New Organization for Adult Swimmers

I used to compete in racewalking and every once in a while, someone has attempted something similar to this. In one case, a person started an organization and appointed "national team members" - this despite the fact that only USA Track & Field is recognized by the IAAF to do so. It was about making that person money and gave very little back to the discipline as a whole. Currently there is an organization funded by a wealthy individual that is attempting to control racewalking in the US (via money) and all it is doing is tearing it apart. After reading the web site, I guess I came away thinking "So what?" At best the rationale for the organization is vague as are the wonderful improvements it offers over USMS. It is not compelling in any sense. Concerning "world records up for grabs:" I swam a "blazing" 6:48-something for 500 yds recently in a meet and would die of embarassment to see it listed as an age 46 "world record." There's nothing wrong with swimming 6:48 for 500 yards, but a world record, it ain't. Again, going back to racewalking, that event used to have national records at all kinds of strange distances (e.g. 4 km, 75km), but can anyone name the last person to hold the US National 4 km or 75 km records today? (Actually, I can. E-mail me if you won't sleep tonight without knowing.) Again, "So what?", but I've never subscribed to Milton's idea that it is better to rule in Hell than serve in Heaven. So, good luck, Dr. Bell. I'd really like to see this usher in a golden age of enlightened peace through swimming, but I rather doubt that happening. Fair warning: When I seize power and am acclaimed supreme ruler of all swimming there will be no pool races. (Especially not the 500 yards.) Everything will be open water, distances of no less than 1 mile and you will NOT be allowed to wear a wetsuit.

I used to compete in racewalking and every once in a while, someone has attempted something similar to this. In one case, a person started an organization and appointed "national team members" - this despite the fact that only USA Track & Field is recognized by the IAAF to do so. It was about making that person money and gave very little back to the discipline as a whole. Currently there is an organization funded by a wealthy individual that is attempting to control racewalking in the US (via money) and all it is doing is tearing it apart. After reading the web site, I guess I came away thinking "So what?" At best the rationale for the organization is vague as are the wonderful improvements it offers over USMS. It is not compelling in any sense. Concerning "world records up for grabs:" I swam a "blazing" 6:48-something for 500 yds recently in a meet and would die of embarassment to see it listed as an age 46 "world record." There's nothing wrong with swimming 6:48 for 500 yards, but a world record, it ain't. Again, going back to racewalking, that event used to have national records at all kinds of strange distances (e.g. 4 km, 75km), but can anyone name the last person to hold the US National 4 km or 75 km records today? (Actually, I can. E-mail me if you won't sleep tonight without knowing.) Again, "So what?", but I've never subscribed to Milton's idea that it is better to rule in Hell than serve in Heaven. So, good luck, Dr. Bell. I'd really like to see this usher in a golden age of enlightened peace through swimming, but I rather doubt that happening. Fair warning: When I seize power and am acclaimed supreme ruler of all swimming there will be no pool races. (Especially not the 500 yards.) Everything will be open water, distances of no less than 1 mile and you will NOT be allowed to wear a wetsuit.