Beijing Olympic Pool: 30% oxygen ?

[efattah]

With the crappy air in Beijing, and the ultra state-of-the-art $200M pool, it seems pretty clear that the 'clean air' in the pool is an artificial atmosphere, with air that is filtered, and most probably oxygen is injected into the air to bring Beijing's low 15-17% O2 up to the Earth's more natural 20%. I read that they use humidity controllers to keep the humidity at 50-60% exactly, as well as precise thermostats.

The question then arises as to if the organizers are increasing the oxygen content in the pool atmosphere to more than 20%.

Obviously many swimming records are falling due to the Speedo TZR suit, but with some records falling by 4 seconds or more, several times per day, it seems almost impossible. However, if there were perhaps 25% or 30% oxygen in the pool atmosphere, then we would expect records to fall by ridiculous amounts. Even Canada's lame swim team has broken 16 national records although they still have no medals.

If in fact the atmosphere has an unusual oxygen concentration, then the Beijing records would be very hard to beat after the Olympics are over.

Does anyone know if the IOC has tested the atmosphere in the pool?

 

[apneaboy]

Good thread this potentially as a conspiracy theory. It would be interesting to find out.

Don't tell David Blaine he'll be camping in the pool for a month before trying another WR

 

[spfoto]

Apneaboy, you should try the Speedo TZR suit, then when we all stop crying laughing……...sorry I cant continue …...LMAO……..

 

[Jee]

Higher O2 concentration increases the risk of fire. I don't know, which concentration makes this effect dangerous (noticable).

Is it really that low O2 in Beijing? 15-17% sounds too low for me.

 

[Kars]

"It all makes sence when expressed in dollars and cents."

I don't put it beyond the minds of our 'noble' (mis) leaders. They've done much much bigger tricks, lies and crimes in the past.

Maybe we have someone of Deeperblue going there, wanting to use a small O2 meter to check? I understand there are such small O2 measureing devices for Nitrox divers, that easily could be smuggled in. Who wants to be the brave wistle blower?

Love, Courage and Water,

Kars

ps. Intestesting observation that the city is oxigen starved, it will surely help to keep the population down.

 

[samdive]

on another note, perhaps we should all go and live in Beijing for a while and build up low O2 tolerance.... Steve - you up for it?

 

[ILDiver]

They have said with the new Speedo suits and the pool are the reasons for the increased times. The normal lap pools are 6' deep, the water cube has a 9' depth. Also the sides and ends "suck up" the wakes. All of this reduces the wave action and makes it a faster pool. From what I understand it's more the pool than the suits that results in the records.

I'll see if I can find a link about the pool. NBC was showing all the graphics and science behind it all.

All of the news about the singer, the pool, the gymnasts being under age...it's taking a lot of the shine off of this Olympics....

 

[bite ya]

I'm packing up and going to train in Beijing will be smashing 7mins soon!!

 

[apneaboy]

on another note, perhaps we should all go and live in Beijing for a while and build up low O2 tolerance....

yeh you go suck up that CO and then jump in the pool and go for a max

I'll be in the pool breathing up already if you need me to safety ;-)

 

[bite ya]

I think i'll need it Apneaboy probably BO after 5mins...lol. I've been watching it again today and world records are just getting smashed all over the place even the Gb team are setting new records, there must be something in this theory??

I want one of them suits.....

 

[Gera]

I took out office space some years ago in the Haidian District in northwestern Beijing-- overlooking beautiful park grounds-- the beautiful view rarely seen, of course, despite the vantage point.

Many acquaintances in Chinese cities from the age of 50 medicate for high blood pressure-- which too seems correlated with poor air. It compromises one's breathing and health, indeed.

 

[ReefTroll]

But the track can't be changed and look at the men's 100m final, celebrating with 20 metres to go and still breaking the world record. We could just be ushering in a new breed of athlete.... Especially since some top swimmers aren't even getting PB's...

 

[fcallagy]

Bolt was unbelieveable absolutly class.

 

[Bill]

'look at the men's 100m final,'

Is that a fair example? I read of one experiment that claimed the sprinters could go faster if they did the event exhale (FRC). It's totally anaerobic. How were the 10k and marathon times? That would reveal low O2 levels.

 

[bite ya]

I've just found a web site with the suits they are wearing (you can find it on the new nose clip thread) they are £320. Ouch!!!

Still want one though, think i might have to rob a bank first, christmas is a long way off!

 

[ReefTroll]

The cycling speeds weren't affected.

 

[trux]

Eric wrote about artificial atmosphere in the swimming pool stadium (closed building). Athletics or cycling is done on the stadium with an open top, hence keeping stable artificial atmosphere there would not be easily possible.

 

[trux]

I googled up the topic, trying to find whether the oxygen levels were controlled, but so far did not manage to find any closer information about the artificial atmosphere in the Olympic Cube. Anyway, I fell on another article in the Doping Journal, claiming that listening music prior the performance (as Phelps did) should be considered doping. I find it pretty ridicule, because in that case they would need to ban also yoga, sofrology, hyperventilation, and any other breathing techniques. However, although ridicule, it may be interesting to read anyway: The Doping Journal Vol. 5 article 2 - A Koudinov

A short quote:

D[SIZE=-1][SIZE=-1][SIZE=-1]id you notice that some swimmers wear earphones and are listening to music just before their every Olympic start, at Beijing's Summer Olympiad 2008 Water Cube pool deck, be it finals or semifinals? I first noticed that before Michael Phelps first gold swim on August 10: he removed earphones 2 minutes before the start, and he was the only swimmer who worn earphones at the pool deck. During other finals several other swimmers worn headphones. Intriguing scientific evidence testifies: Listening to music is a performance enhancement and [/SIZE][/SIZE][/SIZE][SIZE=-1][SIZE=-1][SIZE=-1]a prohibited by The World Antidoping Code 2008 method of the enhancement of oxygen transfer[/SIZE][/SIZE][/SIZE][SIZE=-1]. [/SIZE][SIZE=-1][SIZE=-1][SIZE=-1][SIZE=-1][SIZE=-1][SIZE=-1][SIZE=-1][SIZE=-1][SIZE=-1][SIZE=-1][SIZE=-1][SIZE=-1][SIZE=-1][SIZE=-1][SIZE=-1][SIZE=-1][SIZE=-1][SIZE=-1][SIZE=-1][SIZE=-1][SIZE=-1][SIZE=-1][SIZE=-1][SIZE=-1][SIZE=-1][SIZE=-1][SIZE=-1][SIZE=-1]Therefore, Beijing 2008 swimming Olympic medals by the pool deck music listeners are faked and should go to others who battle for it fairly[/SIZE][/SIZE][/SIZE][/SIZE][/SIZE][/SIZE][/SIZE][/SIZE][/SIZE][/SIZE][/SIZE][/SIZE][/SIZE][/SIZE][/SIZE][/SIZE][/SIZE][/SIZE][/SIZE][/SIZE][/SIZE][/SIZE][/SIZE][/SIZE][/SIZE][/SIZE][/SIZE][/SIZE][SIZE=-1].[/SIZE]

 

[Whopperhead]

That guy is insane! The Music is part of Phelps ROUTINE - Yeah it does stimulate endorphans and does help with his swim- but it's not illegal. They just did a short story on NBC on athletes who listen to music before they compete.

Why would it be hard for him to believe that with these new suits and his talent- that he's just a freak of a swimmer.

Scott--- M.D. , PHD, Scientist (<----- do you believe this? - yeah me neither)

 

[shoutatthesky]

That sure is interesting Trux!
In my opinion doping is limited to material substances introduced into the body to enhance performance. Such a definition, if correct, would exclude music, yoga, or breathing techniques, but would include an oxygen enriched environment.