It appears that Swimming World came out with the first Top 12 World Masters Swimmers.
Seems a little strange that there are only 2 people under the age of 50 on this list. Is there an age requirement here that we don't know about?
Where is the Evil Paul Smith's name on this list? He sets at least one National or World Record almost every year.
John Smith
Parents
Former Member
Originally posted by White Buffalo
I would suggest to you that there is very little methodology here. In fact, I wonder how many of the judges or individuals selecting are current swimmers, from what nations, etc.
I don’t know who was on the panel this year. In the past, every single individual on the panel was a registered USMS swimmer. Most of our panelists were active competitors, who participated regularly in the USMS Nationals.
I met and observed a majority of the people who made the list each year -- although there were a few of the people who only participated in local meets (e.g. Barbara Dunbar before last year). For the record, I have attended 19 USMS pool national championships since 1992. From 1998 through 2003, I attended every pool national championship and swam in all but three. In 2003, I was the first person to participate in all 12 USMS national championships in the same year, including every open water championship, all five postals, and both pool nationals. Sorry if that seems like bragging. That's not the intent. I just wanted you to know I was there as much as I could possibly be.
People have their own ideas about how these lists are created. Most of the time, these ideas are very different from the actual process. Having done five "Swimmer of the Year" evaluations for SWIM Magazine, it is very clear to me that a few of the people participating in this discussion have very little idea about the process.
Sorry if that bugs you. I'll do my best to clarify things when necessary.
Originally posted by White Buffalo
I would suggest to you that there is very little methodology here. In fact, I wonder how many of the judges or individuals selecting are current swimmers, from what nations, etc.
I don’t know who was on the panel this year. In the past, every single individual on the panel was a registered USMS swimmer. Most of our panelists were active competitors, who participated regularly in the USMS Nationals.
I met and observed a majority of the people who made the list each year -- although there were a few of the people who only participated in local meets (e.g. Barbara Dunbar before last year). For the record, I have attended 19 USMS pool national championships since 1992. From 1998 through 2003, I attended every pool national championship and swam in all but three. In 2003, I was the first person to participate in all 12 USMS national championships in the same year, including every open water championship, all five postals, and both pool nationals. Sorry if that seems like bragging. That's not the intent. I just wanted you to know I was there as much as I could possibly be.
People have their own ideas about how these lists are created. Most of the time, these ideas are very different from the actual process. Having done five "Swimmer of the Year" evaluations for SWIM Magazine, it is very clear to me that a few of the people participating in this discussion have very little idea about the process.
Sorry if that bugs you. I'll do my best to clarify things when necessary.
