A quick question for all of you:
Our state meet is taking place this weekend. The meet entries were cut off last Sunday at 6p.m. The psych sheet was available mid-Monday. About 24 hours later, one of our swimmers found a way to get herself into the meet, despite there being a very strict stipulation regarding no late entries.
She "conveniently" put herself in races where she would place first place without a doubt. In two of the races, she actually knocked her fellow teammates down from first place to second.
Keep in mind that this is not the first time this person has done this, and it should be noted that she repeatedly stated her goal to get "high point" at the meet. According to numerous conversations, she knew she had "missed" the deadline, but failed to seek entry until AFTER the psych sheet came out.
When our coach was notified of this, his reaction was basically, "It's just your time that counts, so I wouldn't worry about points." However, this obviously affects not only the swimmers on her team who were screwed, but other swimmers and other teams who may also be trying to get high point status.
Am I wrong in thinking that this is deceptive at best, and a very clever and manipulative use of a loophole that allows a swimmer to have a very unfair advantage? Is this what USMS has become - winning at any cost? Has anyone else experienced this kind of thing?
I spoke with the state chair and although she was helpful, she stated that because there were no particular rules relating to this (other than Standards of Conduct, which states that all swimmers, "shall conduct themselves with integrity and in a sporting manner.").
Her conduct was unsportsmanlike, and she should not have been allowed to compete.
I also believe that sandbagging and the use of performance enhancing drugs are unsportsmanlike, but I am in the minority.
I spoke with the state chair and although she was helpful, she stated that because there were no particular rules relating to this (other than Standards of Conduct, which states that all swimmers, "shall conduct themselves with integrity and in a sporting manner.").
Her conduct was unsportsmanlike, and she should not have been allowed to compete.
I also believe that sandbagging and the use of performance enhancing drugs are unsportsmanlike, but I am in the minority.
