcer says nothing! My daughter was fascinated last night that the Chinese gymnast could do the “stradles” she’s been working for two years and just got down on them this spring. She wants my son to try now!!Thanks so much for coming over to my blog. I’ve enjoyed reading your blog today and have added you to my list of must reads!!
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Hey Leslie- Thank you for comming by and for your encouraging comment. I really needed it this morning. I struggled through the night with nightmares after opening up old wounds. Thanks for sticking with me. I’m so glad that I found y’alls reading group. I’ve been using the book as a reference in the womens bible study I host every week in my home. We’ve been studing Proverbs 31.
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I was TOTALLY thinking the same question!! I’ll be back and forth to check for the answer.Are ya gettin’ ready for labor day weekend?!?! My hubby has begun chanting the fight song around the house.
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To wash off all the spit floating around in the pool from the less fastidious swimmers? Good question.
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I was wondering the exact same thing last night!
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Natalie — we started a countdown about two months ago! We are PUMPED!
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Karl thinks that not even the divers themselves know why they go to the showers after every dive. His theory is that one diver did it a long time ago, only he knows why he did it, and another diver copied him until now everyone does it. It became such a habit that aquatic center developers everywhere now put their showers right next to the pool.My theory? Divers need to shower off the chlorine. But then I have to ask why don’t swimmers do the same thing? What is it about swimmers that make them able to wait until they get to the locker room to shower? Why can’t divers wait? Some of them go from the shower to the jacuzzi, which has chlorine, so my chlorine theory can’t be it.I understand why they sit in the jacuzzi — to keep their muscles warm and loose. But why the shower?
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That’s so funny! I always ask Jason the same thing…every time! ; ) Why do they go wash off??? My guess was the chlorine as well, but as you said…then why not the swimmers? And the swishing, spitting thing!!! YES! Another thing that has me baffled! Why do they swish the water and spit it out before they swim???? GROSS! Let it be known if you get any answers! ; )
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They said last night on the Olympics coverage it is because the pool water is cold and the showers are warm – it helps them keep their muscles loose for the next dive.
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I heard that, too, but it still doesn’t make sense because they go immediately to the jacuzzi to keep their muscles warm. The commentator also said that they go to the showers because it’s fun…which makes me think she doesn’t know what she’s talking about. Maybe they go to the showers so that they’ll look busy standing around while the cameramen film them.
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Hey there! I found your blog through Lifesong. Just wanted to say that maybe the swish and spit is done as some sort of pre-swim “good luck” thing. It is probably a habit. It is pretty disgusting though!
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Guess what’s on the Yahoo home page this morning? I guess other people have been asking, too!http://sports.yahoo.com/olympics/beijing/blog/fourth_place_medal/post/The-mystery-of-the-showering-divers?urn=oly,100472Sorry, I don’t know how to put links in the comments.
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Thanks, Rebekah. The comments on that post are pretty funny.The problem is that using the shower to keep muscles warm just doesn’t make sense to me. Don’t roll your eyes, y’all. Look, I understand the temperature differential between the pool and the air, and all of that. Yes, they go from warm pool to warm shower to keep their muscles warm because the air is so cold, comparatively. They still GET OUT OF THE SHOWER. If they need to stay warm, why not stay in the shower? Or go straight to the jacuzzi? The temp of the air doesn’t change just because they went from pool to shower. They still end up standing around in 70 degree air. It doesn’t make sense!Besides, 70 degrees in a windless, humid aquatic center isn’t cold. They’re not likely to start shivering severely, causing their muscles to lock up. But what do I know? — you couldn’t pay me enough money to jump off one of those platforms. I say, pamper the divers. Give them showers and jacuzzis whether it makes sense or not. J
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I have been wondering the same exact thing. And I wish the cameras would focus on something else before we have some sort of wardrobe malfunction….if ya’ know what I mean!
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Yes! I’ve been especially concerned for the little guys in their speedos. I know they’re tight, but some of them look like they might just come right off in the dive.
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