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Paris , France – 30 July 2024; Regan Smith of Team USA before the women’s 100m backstroke final at … [+] the Paris La Défense Arena during the 2024 Paris Summer Olympic Games in Paris, France. (Photo By Brendan Moran/Sportsfile via Getty Images)
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While it might make sense for Keaton Jones, an ice swimming world champion, to come out in a snowsuit before his race out of habit, why do other swimmers also wear those large coats? And why does world record holder Regan Smith wear mittens? As the 2024 Paris Olympic Games continue, let’s address a question that’s been on many people’s minds: why do swimmers dress like that? Is the air really that cold?
Why Do Swimmers Wear Coats Before They Race?
NANTERRE, FRANCE – JULY 31: Katie Ledecky of Team United States walks out ahead of the Women’s 1500m … [+] Freestyle Final on day five of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Paris La Defense Arena on July 31, 2024 in Nanterre, France. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
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In the swimming world, athletes refer to these large coats as parkas. Swimmers strive to keep their muscles warm and loose, especially after warming up in the pool. This helps improve their range of motion, reduces the risk of injury and maintains their core body temperature while increasing blood flow. Overall, these benefits can help improve swimming performance. According to the European Journal of Sport Science, a study concluded that “Wearing warm clothing during a 30-min transition phase improved swimming performance by 0.6%, compared to limited clothing.” The study involved nine competitive swimmers and included a week of rest before changing conditions. Psychological readiness is also crucial. Swimmers might listen to music, slap their muscles to increase blood flow, wear their cap and goggles, swing their arms and jump up and down. Climbing out of the water after warmups and sitting around cold is probably at the bottom of a swimmer’s list of preferred preparations.
Regan Smith and Her Pink Mittens
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – JUNE 20: Regan Smith and Alex Shackell of the United States pose with their … [+] medals during a ceremony for the Women’s 200m butterfly final on Day Six of the 2024 U.S. Olympic Team Swimming Trials at Lucas Oil Stadium on June 20, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
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Regan Smith, 22, is from Minnesota and currently trains under Bob Bowman, who is known for having coached Michael Phelps. At the Tokyo Olympic Games, Smith won silver medals in both the 200 butterfly and the 4×100 medley relay. In a medley relay, each swimmer competes in a different stroke in the following order: backstroke, breaststroke, butterfly, and freestyle. Smith also earned a bronze medal in the 100 backstroke. At the 2024 Olympic Trials, Smith set a world record in the 100 backstroke with a time of 57.13. She also won first place in three events: the 100 backstroke, 200 backstroke and 200 butterfly. Additionally, Smith has earned five gold medals, three silver medals and one bronze at various World Championships. So far in Paris, she has secured silver medals in both the 100 backstroke and 200 butterfly, with her time in the 200 butterfly setting a new American record of 2:03.84. Still to come, Smith will compete in the 200 backstroke final later today. Smith is often seen wearing a parka and even pink mittens before her races to keep warm. If a world record holder like her follows this routine, it’s no surprise that many other swimmers do the same.
Upcoming Swimming Finals at the 2024 Paris Olympics:
PARIS, FRANCE – JULY 22: A General view of the backstroke flags at the competition pool in Paris La … [+] Defense Arena ahead of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games on July 22, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
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August 2nd: Women’s 200m Backstroke, Men’s 50m Freestyle and Men’s 200m Individual Medley
August 3rd: Men’s 100m Butterfly, Women’s 200m Individual Medley, Women’s 800m Freestyle and Mixed 4x100m Medley Relay
August 4th: Women’s 50m Freestyle, Men’s 1500m Freestyle, Men’s 4x100m Medley Relay and Women’s
