I went to a short course Nationals many years ago (Fort Lauderdale) in which swimmers were allowed to swim both the 1000 and 1650, on the same day. Why is it that distance swimmers must choose between their 2 best events while there are 9 events of 100 yards or less? Also, it seems that distance swimmers are always required to miss the most amount of work since the 1000/1650 are always first (Thursday). I'm sure this has been discussed before, but I'm not sure what the reasoning was for only allowing 1 distance event (outside of time). It seems as if they could be swum on different days as they are at USS Nationals or any USS meet for that matter. Just curious.
Blessed With No Speed
Jeff,
You argument seems to make sense, but you are assuming away the most significant problem with the 1500/800 double. How many people will chose to swim both? You can't have it both ways. You want to let people swim both events because you think there is a significant number of people who want to do that, but cannot do that now. OK, fair enough. But, if that is the case, all those folks adding either the 1500 or the 800 to their schedule of events (instead of, hypothetically, the 400's they are now swimming) will add significant numbers of heats to both events, and require more time to complete them.
I have no problem with changing the meet to let pure distance folks do both events, but let's be honest with ourselves about what the cost will be.
Matt
Jeff,
You argument seems to make sense, but you are assuming away the most significant problem with the 1500/800 double. How many people will chose to swim both? You can't have it both ways. You want to let people swim both events because you think there is a significant number of people who want to do that, but cannot do that now. OK, fair enough. But, if that is the case, all those folks adding either the 1500 or the 800 to their schedule of events (instead of, hypothetically, the 400's they are now swimming) will add significant numbers of heats to both events, and require more time to complete them.
I have no problem with changing the meet to let pure distance folks do both events, but let's be honest with ourselves about what the cost will be.
Matt
