UVA math professor helps Olympic swimmers make it on the podium

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (WRIC) — An unexpected duo — math and Olympic swimming.

University of Virginia (UVA) mathematics professor Ken Ono uses data analytics to help the coaches and swimmers at UVA understand where they can optimize their movements in the pool — it’s crucial in a sport like swimming where winners can be milliseconds apart.

At the 2024 Paris Games, six swimmers competing for gold on Team USA have also competed at UVA, like Gretchen Walsh and Kate Douglass, who will both be bringing home silver medals. UVA’s head coach Todd DeSorbo is also in Paris as USA’s head swim coach.

Several times a year, Professor Ono works with the team at UVA using an accelerometer belt to track the swimmers’ movements.

“In a typical session, maybe seven to 10 athletes will come through our part of the pool, execute their tests with our accelerometer belt and it goes like clockwork,” he said. “Through the data we collect, we can find deficiencies, unexpected sources of drag, which causes deacceleration.”

Ono is in Paris for the Olympics, but not to work. His data prep with the athletes was completed months ago.

“The only work I’m doing with swimmers here in Paris is high-fiving, ‘you’ve got it, the hay is in the barn, today is your day, today is your day,'” he said.

UVA Senior Associate Head Coach Tyler Henwick said watching athletes he’s worked closely with compete on the world stage is like no other feeling. He said part of their success is attributed to Ono.

“It’s been really really cool to watch him work, but then also to watch him implement his system, and our athletes flourish because of it,” he said.

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