[SwimTeamSpeedo]

Directionally, the statement is accurate, but a bit of hyperbole. I am not sure I'd say terrible. As a triahtlete I write this from experience. Hundreds of races under my Speedo! A few things to consider.

First, most trithletes come to the sport from running backgrounds, not swimming. Easily 2/3 of triathletes were runners first. As a competitive sport, running is the worlds largest (yes, swimming is most popular, but most of that is recreational, not many recreational swimmers actually ever race)

Second, just as most competitive swimmers are not strong runners, most runners are not strong swimmers. The advantage runners do have is endurance. They may have poor stroke skills, but they can go forever. Go to the local pool at open swim. The swimmers are doing bolting fast intervals, maybe 200 meters and rarely over 400 meters. The runner now triathlete is in the next lane in a workout that makes the energizer bunny look weak. He/she just keeps going and going and going.

Third, and i know this first hand. The triathlon is won on the run. A really good swimmer exits the water with maybe a 7-8 minute advantage over the "average swimming" runner on an Olympic distance race. Depending on skill some of that will be eroded on the bike (maybe). But on the run, a really strong runner will eat up that gap over the 10k run.

Finally, I have only once ever seen a swimmer have to be rescued in a race.

By the way, I am the among the last of the swim brief wearing triathletes. In many races now, I am the only one. I am not sure of the advantage of the tri suits, but I like my tried and trus Speedo suits, all the way through the race! And the "Speedo" butt looks cool, too...lol