Doesn't matter if it was a joke or not, or how old a person is, or whether they consent or not. In this day it is unacceptable. Certainly an adult could handle the psychological stress and put the incident into perspective of this is just fun and games better than a kid. But teens and kids, especially young teens, are far too impressionable and their hormones are far to rampant to deal with such nonsense in a rational adult manner. Imagine yourself as a kid or teen, having swam a super tough workout, being dog tired, physically and mentally, maybe for several days in a row, then finding out you are to be executed for your performance. And if other swimmers were expected (or forced) to take part in this... it could be just as stressful on them.
One other thought, ever heard anyone say I thought the gun was empty? Or, I didn't realize it was a real gun. I bet even starting pistols could inflict some kinda injury if held right up against the head. Make you go deaf for awhile if nothing else.
Lainey
Doesn't matter if it was a joke or not, or how old a person is, or whether they consent or not. In this day it is unacceptable. Certainly an adult could handle the psychological stress and put the incident into perspective of this is just fun and games better than a kid. But teens and kids, especially young teens, are far too impressionable and their hormones are far to rampant to deal with such nonsense in a rational adult manner. Imagine yourself as a kid or teen, having swam a super tough workout, being dog tired, physically and mentally, maybe for several days in a row, then finding out you are to be executed for your performance. And if other swimmers were expected (or forced) to take part in this... it could be just as stressful on them.
One other thought, ever heard anyone say I thought the gun was empty? Or, I didn't realize it was a real gun. I bet even starting pistols could inflict some kinda injury if held right up against the head. Make you go deaf for awhile if nothing else.
Lainey
