Losers who daydream and miss their heat

Originally posted by Jeff Commings I wonder ... If this were, oh, Gary Hall Jr. (or even Sr.) missing his heat of the 50 fly because he was gabbing away, would we (swimmers, spectators, officials) allow him to swim in an empty lane in a subsequent heat because -- oops! -- they missed their heat? I have a feeling no one would mind it. Spectators would line the pool as they did in Indianapolis to see Gary churn out a 50 fly. They'd cheer loudly, applaud the amazing time, and fight to make sure it gets recognized as a record/first-place ranking in the meet results. But if it's John Smith, or some guy who is not expected to place, we'll say it's their fault and they should have paid attention. You miss your heat, you miss the event. I don't care if it's 15 years from now and Michael Phelps makes his first USMS nationals appearance and gets stuck taking autographs. Pay attention. You have hours to trash-talk or please your fans after the race. That said, if John wants to lobby for a rule change, so be it. Your feelings are wrong about me Mr. Commings. I don't care if the swimmer is Phelps, Vendt, or Crocker. The bottom line to me is that you have a heat and lane assignment and you had better be there if you want to compete. I am all for giving a few announcements and allowing a minute or so for an absent minded swimmer to get on the blocks (or in the pool in this case) but after that warning period has passed your chance is gone as far as I am concerned. A rule is a rule. The last two sentences of your statement I support wholeheartedly. There will be plenty of time for goofing off after your race and if John wants to lobby for change I support him.

Originally posted by Jeff Commings I wonder ... If this were, oh, Gary Hall Jr. (or even Sr.) missing his heat of the 50 fly because he was gabbing away, would we (swimmers, spectators, officials) allow him to swim in an empty lane in a subsequent heat because -- oops! -- they missed their heat? I have a feeling no one would mind it. Spectators would line the pool as they did in Indianapolis to see Gary churn out a 50 fly. They'd cheer loudly, applaud the amazing time, and fight to make sure it gets recognized as a record/first-place ranking in the meet results. But if it's John Smith, or some guy who is not expected to place, we'll say it's their fault and they should have paid attention. You miss your heat, you miss the event. I don't care if it's 15 years from now and Michael Phelps makes his first USMS nationals appearance and gets stuck taking autographs. Pay attention. You have hours to trash-talk or please your fans after the race. That said, if John wants to lobby for a rule change, so be it. Your feelings are wrong about me Mr. Commings. I don't care if the swimmer is Phelps, Vendt, or Crocker. The bottom line to me is that you have a heat and lane assignment and you had better be there if you want to compete. I am all for giving a few announcements and allowing a minute or so for an absent minded swimmer to get on the blocks (or in the pool in this case) but after that warning period has passed your chance is gone as far as I am concerned. A rule is a rule. The last two sentences of your statement I support wholeheartedly. There will be plenty of time for goofing off after your race and if John wants to lobby for change I support him.