I think this is partly because, unlike running/triathlon/cycling in the US, the sport of swimming divides age groupers/elites and masters into separately governed entities (USA and USMS).
And even in swimming, in most other countries there is just one NGB to handle all of swimming, from kids to 100-year-olds.
competing that previously had been busted for drugs. Angel Martino and Vlad Pleshenko come to mind.
And those (and others) were busted for cheating in swimming. But they didn't receive lifetime bans.
Quite honestly I think FINA stepping in here is just WADA/USADA trying to pressure LA to name names for cycling. They couldn't care less about the integrity of masters swimming. We USMS members do, which is why I think the decision should have been ours to make. I'm in the "don't worry, be happy, let him swim" camp but if his participating upsets a lot of USMS folk then I am perfectly content to abide by the majority feeling.
I think this is partly because, unlike running/triathlon/cycling in the US, the sport of swimming divides age groupers/elites and masters into separately governed entities (USA and USMS).
And even in swimming, in most other countries there is just one NGB to handle all of swimming, from kids to 100-year-olds.
competing that previously had been busted for drugs. Angel Martino and Vlad Pleshenko come to mind.
And those (and others) were busted for cheating in swimming. But they didn't receive lifetime bans.
Quite honestly I think FINA stepping in here is just WADA/USADA trying to pressure LA to name names for cycling. They couldn't care less about the integrity of masters swimming. We USMS members do, which is why I think the decision should have been ours to make. I'm in the "don't worry, be happy, let him swim" camp but if his participating upsets a lot of USMS folk then I am perfectly content to abide by the majority feeling.
