Although I was very impressed with Sabir the swimmer, I was not impressed with Sabir the person. What was up with him flexing his muscles before the 50 FLY? Is this the NFL/ NBA or is this master's swimming? I didn't appreciate the "hey everyone, look at me" attitude. Swim the race, shake hands with your competitors, and be thankful for the gift God has given you. Don't show up your competitor like a Pro Wrestler. I wonder how much muscle flexing Sabir will do before events at the olympic trials! I have much respect for him for his talent and swimming accomplishments. But after his display before the 50 Fly, I have little respect for him as the person.
I agree with Paul, all USMS sanctioned meets are open to anyone with a valid USMS membership. The Race Club members certainly qualified. I did not attend the Indy meet, but our swimmers who attended were unanimously happy that the Race Club showed up and swam fast. This isn't the first time that elite level swimmers have attended USMS championships. Jon Olsen and Gary hall have attended USMS Nationals at Santa Clara in the past, Olsen in '99 and I can't remember Hall's dates maybe early 90's. I recall that every time GH stepped to the blocks there was a ripple of excitement through the crowd. I also remember the 200 Free race('99) with Jon Olsen, who was preparing for Olympic Trials, and John Keppler, a former Olympic Trials participant went head to head with Olsen swimming a 1:38.03 to Keppler's
1:40.54. Folk's were 10 deep around the pool, and everyone was screaming encouragement as the race proceeded. I still get goosebumps just picturing it. There was similar support for non elite swimmers in all the age groups. I can't total all the Nationals I've attended in nearly 14 years of coaching Masters Swimmers, but I've never heard anyone complain after watching a fast swim.
Go to www.theraceclub.net/column_usmsnationals.php
to read what the Race Club swimmers thought of the meet.
Just an after thought; Trina Radke a former and maybe future Olympian has been training with Ross Geary at Foothill Jr College, and has swum in a number of Pacific Masters Meets this past season. I know some very competitive swimmers in her age group who had no problems being knocked down a place in many events because of Trina's participation. Not one swimmer felt diminished by her presence.
I agree with Paul, all USMS sanctioned meets are open to anyone with a valid USMS membership. The Race Club members certainly qualified. I did not attend the Indy meet, but our swimmers who attended were unanimously happy that the Race Club showed up and swam fast. This isn't the first time that elite level swimmers have attended USMS championships. Jon Olsen and Gary hall have attended USMS Nationals at Santa Clara in the past, Olsen in '99 and I can't remember Hall's dates maybe early 90's. I recall that every time GH stepped to the blocks there was a ripple of excitement through the crowd. I also remember the 200 Free race('99) with Jon Olsen, who was preparing for Olympic Trials, and John Keppler, a former Olympic Trials participant went head to head with Olsen swimming a 1:38.03 to Keppler's
1:40.54. Folk's were 10 deep around the pool, and everyone was screaming encouragement as the race proceeded. I still get goosebumps just picturing it. There was similar support for non elite swimmers in all the age groups. I can't total all the Nationals I've attended in nearly 14 years of coaching Masters Swimmers, but I've never heard anyone complain after watching a fast swim.
Go to www.theraceclub.net/column_usmsnationals.php
to read what the Race Club swimmers thought of the meet.
Just an after thought; Trina Radke a former and maybe future Olympian has been training with Ross Geary at Foothill Jr College, and has swum in a number of Pacific Masters Meets this past season. I know some very competitive swimmers in her age group who had no problems being knocked down a place in many events because of Trina's participation. Not one swimmer felt diminished by her presence.
