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.
I guess I don’t understand all the fuss.
From a swimmer’s perspective:
1) If I’m a member of a USMS club and I swim in a USMS sanctioned event
A) my times can be counted for USMS and FINA (for meters) top 10 and records,
B) I can swim on relays for my club,
C) I can score points for my club
2) If I’m unattached and I swim in a USMS sanctioned event
A) my times can be counted for USMS and FINA (for meters) top 10 and records,
B) I don’t get to swim on relays
Isn’t this exactly what happens in USMS sanctioned events today?
I'm piping in now after reading the entire forum. Like Rich A., I was baffled by the rule change and naively read it to mean that anyone entering a meet as UNAT would result in all participants' times not being able to qualify for Top Ten consideration. I immediately contacted a friend who was joining USMS for the first time but who practices on her own to find a club to join so she could enter meets without affecting the rest of us. So, I like Rob's summary but it would be clearer if he modified 2A) to say "all swimmers' times, including my own, can be counted for .... Top Ten ...
Now I can tell my new swimming friend she can be UNAT, compete in meets, and not affect others' ability to be counted for Top Ten and records.
I guess I don’t understand all the fuss.
From a swimmer’s perspective:
1) If I’m a member of a USMS club and I swim in a USMS sanctioned event
A) my times can be counted for USMS and FINA (for meters) top 10 and records,
B) I can swim on relays for my club,
C) I can score points for my club
2) If I’m unattached and I swim in a USMS sanctioned event
A) my times can be counted for USMS and FINA (for meters) top 10 and records,
B) I don’t get to swim on relays
Isn’t this exactly what happens in USMS sanctioned events today?
I'm piping in now after reading the entire forum. Like Rich A., I was baffled by the rule change and naively read it to mean that anyone entering a meet as UNAT would result in all participants' times not being able to qualify for Top Ten consideration. I immediately contacted a friend who was joining USMS for the first time but who practices on her own to find a club to join so she could enter meets without affecting the rest of us. So, I like Rob's summary but it would be clearer if he modified 2A) to say "all swimmers' times, including my own, can be counted for .... Top Ten ...
Now I can tell my new swimming friend she can be UNAT, compete in meets, and not affect others' ability to be counted for Top Ten and records.
