Technology Helps Michael Phelps

Editor’s note: Writing today’s Skinny and filling in for LTW Editor Rick Smith this week is Noah Garrett.

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK - It is an honor to fill in this week for WRAL Local Tech Wire Editor Rick Smith. His tireless effort in providing technology news in the Triangle is an inspiration, to say the least. I hope to do half as good of a job as he does while he enjoys some time off this week.

Speaking of inspiration, I would be remiss not to say something about Michael Phelps. The Baltimore-native secured his name in Olympic history this weekend, winning eight gold medals to become what Internal Olympic Committee (IOC) President Jacque Rogge labels, “the icon of the games.” But, what I find interesting in his epic quest to greatness is how technology played a critical role – especially in the race where he secured his seventh gold medal and tied Mark Spitz’s 1972 gold medal record.

Friday night’s race where anyone watching in the jam-packed Water Cube or on television thought Milorad Cavic of Serbia pulled off a monumental upset in the 100-metre butterfly. One one-hundredth of a second is the smallest measurement in swimming - less than the blink of an eye, impossible to see. After trailing the entire race, Phelps came roaring down the stretch, trying to catch Cavic. It didn't look like he was going to get there; and frankly, it didn't look like he made it.

But, when the times flashed on the scoreboard, there it stood: 50.58 for Phelps, 50.59 for Cavic. Phelps himself seemed in disbelief as he roared and smashed the water with his fist.

The eyes didn’t have it. Luckily for Phelps, technology did.

Omega provides the electronic timing system for the games, which for swimming is tested for accuracy before each race and is powered by cable and also has a backup system using a battery. Both systems recorded the same times for Phelps and Cavic. The Swiss-based timekeeper has provided timekeeping and data-handling services to the Olympic Games since 1932. In addition to Beijing 2008, their long-term contract with the IOC extends to Vancouver 2010 and London 2012.

The Serbians filed a protest after the race while FINA (swimming’s governing body) reviewed the frame-by-frame footage and timing system. FINA ruled that everything was in “perfect order” and Cavic quickly removed his protest based on the results. Large touch pads, the width of each lane and extending down into the water, stop the clock when triggered by a swimmer’s touch. In this case, Phelps’ arms crashed into the wall just before Cavic’s.

In all, Phelps defeated 239 swimmers in five individual events. With the help of his teammates he beat 45 teams in his three relay events. Along the way he became the all-time leader in Olympic gold medals with 14 and America’s most decorated Olympic athlete with 16 medals overall. The only Olympic mark still out of Phelps’ reach is the 18 medals won by gymnast Larisa Latynina from the former Soviet Union.

Friday night’s race was the closest finish in history. And, thanks to technology, controversy was avoided and Phelps was awarded his seventh gold at the time.

Way to go, Phelps, and way to go technology!