The secrets behind the seemingly bizarre pre-race habit of Olympic swimmers have been revealed - and some are more logical than you might think.
Gold medalists from Team Australia such as Ariarne Titmus and Emma McKeon are usually seen splashing themselves with water from the pool, slapping their chests and rubbing the starting blocks immediately before any race in Tokyo.
The reason why our swimmers perform these pre-race rituals is to ensure their swimsuits are held in place and to limber up their muscles to ensure they enter the pool with the greatest acceleration possible.
Two-time Gold medalist for Team Australia Ariarne Titmus waves to the crowd after winning gold in the 200m women s freestyle at the Tokyo Aquatic Centre on July 28, 2021
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