Swimming world records falling like rain drops.

I'm trying to contain myself while writing this so that my thoughts are coherent. However, after the exploits of the swimmers (especially Phelps) at this years inception of the Olympics, I must say that it is challenging.

What does a world record signify?

My understanding of a world record is that it is a mark reached for the first time in history. Someone who attains a world record in swimming is therefore the fastest person to ever undertake that particular distance/discipline in the history of the sport.

With that understood. How are so many records falling in swimming this year? For example. John Brown steps up in heat 1 in the 50m freestyle, finishes the race and smashes the world record! He's elated, extatic (reaches for his cell phone to call his mom at home in timbuktoo).

Heat 2 comes around, and John Hancock establishes a new record! (John Brown didn't even have time to call his mom!)

Heat 3 comes around and Hitorchi Suzuki eclipses that record and is now the new world record holder!

How special is the attaining of a world record if so many people have the ability to break it? Additionally, what of the people who were holders of world records for decades before this Olympics? If still alive, they must feel pretty unhappy seeing Tom, Dick and Harry swim below their mark at will.

According to some experts the pool at the Beijing Olympics has been calibrated to produce less friction enabling swimmers to produce faster times. The pool is three meters deep and in the swimming world, that's a fast pool!

Additionally, the new suits from Speedo have been carefully designs to meet the competitive needs of Olympic level swimmers.

With all of that said, my opinion is unchanged. A world or Olympic record means very little if every jack man has access to it.

Let three people break a record in the heats of a track event and see how quickly the world would scrutinize those performances. The IAAF, WADA, USADA and every other anti doping agency or related firm would be all over those athletes' blood and urine samples. I can only hope the same is being done in swimming.

For example,

Heat 1 of the men's 100m
Asafa Powell runs 9.71s

Heat 2
Usain Bolt runs 9.69s

Heat 3
Tyson Gay produces 9.68s

How believable is that? With 2 - 3 more rounds of competition left in the event not very!

But the swimmers can do it!