I agree. It was on the radio this AM in Dallas. WHEN ELSE HAVE YOU HEARD A US MASTERS SWIM MEET BE ANNOUNCED ON THE RADIO for any reason????!!!! I say let him swim and I would LOVE to have to bust my way into the Texas Swim Center past the protestors and news crews!!!!
My understanding was that USMS was NOT under FINA control and therefore did not have to apply the doping standards? I thought that USMS decided to follow FINA strictures out of (more or less) convenience, not that it was legally bound to uphold the FINA standards?
EDIT: I'm not supporting or decrying the outcome of this little shindig, just trying to figure out who's in the right.
According to CNN:
Now Armstrong's camp say he won't take to the pool.
Rob Butcher, executive director of U.S. Masters Swimming, who are staging the event, told CNN: "The word back is that he is not eligible to participate in our competition because FINA follows the WADA code -- the World Anti-Doping Authority code.
"And, as such, we are bound -- through a couple layers of separation down -- to our events as well.
"So the takeaway is: while he has entered and you'll see him on a heat sheet, he is not eligible to participate in that event. Or any other U.S.M.S competition."
Butcher said upon informing Armstrong's camp on Thursday morning, he will now withdraw from the event.
Butcher added: "After giving them this news, his people, not talking to him directly but his management team, said, 'You know what: we don't want to cause harm to your organization. We're not trying to create a sideshow circus for you guys. He's just going to withdraw or not show up for the event.'"
My understanding was that USMS was NOT under FINA control and therefore did not have to apply the doping standards?USMS is a member of United States Aquatic Sports (USAS), along with USA Swimming, USA Diving, USA Water Polo and USA Synchronized Swimming. USAS is the nation federation member to FINA from the United States. So there is a relationship between USMS and FINA, through USAS.
Unlike USA Swimming, Diving, WP and Synhro; USMS is NOT an NGB member of the US Olympic Committee. And therefore does not have a contract with the USADA. It was the lack of formal agreement between USMS and USADA that allow Armstrong to enter the meet.
How far does your “inclusiveness” go? Maybe USMS should recruit the infamous Ben Johnson of Canada track sprinting fame.
Who said anything about recruiting? If Ben Johnson wants to swim masters I say let him. Same with any of the others you mentioned.
As a swimmer currently @ #7 on the 1650 list for Armstrong's age group, I'd prefer to see him swim. I can also fully understand those that might not like it. My guess is that the issue is being pushed by USADA or WADA simply to ensure Armstrong feels pain over his cover-up. Maybe he deserves it... not my call.
I do find it interesting that FINA is involving itself in a SCY event. All I know about FINA and SCY is that they don't keep SCY records. Does FINA even recognize SCY in it's rules? Do they recognize it as a legitimate competition? If not, is Armstrong really competing as far as FINA is concerned?
I do find it interesting that FINA is involving itself in a SCY event. All I know about FINA and SCY is that they don't keep SCY records. Does FINA even recognize SCY in it's rules? Do they recognize it as a legitimate competition? If not, is Armstrong really competing as far as FINA is concerned?
I think this is a total red herring. If FINA is the governing body for swimming, they're the governing body for swimming. The fact they don't recognize SCY competition as far as records, etc. doesn't mean it's outside their purview as the governing body for swimming.
