I just saw an article about the new FINA swim rules and I'm confused about the one relating to swimming unattached in a SCM or LCM meet. The new rule states that if a swimmer does enter a meet as unattached not only will his or her time not count for FINA top ten or a record, but that everyone in the meet will also have their times be unrecognized. Sounds a bit harsh.
Also, backstrokers can no longer finish underwater. How will that be judged? What if your entire body is submerged on the final lunge except for the toes of one foot completing a final kick?
Clarification from our rule gurus please.
Actually, no.
What this does is make FINA think you are on a club when swimming at home meets. USMS still knows you are unattached. Read the last sentence again.
knelson... :) Ha! A&C is right... now back to the fun and games
"Competing while registered with the club Unattached shall not be considered as representing a club for purposes of 201.3.5." you mean that sentence? All that does is refer to 201.3.5 which says "A swimmer shall not represent any club in competition for 60 consecutive days before transferring affiliation to another club, unless this transfer takes place at the time of annual registration. A swimmer may declare unattached status at any time without written application."
So according to this, the only purpose for which "club Unat" is not considered a club is for purposes of allowing a swimmer to not wait the 60 days before transferring to another club. Which makes sense because since club unat is a 'real' club, no one would ever be able to switch in mid-year according to 201.3.5. Sorry.... this actually strengthens the argument that club unat is a 'real' club, or the exception would not have to exist.
Now, if you agree with that logic, please help me understand how USMS 'fooled' FINA into thinking that Unat folks are swimming on a club "when swimming at home meets" (the phrase in quotes, BTW, does not appear to be specified anywhere) and not why it would 'fool' FINA for other purposes where club membership would be required.
Actually, no.
What this does is make FINA think you are on a club when swimming at home meets. USMS still knows you are unattached. Read the last sentence again.
knelson... :) Ha! A&C is right... now back to the fun and games
"Competing while registered with the club Unattached shall not be considered as representing a club for purposes of 201.3.5." you mean that sentence? All that does is refer to 201.3.5 which says "A swimmer shall not represent any club in competition for 60 consecutive days before transferring affiliation to another club, unless this transfer takes place at the time of annual registration. A swimmer may declare unattached status at any time without written application."
So according to this, the only purpose for which "club Unat" is not considered a club is for purposes of allowing a swimmer to not wait the 60 days before transferring to another club. Which makes sense because since club unat is a 'real' club, no one would ever be able to switch in mid-year according to 201.3.5. Sorry.... this actually strengthens the argument that club unat is a 'real' club, or the exception would not have to exist.
Now, if you agree with that logic, please help me understand how USMS 'fooled' FINA into thinking that Unat folks are swimming on a club "when swimming at home meets" (the phrase in quotes, BTW, does not appear to be specified anywhere) and not why it would 'fool' FINA for other purposes where club membership would be required.
