There has been a lot of discussion since Athens about foreign swimmers training in the United States. Most of them attend U.S. Universities, receive athletic scholarships, and compete at NCAA's. Some notable examples include Duje Draganja (Cal), Fred Bousquet and Kirsty Coventry (Auburn), Markus Rogan (Stanford), and the South African sprinters (Arizona). Some train in the U.S., but don't compete for a university (Inge de Bruijn). All of these athletes benefit from U.S. coaching, from training with U.S. swimmers, and in some cases, from financial support provided by U.S. entities (athletic scholarships). They all turn around and then win medals for other countries.
A couple questions: 1) What do you think about this arrangement generally? 2) Is it of benefit or detriment to U.S. swimming to have these foreign athletes training and competing here? 3) Should we be giving athletic scholarships, which are a scarce resource in swimming, to foreign athletes who will represent their own countries internationally instead of U.S.-born swimmers who will represent us internationally?
I'm sure there are other issues, but these come directly to mind.
Parents
Former Member
Originally posted by BillS
Sam, John, et. al.:
Referring to a fine swimmer like Mr. Bousquet as "Freddie Biscuits" or "Fred Buckets" diminishes your otherwise valid arguments.
The central point of debate is whether the folks in charge of handing out swimming scholarships should limit the award of them, or at least accord preference to, US athletes. A foreign athlete has no control over the mechanics of our scholarship process. I think most of us here would argue that the US offers the finest combination of educational and sporting opportunities in the world. It is the rare foreign athlete who would turn down a full ride at a program like Auburn's. Demeaning a great athlete does not help make your point.
In a debate, always look for the high road, and avoid the cheap shot. Your argument will be more effective for it.
Lighten up. I didn't know how to correctly spell his name and MS doesn't have a spell check for Bousquet!
If referring to someone as a lighthearted JOKE diminishes what they have accomplished, then we all are guilty of that at sometime or other in our life. Give me a break...
Originally posted by BillS
Sam, John, et. al.:
Referring to a fine swimmer like Mr. Bousquet as "Freddie Biscuits" or "Fred Buckets" diminishes your otherwise valid arguments.
The central point of debate is whether the folks in charge of handing out swimming scholarships should limit the award of them, or at least accord preference to, US athletes. A foreign athlete has no control over the mechanics of our scholarship process. I think most of us here would argue that the US offers the finest combination of educational and sporting opportunities in the world. It is the rare foreign athlete who would turn down a full ride at a program like Auburn's. Demeaning a great athlete does not help make your point.
In a debate, always look for the high road, and avoid the cheap shot. Your argument will be more effective for it.
Lighten up. I didn't know how to correctly spell his name and MS doesn't have a spell check for Bousquet!
If referring to someone as a lighthearted JOKE diminishes what they have accomplished, then we all are guilty of that at sometime or other in our life. Give me a break...
