Fastest Swimming Race Start Reaction Time by a Swimmer Age 14 or Under

Hong Kong

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Hong Kong, Hong Kong / May 12, 2024

Chengyong Wu was 14 years old when he left the block 0.49 seconds after the starting signal at the 2024 Olympic HKG Long Course Swimming Invitational Trial I in Hong Kong, racing out of lane 4 in the men's 200-meter individual medley. Reaction time measures the gap between the starter's tone and the swimmer's first movement, and it is registered by pressure sensors built into the starting block rather than judged by eye, so the figure that flashed on the official scoreboard is the block's own verdict. The whole record was over before he touched the water, which is a fine reminder that swimming races are decided in places nobody is watching.

Tags: speedswimmingsports

Rules

- The swimmer must be 14 years old or younger on the date of the attempt.
- Must take place during an officially sanctioned swimming competition.
- Any stroke, any race distance, and either long course or short course pools are eligible.
- The attempt must be made in an individual event. Backstroke starts and relay starts are not permitted, as both use a different starting procedure.
- The swimmer must start from a starting block.
- Reaction time must be measured by an automatic electronic timing system integrated with the starting block.
- The official competition timing system must display the reaction time immediately after the start.
- The swimmer must complete a legal start without a false-start disqualification.
- Age must be verifiable from the official meet program, heat sheet, or results.
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