Some spectators at the Tokyo Games are perplexed by the actions of the divers competing in the events.
Even though they are already wet, divers usually take a brief shower as soon as they climb out of the pool after a dive. Then, despite being drenched again on the subsequent dive, they dry off with miniature towels.
One of the most searched Olympic-related questions on Google during the past week is “Why do divers shower after each dive?”
Therefore, why? The platform diving competitions continue this week, so we reached out to Jacob Brehmer, the diving coach at Ball State University in Indiana, for insight.
To What End do Scuba Divers Rinse Off
It’s common practise for divers to take a little shower between dives so they can keep their muscles warm. To get clean, they typically use water that is even hotter than the pool.
The International Swimming Federation (FINA) specifies that diving pools used in international events must keep their water at a minimum temperature of 26 degrees Celsius (78.8 degrees Fahrenheit) at all times. This includes the Tokyo Aquatics Centre.
Brehmer explains, “Usually a diver will have to wait a substantial length of time following a dive before doing another dive.” “There’s a good chance the air temperature on the pool deck is on the cool side, so a quick shower before jumping in can do wonders for keeping muscles toasty. Since diving requires such pinpoint accuracy and quick reflexes, even a slight case of the chills and shivers can have a significant impact on a diver’s performance.”
For What Reason, They Use Teeny-Tiny Towels
A chamois (pronounced “shammy”) is a little towel used by swimmers and divers at big competitions for a variety of purposes, one of which is to keep warm.
Brehmer claims the divers can dry off rapidly and keep their body heat thanks to the portable, highly water-absorbent towels.
Avoiding getting wet makes for more secure dives and a more even playing field.
He describes how the divers hold onto their legs tightly as they flip through the air. They risk injury and worse scores because their hands are more likely to slip off their wet legs and cause them to emerge from the dive prematurely.
The Significance of Body Taping
Keeping their muscles in tip-top shape is vital for Olympic divers because they do incredible feats at great speeds in deep pools.
A slight increase in muscular tension can have profound effects. This is why some divers choose to reinforce their knees, backs, and shoulders with tape.
There are similarities to the tape used by beach volleyball players, tennis players, and other athletes.
In Brehmer’s words, “basically it just provides a little extra support,” which in turn can alleviate discomfort in muscles, joints, and ligaments.
Many competitors are not leaving anything to chance in order to increase their chances of success in a sport where even a small advantage might determine whether they win a medal or not.
