athletes slowing down

[princerupe74]

why do leading athletes often slow down before the finishing line? Surely their times matter....

[Stevee]

Winning matters Bolts got all the records.

[Aquariel]

If they know they won't break the record and they've probably won the race, it's all about doing only what they need to do. They tend to slow down at the end in heats where they only need a top 2 or 3 finish to qualify, conserving their energy for the final. Usain Bolt was running flat out for the whole 200m tonight because Blake was pushing him all the way.

[jomifl]

He as good as admitted that he slowed down because he had no choice.

[flipnflap]

had no choice?

[ELVIS68]

Bolt was not running flat out for the whole 200 metres, he slowed down because he knew he'd won and he knew the record couldn't have been broken

[boxtops]

It was quite noticeable - I've just watched it on i-player because I missed it live.

[Mattk]

Athletes slow down in the heats as its all about conserving vital energy for the finals.

[johnk]

other athletes were disqualified for trying to lose. If you've won why kill yourself to win by a bigger margin.

[jno]

Times don't matter, winning does. These are races, all that counts is beating the others.

[ChuckFickens]

"Other athletes have been disqualified for not giving the best they can give"

No they haven't, other athletes have been disqualified for trying to lose, that's not the same thing.

Times don't matters, it's a race, not a time trial.

[jno]

very well put, Chuck

<ahem>

[Mattk]

Times do matter in the qualifying stages as it secures you a better lane draw.