SHRINKAGE
Bruce Williamson works for the Antigua and Barbuda Amateur Association and is in Beijing serving as the coach/manager to the nation’s swim contingent of one: 15-year old Kareem Valentine, who on Thursday finished 96th out of 97 entrants in the 50-free prelims.
Williamson explained that swimmers back home train in the Caribbean Sea because there isn’t enough money for pools. The water stays around 85 degrees much of the year, meaning that when any of the nation’s swimmers compete elsewhere, there is an adjustment period.
Especially, according to Williamson, for the men.
"We are 25 years ahead in (some ways) of open-water swimming," he said.
"But we are still behind in others. Oh, man, when we are in cold Australia water … the balls shrink, man. We are not usually exposed to those conditions."
Tell it to Costanza.
Williamson said the water temperature at the Water Cube on Thursday was adequate.
Which I guess means Valentine didn’t have any, you know, problems …