I am interested if anyone could shed some light on citizenship/resident requirements in relation to National/USMS relay records. Is it possible for a record setting relay with one or more members of that relay, not being a US citizen(s) or even a resident(s), to be recognized as such?
I've done a little checking on this character Van Baalen. All of my sources are in the public domain.
The primary source is the statistical records of Masters Swimming Canada www3.sympatico.ca/.../ These records are maintained by Christian Berger. Once you get on the site click on Canada 24JUN then the National Rankings 96 - 04 and take a tour around. You'll get the hang of it.
His name appears mostly in the 50-54, 55 - 59 & 60-64 age groups. It also appears that he moved from Ontario to Alberta around 1998.
The second source is a check on http://www.411.ca This confirms that he at least has a residence in Edmonton. The 3rd comes from the Alberta Masters Swimming Club links page. www.albertamasters.ca/.../masters_links.html He is the contact for Edmonton Dragons.
My gut tells me that there is more to this than meets the eye. I believe that the very integrity of records being set using this guy is compromised. This is an ethics issue more than a rules issue.
I'll even go out on a limb and say he's a hired gun.
What is the significance of Vinus Van Baalen being on the relay.(This is not merely academic interest as I was on the relay that held the WR they broke.)
Van Baalen has been getting Top Ten times with SDSM since 1999 so he obviously has ties there. I think it's fine to stay registered with your old team if one wants. Recruiting outside your LMSC seems slimy to me though.
Originally posted by Frank Thompson
I wonder if there will be massive recruiting going on before the meet at Stanford. Just think, you could contact the best masters swimmers in the world and break all of the available relay records. Right now from what your saying Rob, this could be done and is perfectly legal. I think the Smith brothers are already busy recruiting Popov and Bousquet to join their team for the 200 Free relay at World’s. Or were they trying to get Smirnoff and Bordeaux?
Originally posted by Peter Cruise
If you only serve American beer you won't have to worry about any foreigners competing for the award. Geek has solved the dilemma (in his usual unintentional way).
You sure it was unintentional?
Mr Goodsmith:
In your last two posts, you do provide reasons for a change. Right now with the entry booklets and information that is out about the meet at Stanford, the earliest changes that could be made would be at the next World Championships in 2008 and I don't know where those will be held. This stuff is a lot more complex than the super team discussions.
After reading what Mark Gill had to say, I forgot about Nancy Ridout and how as a FINA representative she could bring this up at the FINA meetings and see what the reactions are. They had meetings in Montreal last month and I don't know when the next ones are scheduled.
My suggestion to you is to write up a proposal for changes and give it to your LMSC rerepresentative on the International Committee and that is Peggy Buchannan. See what the USMS International Committee feels about your proposed changes. In fact Mark Gill is on that committee and maybe he can bring it up and make some progress regarding this. Otherwise, if this is not done it will be forgotten.
I think your points are valid except "we can kick some booty like no other country." That statement would have to be pulled. If you could get this on the agenda for the meeting that would be a start.
By the way I am looking forward to that rules change proposal from your LMSC about the eligibility of the National Records at the USAS convention.
If you only serve American beer you won't have to worry about any foreigners competing for the award. Geek has solved the dilemma (in his usual unintentional way).
