I propose a rule change for the championship committee. If someone misses their heat at USMS Nationals due to general stupidity and day dreaming, they should be allowed to swim in an open lane in that same event.
John Smith
(2006 psuedo champion, 50yd back)
I am all for giving all opportunity for a swimmer to make their heat. And I have been running the table when I have watched my children not pay attention and not get to swim for something I have paid for. And we did not let them, or anyone else swim if it was in the meet information not to let them.
That said, if anyone wants to ask for rule change, fine, but I bet the history of why the rule is in there is because it was causing problems with scoring and slowing down the meet. I also think it does not happen much because the rule is there.
Now the sad fact is, if the starter looked at his heat sheet and saw John Smith, or Dorothyrde, and looked up and saw an empty lane, and looked around and did not see anyone who looked this person, and would not know what the person looked like anyway to even know where to look, they would pause, and then start the heat. If the starter looked down, saw Gary Hall Jr was missing, the advantage the starter has is he/she knows what Gary looks like and would be able to look around and see this person, so yes being famous most certainly would have helped John.
Sounds like John may be famous from now on for this anyway as it sounds like he has taken quite a bit of ribbing! :)
I am all for giving all opportunity for a swimmer to make their heat. And I have been running the table when I have watched my children not pay attention and not get to swim for something I have paid for. And we did not let them, or anyone else swim if it was in the meet information not to let them.
That said, if anyone wants to ask for rule change, fine, but I bet the history of why the rule is in there is because it was causing problems with scoring and slowing down the meet. I also think it does not happen much because the rule is there.
Now the sad fact is, if the starter looked at his heat sheet and saw John Smith, or Dorothyrde, and looked up and saw an empty lane, and looked around and did not see anyone who looked this person, and would not know what the person looked like anyway to even know where to look, they would pause, and then start the heat. If the starter looked down, saw Gary Hall Jr was missing, the advantage the starter has is he/she knows what Gary looks like and would be able to look around and see this person, so yes being famous most certainly would have helped John.
Sounds like John may be famous from now on for this anyway as it sounds like he has taken quite a bit of ribbing! :)
