Can someone explain to me why the latycar issue isn't a simple matter of determining whether the meet has an appropriate sanction from a duly authorized body? Surely there should be documentation that answers that question?
This issue has just erupted up here north of the border and frankly I don't understand it.
Parents
Former Member
The President of ASUA (Amatuer Swimming Union of the Americas), which is the regional arm of FINA, issued a letter to the NGB (national governing bodies) in the Americas stating that the Brazilian Swim Federation had not sanctioned the masters events at LatyCar. He then advised the NGB to inform their athletes of FINA GR (General Rule) 4.5, which provides for at least a one year suspension from FINA (and therefore any affliated NGB) and upto two year suspension upon review by FINA. With the upcoming FINA Masters World Championships in Stanford California USA in August 2006, many athletes and NGB are concerned about the possibility of eligibility for upcoming events. Therefore, many athletes have withdrawn from the events at LatyCar.
Although the statement is true in the letter, it is misleading. The Brazilian Swim Federation does not directly sanction any masters events, but instead the Brazilian Masters Swim Organization(s) issue the sanctions and run the competition. The timing of the letter is also interesting, since it was issued that day after registration closed. With only weeks before the competition, athletes with significant financial investiment to attend the competitions (airfare, hotels, leisure travels after LatyCar, etc) had to react quickly to recover deposits or amend their travel plans.
If you visit the LatyCar website, LaytCar has written a letter to the head of FINA to try to clarify the situation.
Two other factors may be involved. ASUA held its first master competition in June 2006 and it was poorly attended. LatyCar has consistently had good attendence at events; and has help grow the masters sports in the Latin and Carrebean countrys. Second, FINA has never issued a suspension against a masters athlete under GR 4.5, as far as we have been able to discover. If these suspension are issued, it might be >1000 athletes.
LatyCar and ASUA in direct competition for athletes in their regional events. The FINA GR 4.5 was designed to protect FINA from other non-affliated organizations or involvement with affliated Members (NGB) which are under sanction/suspensions (like South Africa and China for a number of years in the past) generally due to the politics, more than the sports.
These are the facts as I know them.
Anthony Thompson
The President of ASUA (Amatuer Swimming Union of the Americas), which is the regional arm of FINA, issued a letter to the NGB (national governing bodies) in the Americas stating that the Brazilian Swim Federation had not sanctioned the masters events at LatyCar. He then advised the NGB to inform their athletes of FINA GR (General Rule) 4.5, which provides for at least a one year suspension from FINA (and therefore any affliated NGB) and upto two year suspension upon review by FINA. With the upcoming FINA Masters World Championships in Stanford California USA in August 2006, many athletes and NGB are concerned about the possibility of eligibility for upcoming events. Therefore, many athletes have withdrawn from the events at LatyCar.
Although the statement is true in the letter, it is misleading. The Brazilian Swim Federation does not directly sanction any masters events, but instead the Brazilian Masters Swim Organization(s) issue the sanctions and run the competition. The timing of the letter is also interesting, since it was issued that day after registration closed. With only weeks before the competition, athletes with significant financial investiment to attend the competitions (airfare, hotels, leisure travels after LatyCar, etc) had to react quickly to recover deposits or amend their travel plans.
If you visit the LatyCar website, LaytCar has written a letter to the head of FINA to try to clarify the situation.
Two other factors may be involved. ASUA held its first master competition in June 2006 and it was poorly attended. LatyCar has consistently had good attendence at events; and has help grow the masters sports in the Latin and Carrebean countrys. Second, FINA has never issued a suspension against a masters athlete under GR 4.5, as far as we have been able to discover. If these suspension are issued, it might be >1000 athletes.
LatyCar and ASUA in direct competition for athletes in their regional events. The FINA GR 4.5 was designed to protect FINA from other non-affliated organizations or involvement with affliated Members (NGB) which are under sanction/suspensions (like South Africa and China for a number of years in the past) generally due to the politics, more than the sports.
These are the facts as I know them.
Anthony Thompson
