Olympian Masters ?

"....has been competitively swimming since age eleven, has held several world records in the backstroke, as well as state records, and has been ranked top ten in USMS. She was an ex-Olympian (alternate)...." The above quote comes from this web site, which is a travel & tourism web site for Honduras: www.marrder.com/.../travel.html I wouldn't take their "world records" statement too seriously. Writers are known to use that term rather loosely, just like we've seen with the descriptor "Olympic-sized pool". Plus, the world record progressions are easily found here: www.olympic.org/.../level2_uk.asp Anna Lea

Hi Ian, (and Kirk), Thanks for clarifying that about George. I've never doubted the authenticity of his claims. His achievements however were challenged by some former posters in a thread dating several years back. Obviously the potential for being lost in the cracks is very possible when transferring data from paper to digital. His story could have been another example of no internet proof...no validity to the claim. I don't know how he would have taken the news that his swimming career was just a figment of his imagination. Fortunately his team mate had documented the results from their swimming days. By the way Paul, that was a very thoughtful post. Very well said.

People have shown their true colors on this thread. Both sides in this argument have been ardent in their convictions. Only one side has been purposefully cruel. While I hope, like Quicksilver, that Donna is simply taking a break, I would understand if she's knocking the dust of this place off her sandals for good. What a sad, sad day.

To follow up on what Ian wrote, is that alternating, current? Sorry, Canadian sense of humour, ignore as usual.

Call me cruel, but I find the victim thing hard to swallow. Unaltered, original meet results, rankings and record progressions are widely available from reliable sources like the International Swimming Hall of Fame, USA Swimming, and Swimming World Magazine. The whole thing would be much less disturbing to me if there was one matching reference, but there isn't. Let's get back to Olympians. Rowdy Gaines was a phenomenal speaker and clinician at the USOTC Camp a couple years ago. I hope he talks about Masters swimming during the Olympic broadcasts from Beijing. If Dara makes it, Masters is part of the story of her comeback.

Plus, the world record progressions are easily found here: www.olympic.org/.../level2_uk.asp There's no reason to doubt the validity of the recordings. But human error can and does happen. Just an example...Our fellow forumite geochuck (from north of the border) relates all of his victories in great detail. There's no reason to doubt his stories about friendships or experiences with some of the greatest names in swimming. And oddly enough, his swimming accomplishments don't appear to have been recorded in documents anywhere on the web. If it's not on paper, or transposed into computer format by FINA, does it mean that it never happened? Apparently the answer seems to be yes.

Dara makes it, Masters is part of the story of her comeback. Dara...ok now let's see. documented proof of passing drug testing, yet STILL people say she's dirty...just goes to show you...people will make their own calls. If Donna was after $ I'd be inclined to say that she would be more inclined to have a motivation to make this up. So the Jury is out. While I believe Donna, I concede that without paper proof, there will always be detractors. Frankly, I don't give a cuss about whether she was or wasn't an Olympian. It's not like she mentioined it in every post for some self promoting reason. I don't even think Donna mentioned it on the forums first anyway. Lastly, do you believe everything you read, or hear? I don't unless I was there. This is not a knock at Gail and her official USMS records, she is just the keeper of what info there is out there.

If it's not on paper, or transposed into computer format by FINA, does it mean that it never happened? I'd say "yes" to that question if there was sufficient supporting material to verify what really happened. :rolleyes: ennnnnywho... :bolt:

This is not a knock at Gail and her official USMS records, she is just the keeper of what info there is out there.Gail’s role with USMS History and Archives goes beyond just the keeper of what information is out there. Gail is more of a true historian. In all claims of Masters Swimming Olympians, Gail verifies these against published documents of USA Swimming (and its predecessors: USS, AAU, etc.) as well as the USOC and USOA. In fact, the USOA has strongly urged Gail to actively and publicly refute any claim of “Olympians” that can not be verified by USOC or USA Swimming. So if anyone may wish to vilify Gail, please remember that 1) she is acting as any good historian should, 2) she is trying to follow the directives of the USOA and the direction of USMS, and most importantly 3) Gail is a volunteer, who has led the effort to track down and document nearly 200 Masters Olympians and is giving of herself to USMS in an effort to help maintain our history. Gail, I for one thank you for all you are doing for United States Masters Swimming!:applaud: :applaud: :notworthy: :notworthy: :applaud: :applaud: I'm curious as to what the technical definition of an 'alternate' is? Do they still have them? Has the definition changed over time? Are the rules listed somewhere?I suggest you contact the USA Swimming national office in Colorado Springs for this information. The current Olympic team selection process is on their website. And previous selections processes should be available by request from USA Swimming.

O good grief, give it a rest already, just having a bit of fun, it's not the end of the world or worthy of such angst. But, I'm happy you at least quoted someone correctly in this thread (me in this case). Lighten up about this forum, just a bit. We're just having fun and you yourself have said repeatedly how much you enjoy a good round of smack-talk. Time to practice what you preach. Gail is doing her job as a historian. Donna is doing her job in proving her point. It's not armageddon or Orwellian. I'm not sure we could consider Gail to be a good historian if she relaxed standards for friends on this forum. I hope everyone has fun at the swim meet today. Oh good grief, that's really rich, coming from you. Maybe you should practice what you preach. I stand by my statements regarding Gail. The clear import of her posts was to call Donna a liar, and they were unnecessary and inappropriate where they were made. But I'm glad you posted bright and early on a controversial thread just to scold me yet again, tell me how to behave, and to wish us well at our meet. Much fun was had by all, as usual. I noticed the same omissions that Michigan Husker did.