I've been following the postings here for a while and I'd like to find out how people feel about the YMCA Nationals. I've participated in the Y-Nationals for years and one thing really bugs me. Every year there are "Ringers" - swimmers who don't actually belong to or swim with a YMCA. They shop around for a Y willing to give them a cheap deal, all so they can swim at the meet. Y-Nationals is supposed to be an event for YMCA members and YMCA's who sponser a team.
I don't undersatnd why a YMCA would sign all the forms for these swimmers and I don't understand why these swimmers feel the need to pretend they are YMCA members.
Does anybody else think this is cheating?
Thanks,
a real YMCA swimmer.
If the meet sets the guidelines for entry, the Y sets the guidelines for membership and the meet is conducted accordingly, what is wrong? What is unethical? What written standards or ethics are violated?
Some of us prefer the best competition. You, obviously, prefer competition of your choosing. I could care less if I get schooled at a meet that allows one-day USMS registration or a ringer who registers with USMS the week before a meet. That doesn't make them less of a swimmer or less of a person.
USMS and Ys aren't about exclusion, they are about inclusion.
I think you should channel all of your negative energy into more productive workouts to allow you to beat the scum-of-the-earth ringers.
If the meet sets the guidelines for entry, the Y sets the guidelines for membership and the meet is conducted accordingly, what is wrong? What is unethical? What written standards or ethics are violated?
Some of us prefer the best competition. You, obviously, prefer competition of your choosing. I could care less if I get schooled at a meet that allows one-day USMS registration or a ringer who registers with USMS the week before a meet. That doesn't make them less of a swimmer or less of a person.
USMS and Ys aren't about exclusion, they are about inclusion.
I think you should channel all of your negative energy into more productive workouts to allow you to beat the scum-of-the-earth ringers.
