Why do swimmers put water in their mouths and then spit it out before a competition?

Question

I have been watching the Olympic trials and have seen several of the swimmers do this. Just curious if anyone knows why!

Answer 1

its like

a way of getting yourself ready

its like sort of showing ur determination

Answer 2

just to psyche yourself up

it's just a habit that tells the body "alright, let's do this"

Answer 3

i do it cuz i can. and its like a busy thing. its similar to biting fingernails or tapping your feet.

its a psych up thing. i do it a lot before and after i race.

Answer 4

Water spitting is just another ritualized, nervous behavior that swimmers do when they are at the blocks. It's just like goggle adjusting and cap picking. They will repeat and repeat until being called up onto the blocks.

I used to do the same kinds of things. My husband thinks it's funny -- that swimmers are the most OCD of all athletes -- but it makes me feel nervous for them.