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Tuesday, March 15, 2005

Swimmer Kitajima didn't grab double gold on natural ability alone-science put him over the top

Kosuke Kitajima heard the bad news last July. He was training in Spain before the Athens Olympics. A U.S. swimmer had easily broken Kitajima's world records-marks he had just set-in the 100-meter and 200-meter breast stroke. Kitajima's coach, Norimasa Hirai, asked Fumihiko Iwahara, 33, a researcher with the Japan Institute of Sports Sciences, to analyze video of the races.

Using the lane dividers to judge distance, Iwahara timed the American over every 10 meters and counted his strokes. He concluded the U.S. swimmer hadn't missed a stroke in a perfect performance.

How had the American done so well? Perplexed at first, he eventually considered the role of pressure.

``The reason he was able to swim so perfectly was because he was so far ahead of the other swimmers. He wasn't under any pressure at all. But could he be so perfect in an Olympic final?'' Iwahara said.

Sitting beside him, coach Hirai chimed in: ``So we pressure him. We'll take a psychological strategy.''

When they arrived at Athens, Hirai and Iwahara told Kitajima to go all out, even in the preliminaries. He followed instructions and set an Olympic record in his first prelim.

As far as the Japanese were concerned, the pressure was now on the American. The ball was in his court and he dropped it. Kitajima left Athens with two gold medals around his neck.

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posted by Michelle at 3/15/2005 02:26:00 PM

39 Comments:

  • Wow. I think I just threw up on my shoes. Science my cute bottom.

    By Blogger Melissa, at 3/15/2005 2:58 PM  

  • I'm just going to reference an earlier post I made.

    From my friend FINA Swimming Rules:

    SW 7.5 The feet must be turned outwards during the propulsive part of the kick. A scissors, flutter or downward dolphin kick is not permitted. Breaking the surface of the water with the feet is allowed unless followed by a downward dolphin kick.

    By Blogger a, at 3/15/2005 3:10 PM  

  • you have GOT to be kidding me. *seething* They can't even reference Brendan by name? Just "the American"? *glares*

    By Blogger afadingvoice, at 3/15/2005 3:12 PM  

  • I was just about to say that... "Fear of a name only increases in the fear itself"

    I don't know why I just quoted Hermoine Granger, but it seemed to fit.

    Let them believe whatever they want... we know Bren-bear could beat dolphin boy anyday.

    By Blogger Jaclyn, at 3/15/2005 3:45 PM  

  • I don't know which is worse - that they only refer to him as the American and never say his name or that they say he was under no pressure at trials and dropped the ball at the OG's. The whole thing just makes me all fragile. I need a hug yo. :dramaqueen:

    By Blogger Michelle, at 3/15/2005 4:23 PM  

  • So nice that they admit that Bren swam the perfect race. I find it very interesting that forgot to mention that Bren cam back and beat the record that KK had just set. There wasn't even time for the ink to dry on the record books before the name Kitajima was covered in liquid paper and the name B. Hansen was put here. I wonder if it was more of this Dr's physchological warfare to have KK scream in Bren's ear like a freaking banshee. The fact that they have omited Brendan's name from the article is probably more of the strategy to psych him out.. Well I think it backfired, because now even I wasn't to kick his ass. Meesh, here is your hug.... now.. you hold me back... I'm going spear hunting for dolphin.

    By Blogger lala, at 3/15/2005 4:25 PM  

  • Thank you lala. I think omitting his name is like admitting how scared they are of him. Still makes me angry.

    By Blogger Michelle, at 3/15/2005 4:29 PM  

  • "Well I think it backfired, because now even I wasn't to kick his ass."

    That was a typo... I mean to say "I WANT TO KICK HIS ASS." ..... and his little dog too.

    By Blogger lala, at 3/15/2005 4:34 PM  

  • ::triple hugs for the boss and lala::

    Like I said the last time, I'm not even going to bother to comment. It's not worth it of our time nor our anger. He's only trying to mess with Brendan's head, cause he knows he cannot beat him fairly.

    KK might have the medals in his house, but we all know who the true Olympian is. We all know who is the one that works hard and wins fairly.

    And quoting Shakespeare "The rest is silence".

    By Blogger Lena, at 3/15/2005 4:36 PM  

  • PS: Triple hugs for Brendan too.

    Always a good chance to seize the day (and the man)

    By Blogger Lena, at 3/15/2005 4:39 PM  

  • Whew..blogger finally decided to be nice and let me play.

    Well I will refrain from posting what words I had after reading this article because after all I am a lady...but I did want to say this article is great motivation? I don't think they realize this gives Bren more ammo to do what he does best! Go get em' Toiger!

    By Blogger LongHornLove, at 3/15/2005 4:42 PM  

  • I just laughed and shook my head as I read the article. I just have to ditto on all the other comments. Poor KK who needs instructions...

    By Blogger tinkerbell, at 3/15/2005 5:05 PM  

  • Yeah, ditto on what everyone has said so far. "The American" has a name, yo. His name is Brendan Hansen and he's gonna blow that cheater out of the water come Worlds time. *sends good vibes Bren's way and hugs to Michelle*

    By Blogger Janine, at 3/15/2005 5:35 PM  

  • So all of my thoughts have pretty much been stated- thanks to all of your for expressing my thoughts better than I can. I hope Kitajima realizes that the pressure to win is on him now that he's the Olympic Champion. We'll see who the better man is in Montreal.

    By Blogger pixley, at 3/15/2005 6:08 PM  

  • I'd state my opinion, but it would get me banned from this board. :(

    By Blogger Andrea, at 3/15/2005 6:20 PM  

  • No one gets banned for having different opinions.

    By Blogger a, at 3/15/2005 6:27 PM  

  • Actually was having a great day until I read this article....kind of got me a little steamed but I am thinking I should thank them because after reading it got the juices flowing or blood boiling which ever way you want to put it...and will have an awesome workout because of it.

    I am looking at this way, Bren hit his taper at trials and broke both of dolphin boys records (without the use of an illegal kick)...at the OG's he did not hit his taper, at least not like trials and set an Olympic record....on the other hand dolphin boy did not come near the WC records while using an illegal kick....We now have approx. four and a half months to wait...four and a half months for Bren to hear the banshee scream ringing in his ears...think dolphin boy's scientists should have considered the affect that scream had...Bren did not like, I cringe when I see the tape....you dont forget something like that...which is why I am soooo excited for Montreal. I'm thinking Bren will do his 'personal best'...and all of my positive energy is going Brens way.

    By Blogger Aunt K, at 3/15/2005 6:30 PM  

  • I have a feeling next time Bren races Cheato, he will make sure Cheato remembers his name :)

    By Blogger LongHornLove, at 3/15/2005 6:45 PM  

  • hmm I didnt know that illegal dolphin kicks were considered "scientific"... Ill have to look into that.

    By Blogger quirky brunette, at 3/15/2005 6:47 PM  

  • Heck yeah,Bren swam perfect races. That's why he has the records. Duh!!

    Anyway,I will not get riled up over this article. We know who holds the records and that's all that matters. I measure greatness by more things than how many and what color medals someone has hanging around their neck. Bren's attitude through all of this and his dedication impress me more and more everyday. I will not get angry,I will not get angry...

    *breaks out stress ball and starts squeezing*

    By Blogger blairbecky, at 3/15/2005 7:57 PM  

  • Blah, blah, blah. They can try to convince themselves Kitajima won fairly but we all know the truth.

    Oh, and if Kitajima's banshee shriek was a way to deter Brendan, I hope they're aware that it in fact did the opposite.

    *runs off to go dolphin spearing with lala*

    By Blogger Alexandra, at 3/15/2005 9:12 PM  

  • man that makes me so mad. If i were Brendan it would be so hard for me to hold my tongue!!..just shows how much class Bren has and how much more sweet his victories will be in Montreal when he crushes dolphin boy. i really got to get my act together so i can make it to the big show.

    By Blogger jenny, at 3/15/2005 10:47 PM  

  • Ugh, I'm just disgusted...

    By Blogger sportsgal86, at 3/16/2005 2:46 AM  

  • I was mad when I first read this, but I reminded myself, talk is cheap. One thing I recently discovered is that Brendan is 1) A World Record Holder and 2)An Olympic Record Holder. No mention of dolphin boy in any of those record books at this time. He may have stole the medals, but he still isn't good enough to hold the records! I think that alone speaks for itself

    By Blogger Stephie Mc, at 3/16/2005 6:53 AM  

  • Ahh this article infuriates me--but ditto Stephie, the records clearly show who the better swimmer is, not to mention who has more class and better sportsmanship. Kick his ass in Montreal Brendan!!!

    By Blogger _cesca_, at 3/16/2005 7:57 AM  

  • Mrs. H wanted to post but blogger was being uncooperative so she emailed it to me:

    After Brendan swam the final race of the 100 breast we saw him waiting for us at the warm- up pool with the silver medal around his neck. He looked a little sad and I ask him if he was OK and was happy with his race? He looked at me with a controlled strain and told me, "Mom, I let everyone down". He was racing for his country and he felt everyone would be very dissappointed in him. At that level, you are not racing as an individual, you are racing for all of America. He was more concern and upset for all his swimming fans and his country.
    The reason I am telling you this is because after reading the comments under the article you posted last night, I want the bloggers to know just how important their confidence in him is. This is what Brendan feeds off of. If you believe in him and cheer for him no articles in the world can stop him. The night of the 100 brst finals was so eerie. Sean and I were just talking about that last night. There was something very strange about that night. It was cold, 40 degree drop in temp. and 30 mile winds. I had the American flag wrapped around me for warmth. There were no signs for Brendan, no t-shirts, no obnoxious screams. Everywhere I looked I saw Kitajima face on someones back and white flags with a big red dot covering stand after stand. This was Kitajima's night.
    I guess what I am trying to say is how valuable all the bloggers are to Brendan. The signs, the wonderful comments, the cheering in the stands, the possible t-shirts. All that will be what fires him up. When he swims at Worlds he swims for you. Look back at World short course meters, he loved the atmosphere there as well as Trials. He was not kidding when he says he feed off of the crowd and it is their screams that helped him through. Did he swim the perfect race at Trials? No, as Brendan will tell you, there is no such thing as a perfect race. One always has something they can improve on. Did he have fan support and people behind him. Absolutely! Hard work and sacrifice are what got Brendan to Trials, it is my belief that the confidence and support from all who know him and believe in him helped him reach the World Records. This is what makes up this Olympian.

    Mrs. H

    By Blogger Michelle, at 3/16/2005 12:22 PM  

  • ::sniffle::

    By Blogger Michelle, at 3/16/2005 12:26 PM  

  • ::fights back tears and hands Michelle a tissue::

    By Blogger Lena, at 3/16/2005 12:47 PM  

  • *Hugs Mrs.H,Bren and Meesh*

    I can't even think of words to describe how much I appreciate all the people that represent our country. I don't need perfection,I just want someone to compete with all their heart. I remember attending Indy and everytime the flag was raised as the anthem was sang I got teary. It was a great experience and I'm glad it meant something to all the people there.

    Thanks Mrs.H for sharing that. Meesh,thanks for keeping this great site going so that Bren can see how much we are behind him.

    Bren,don't ever think you disappoint us. We are your fans no matter what.

    By Blogger blairbecky, at 3/16/2005 1:06 PM  

  • *sniffle*

    Ditto to what blair said.

    *grabs tissue from Lena*

    By Blogger Sarah, at 3/16/2005 1:43 PM  

  • ::Hugs Blair, Sarah and Lena::

    Blair said it so much better than I could.

    By Blogger Michelle, at 3/16/2005 1:49 PM  

  • Wow..pass the tissue box my way too. That made me feel proud to wear my Brendan Hansen Fan badge :)

    By Blogger LongHornLove, at 3/16/2005 2:15 PM  

  • I wonder why "the Japanese" and his team would want to disseminate this information now. Obviously they're not going to employ the same strategy again. But obviously also they're not planning to rely on competing by honorable standards. The challenge clearly is for Brendan to swim his own race on his own terms.

    By Blogger Jane, at 3/16/2005 2:16 PM  

  • Well Brendan won't have to worry about Trials coming up. Blair and I (plus a few other friends) will be screaming for him. And at Worlds, I know he'll have a ton of backers there too.

    And as much as I know Brendan wanted the golds, I think the respect and admiration he gets from other swimmers and swimming fans like us is more important. Records can be broken, names get scratched out of the books, medal winners become barely remembered trivia questions. But love, respect, dedication, and support are remembered and appreciated forever.

    Brendan, you do good things for people, both in and out of the pool. You affect people's lives in a positive way. A differently colored medal won't change who and what you are. You represented yourself, your family, your friends, your fans and your country the best way you knew how in Athens. That's all we ever ask of you. Thanks.

    By Blogger JHD, at 3/16/2005 2:27 PM  

  • blairbecky - you summed it up beautifully.

    i was just telling michelle, i always think of my dad when i hear about kitajima/bren the olympics - of all the people i turned into bren fans, my dad is pretty tough guy to impress - especially athletes. I called him The Negator, for his constant wiseguy, negative comments.
    We watched the kitajima fiasco, and he had some choice words for KK, but still had no comment on bren.

    after all of brens races, interviews, etc. he finally said out of the blue "you know your friend brendan," he never remembers names of boys i talk about, so this was shocking - "I'll tell you what, he's a class act. I dont know much about swimming, but he's pretty (insert bad word) good. But i'm more impressed with his demeanor, and how he carries himself. Good egg that one. I like him."

    The above prob. means nothing to anyone, but it proves to me that KK may have won gold medals, Bren has won the hearts of more people, and that in itself is pretty golden.
    athlete aside, I'm honored to know such a cool person.
    :)

    I should bring my dad to montreal...then i'd have some company in the slammer when we both get tossed out for screaming at KK.

    By Blogger swimphilly78, at 3/16/2005 2:43 PM  

  • Mrs H - We definitely believe in Brendan and he would never let us down. I know in his mind he may have felt that way, but he does so many great things and is such a great representative of this country and his sport, I am sure I can safely say we are all proud of him.

    Any event in the future I may get to, you can count on me to have a big American flag with me and my big American mouth to cheer my lungs out! =)

    By Blogger Stephie Mc, at 3/16/2005 2:48 PM  

  • Mrs. H, I hope Brendan knows that none of us are disappointed in him - watching him accept his silver medal with dignity and class even though he clearly was cheated out of gold was one of those moments where I as an American was proud of my country and the athletes representing America. I think he's incapable of disappointing his fans.

    By Blogger Alexandra, at 3/16/2005 4:25 PM  

  • You all have said it better than I did. But just for reinforcement...

    Brendan, you did not let me down either. I held no loyalties in that race because my country was not competing. It was your clean style and your incredible talent what made me a fan of you. I'm sure it does not mean much, but I still feel the need to say that wherever is that you're swimming, I'll be rooting for you.

    By Blogger Lena, at 3/16/2005 5:30 PM  

  • This post has been removed by a blog administrator.

    By Blogger blue mirage, at 3/17/2005 5:07 AM  

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