Why are the middle lanes in the Olympics the better lanes?

Question

I've been watching swimming and track and field and both times the announcers say it was good to be in the middle lanes because it was better.. How are the middle lanes any better then the outer ones?

Thanks.

Answer 1

i wouldnt say theyre better but im guessing its because when your in the end you only really have an idea of where one compettator is (in the pool) so if they arent doing well and you are doing better than them than you might think youre doing well

Answer 2

In track and field the inner lanes are worse because you have to run a sharper turn which is supposedly a little harder to do

the outside lane is bad because you start off ahead and can't see anyone else and don't know where they are at

therefor the middle lanes are best because you don't have too sharp of a turn to run but you can still see half of the field and have a general idea of where you are at in the race

Answer 3

The camera focuses on you

And you don't feel alienated, hence making you happy, thus boosting your confidence.

xx

Answer 4

there not, there all exactly the same

Answer 5

After the hits, they use the athletes timings and the best two are in the middle 2 lanes the worse two in the outer two lanes. It follows that if they are the best during the hits, they will be the best during the actual race

Answer 6

The middle lanes are probably least affected by the wake of other swimmers.

Answer 7

the reason is because you can see whats going on around you so will be able to react better if  your competitors make a move.  Also at the edge you actually get a worse ride as the water bounces off the sides back into you.

What is wierd is that you actually get faster pools and slower pools!!!  Again this is caused by the way the waves rebound off the end walls and so make it chopier to swim through slowing you down

Answer 8

Two reasons:

You have the best view of the rest of the field.... its easier to see the other swimmers when you are in the middle.  

When you swim, you create a wake.  This wake bounces off the sides of the pool and comes back at the swimmer.  The closer you are to the edge of the pool, the larger and stronger these reflected waves are.

Answer 9

They tend to be considered better because then the runner/swimmer has a better overview of the other lanes, and can determine where he/she is compared to the others. You can also react better when you are in the middle because you also realise whe the others react.

In a distance such as the 400m race, it is a big advantage to be placed in the middle, because as you run, you can easily see where the others are and when they are accelerating and slowing down, so that you can plan your own race.

When you are swimming, the outer lanes have a disadvantage because the water splutter and waves caused by the inner lanes, all end up on you and might cause you to loose a little bit of speed.

When you are qualifying for a race, the best times get the best lanes, so it is not unfair! Its not like they just give the lanes to random people. You have to earn the spot first!

Other than that, there is not much difference apart from the fact that the cameras focus on you, and that you are in the center of attention. Hope this helped! =)

Answer 10

I've noticed that sometimes they will say the "inside" is better and somtimes the "outside" is better.  Like last night when a female swimmer was going and she was in the outside lane they said it was the best lane becuase of the calmer water that would be to her left.  IDK