2013 FINA rule book page 398, INTRODUCTION, 1st sentence.
Dang, must be a huge preface!
For those of us who don't invest in such stuff, what is that sentence?
Seeing the publicity that this got in the UK, I'd say his participation would be on one hand, no problem - it's just a masters meet - but on the other bad for swimming as a whole. The public perception appeared to be that Lance was unable to compete in any other sports but "swimming" would take him and as a result, people were questioning whether it is a clean sport. The public don't see the distinction between swimming and masters swimming and drew conclusions like, "he'll be aiming for Rio".
so very hard to find:
this is the 2011 copy only, a little different than my 2013 rule book that is sitting next to the keyboard as i type this.
www.fina.org/.../index.php
INTRODUCTION
Doping Control Rules
| Print |
The FINA Extraordinary Congress in Manchester, England on 8 April 2008, decided to accept the 2007 Code Amendments to the World Anti-Doping Code (the “Code”). These Anti-Doping Rules are adopted and implemented in conformance with FINA’s responsibilities under the Code, and are in furtherance of FINA’s continuing efforts to eradicate doping in the aquatic sports.
What's the worst that can happen, he wins and gets an age group record? It's not like him swimming with us will ruin any livelihoods. Last time I checked, we're all amateurs, we as individuals don't have sponsorships. He wouldn't be hurting anyone. If anything, it'll generate interest for USMS, and get more people to swim. I know FINA would frown upon Olympians swimming against known dopers in Masters Swimming, but honestly, that's FINA's problem and a technicality they need to fix, not USMS. USMS doesn't drug test people, but I guarantee you that in the realm of swimmers ranging from 19 to 100 at varying degrees of health, someone at any given meet is on some sort of perscription medication that FINA bans. If FINA has a problem with that, they should either change their rule or stop world-class swimmers from competing against the weekend warriors. Let the man swim.
While I agree with the over sentiment that you expressed here, we do need to remember that usms has diverted from following FINA in the past.
Good points. Hadn't really thought of those. Yes, USMS does seem to diverge from FINA when it suits them (:)). In the Armstrong case they were clearly looking for a reason to simply follow FINA's lead and avoid controversy.
I believe Lance can enter any non-sanctioned competition per the ban rules. Since nearly every athletic organization in the US (and the world) rolls up to follow some international organization, I was rather surprised that USMS had allowed things to get this far.
Lance had tried to enter the Chicago marathon last fall, but his entry was denied.
Oddly, I'm riding in a cycling tour tomorrow, el Tour de Mesa, and it is a non-sanctioned event. If Lance really wanted to, he could try to enter and ride in that. However, nearly every event has some sort of clause that, "entries are not guaranteed, etc."
If Lance had been allowed to swim, and the whole meet (or at least those events/heats he swam in) were disqualified, I can only imagine all of the complaints we'd have on the forum. Of course they could run a non-sanctioned meet and let Lance do that.
Seeing the publicity that this got in the UK, I'd say his participation would be on one hand, no problem - it's just a masters meet - but on the other bad for swimming as a whole. The public perception appeared to be that Lance was unable to compete in any other sports but "swimming" would take him and as a result, people were questioning whether it is a clean sport. The public don't see the distinction between swimming and masters swimming and drew conclusions like, "he'll be aiming for Rio".
Very good point!
Doping was ubiquitous among Tour riders. He remains one of the greatest athletes on the planet. I for one am disappointed that he will not be allowed to swim.
