I just competed (and I use the term loosely) in the 2003 National Senior Games and found it very disappointing to see that Master swimmers have pretty much taken over the awards platform. This event used to be mainly for recreational athletes who either could not or did not want to compete at a higher level. This was our opportunity to have a moment in the spotlight by competing against athletes who were “equal” to our level of skill. Our moment to believe we were the best in our group and to share our victories with our friends.
By coming to this event, you (the Master swimmers) have assured that no one who is a recreational athlete will ever get a medal and you have pushed the minimum standard time so low that many athletes no longer qualify to even come to the National event. In talking with over 85 athletes of various ages, it was generally agreed that within the next few years, this will be “just another Master’s venue”. You already have four National Events EACH YEAR, the SC Yards, SC Meters, LC Meters, and the YMCA Nationals. Why can’t you leave ONE event that takes places every OTHER year for the swimmers who will never be at any of your meets? Out of the 85 swimmers I spoke with, an overwhelming percent said they would probably not go to the event in Pittsburgh, PA since there would probably be more Masters there and no place for them.
I realize that this event is open to all seniors, but I ask you, how would you feel to have your only chance to win a medal taken away by someone who probably has a box full of them? If you look at the times, you will see that that the top three places in nearly all events went to Masters who all hold top 10 times in USMS. So the athletes, who are not Masters, had to settle for ribbons. There were so many disappointed families, friends, and swimmers who had hoped to win a medal and stand on the awards platform and share their shining moment with their families. Instead it was Masters and the majority of them didn’t even bring families. It was “just another meet” for them.
I’m sure I’m going to be made the “bad guy” by writing this, but my mother is 83 years old and watched her medal go to a Master swimmer and my heart broke for her. She may not be here for any future games and she really worked hard to do well, then you guys showed up. Please, leave the recreational National Event for us and be happy with your four events each year.
Former Member
Jack mentioned "sensitivity/marketing training for our elite" - DocG, I would be happy to sponsor you for this seminar. I'm sure that somewhere in your post there were some valid points; however you did nothing to convince Swim2sea (or anyone else) that we, as a group, are not rude.
I've been doing this Masters schtick for 22 years now and I have never heard anyone state their desire to "win, set records and get medals". As a matter of fact, the only people who talk about such things are brand new Masters swimmers who have not yet learned that we do it for 1. fitness, 2. fun and 3. friendship.
The only reason for competing is to see how one measures up to one's own goals and peripherally, the rest of the human race.
My sinister plan as a Master is to outlive everyone...........
Is the issue here rude swimmers or fast swimmers? If the fast swimmers weren't rude, would it be ok for them to attend? If the rude swimmers weren't fast, would it be ok for them to attend?
Does it stand to reason that nice and slow USMS swimmers are the only welcome swimmers at the Senior Games?
Having competed at the recent National Senior Games for the second time, I take offense to the condemning of the better swimmers. I guess I would be considered one of the "elite" swimmers who participated in this event, and I know several of the others who competed in the 50, 55, and 60 age groups. I saw several of them at the Parade of Athletes as well as the party on the evening of the 4th, and we were dancing and enjoying ourselves as much as anyone. I have a few points to make regarding your comments:
1. Anyone qualified to participate in the National Senior Games has already won medals in their Local and State Games, so that argument doesn't hold water. The purpose of the Nationals is to bring together the BEST senior athletes of each state to compete for the title of the BEST in the world. (The NSGA is required to allow athletes from all over the world to compete in order to bill themselves as "The Senior Olympics" but perhaps that distinction should be transferred to the World Masters Games held every two years all over the world, a much more competitive venue than the NSG.)
2. Many of us elite swimmers regularly make USMS Top 10, but few of us ever made the real Olympics. Most make Top 10 but never win medals at USMS Nationals. I take great pride in my gold and silver medals in the Senior Olympics (they are easily the most beautiful medals I've ever won in any competition). If the NSGA wants to exclude the best athletes from this venue, perhaps they should change their name to something more descriptive, such as "The National Mediocre Athlete Games ." (That would effectively keep out the better swimmers.)
3. There are 17 other sports represented in the Games. The winning golfers and bowlers performed at a very high level, as did, I'm sure, the winners in other sports. I guess the organizers could allow only the last two finishers at the state competitions to enter the swimming; and they could limit the bowlers to those who average 120 or less, and golfers who shoot over 110, so the novices have a chance to win gold medals there, too. That would be ludicrous, of course, but that's exactly what you're proposing if you really want people to be able to win medals who don't get to otherwise!
I believe that winning medals is secondary to doing one's best, and there is no better way to encourage people to do their best than by having them compete against someone better than themselves. The real satisfaction is beating your personal goals, not winning medals. Don't quit! Remember, all you have to do is outlast your competition, and the medals will eventually be yours!
Lastly, I would encourage MORE Masters swimmers to compete in future Senior Olympics! It is much more fun than the USMS Nationals, and they have the best medals of ANY championships.
I have been swimming USMS for 13 years; been to Zones a few
times and lots of local and state meets. I am a run of the mill
swimmer in relation to "elite" swimmers. I've had my tail
kicked a million times. I cannot remember meeting a rude swimmer; exuburant, excited, pumped up, psyched,
disappointed, highly competitive, but not rude.
There is no way I am going to let you off the hook with on this. Your post is ridiculous and shameful. If your experience was tainted becuase some of the "elite" masters swimmers were rude, then that is a problem that should be addressed. Tell us who was rude, and what they did. It seems to me that a few INDIVIDUALs are the problem, not a GROUP (ie elite master's swimmers). But if you are suggesting that ALL elite masters swimmers are rude people, then it is YOUR attitude which needs to be adjusted.
You certainly deserve credit for fighting all of your illnesses and tragedies - you are ALREADY a winner - who cares about a few worthless ribbons???
This will be my last post to this issue. I guess maybe the "rudness" we perceived was maybe impatience or something else - I don't know. They were not friendly, didn't join in the fun, but sat on the deck waiting to swim.
At Senior Games, the pace is very slow - we have lots of time between events (so we can rest up), there is dancing, games, etc. going on so the whole thing is very laid back. I spoke to some Master swimmers who said that their meets are very fast paced and serious. Well, we aren't and never will be.
Maybe that is what they were upset about, the slow, slow pace. We (the poor middle of the road swimmers) cannot swim three or four events just back to back. We have to catch our breath. I swim 6 events and in a two day meet, that for me is a lot of swimming.
So if you come to a Senior game meet and expect it to be fast paced and exciting, you are at the wrong pool. We are laid back, funny, slow, and like to enjoy every moment of our unusually long meets.
Thanks, and I'm sorry some you missed the point (DocG). I've enjoyed the board and since I've joined a Master group I guess I'll get some "training" on how to act. Since I don't have a club, coach or pool, it might be hard to teach this old dog new tricks.
Swim2sea admitted she mistook intensity for rudeness. Many people approach competition in different ways. If I've trained months for a big meet I don't especially want to dance and socialize at a meet. I may be focused and quiet. That is certainly not rude.
Your analogy is way off base. Master's swimmers are not paid professional athletes like the Atlanta Braves. We are everyday people who swim, many of us competitively. The Senior Games are also not just a loosey goosey collection of pals paddling around. It is a formal competitive event, regardless of all the frivolity.
Someone mentioned earlier that if the Senior Games don't want Masters, they should just say so up front.
Every single person at every single meet can win something. You can win personal pride, you can win your heat, you can win your age group, you can help your team win, etc. Also, the ability to win is probably directly correlated to your willingness to train to that level of ability.
There is no granted right to show up to anything, be it an athletic competition, a job interview or anything else, and win. It appears this has now come down to feeling entitled to win because you enter a meet. It doesn't work that way. Winning is a whole lot more than sending a check.
If competing is only about winning, then maybe I have the wrong take on competing. I've never once been upset by losing to a better swimmer. It just gives me more motivation. If you've ever competed against Fritz Lehman, you know what I mean.
