Why do Olympic swimmers splash water in the mouth and then spit?

Question

I noticed the women (50 m freestyle heats) splashing water on their faces and arms (which makes sense) and also in their mouths and then spitting. Why is this?

Answer 1

the spit on the goggles becase it helps it not fog up... and also.. because its the cool thing to do ... well i threw that second part in there and made it up... lol... but rly its cuz it helps it not fog up... notice not all of them spit some... l**k the goggles.... your spit has a diffrent chemical then normal water so this helps not fog up....

Answer 2

My swimmers get swallowed.

Answer 3

cuz when you're swimming that sorta thing happens. And if they do it b4 they're just getting water ready.

Answer 4

Probably just to look good.

And to 'pukebob' - LOL !!

Answer 5

Perhaps its a pre-swim ritual that certain swimmers do. It might have something to do with having a dry mouth because they're nervous, or just to get accustomed to the water. Check out other heats for different strokes and you''ll see that no one else does this "mouth splashing".  

Answer 6

Checking that the previous swimmers didn't p**s in the pool.