I realize this thread will create a lot of controversy.
Over the past five years I have worked very hard to develop clubs and increase membership in USMS. The very fabric of my work and others in this area is building relationships and comradairre within the LMSC and or Club. Small clubs and large teams are proud of their "elite" swimmers and boast of their successes. With this said, it is very disturbing to me as I read through the FINA World Championships Physch Sheets to see the number of elite swimmers "jumping ship" to other clubs to swim on "elite" relays. If USMS had "Team USMS" I would have no problem with everyone coming together for a team effort. I don't have a problem with four guys coming together who swam in college using the Worlds as reunion of sorts. Where I have problem is the swimmer or swimmers who have been a member of a club or LMSC for years and because of individual egos leaves his team. What this says to me is our "elite" swimmers ego is more important than his or her club. How do you think the other 3 swimmers who normally swims on the relay with the "elite" swimmer feels. We are good enough througout the year, however we are not good enough for the Worlds. Instead of swimming for his or her club so all members of the club can be proud of the "elite" swimmers accomplishments, it is more important to this swimmer he or she represent someone else at the Worlds for personal gratification. If the relay team does win and breaks a WR the record does not show USMS as the record holder, but the name of a club the swimmer transferred too.... what a shame...
It is regretable I bring up this discussion, but it tears at the very fabric of the USMS mission regarding building club or LMSC relationships...I realize what these swimmers are doing is within the rules.. I just think it is wrong.
Mel
Parents
Former Member
I respect your opinion Mel . . . but for a "world championship" meet, if a group of diverse elite swimmers decide to join together in an effort to win or set a world record, more power to them. The choice to do so may or may not be difficult depending on the home team dynamic . . . but I certainly cannot begrudge the elite swimmer for moving in an effort to obtain a relay gold.
I speak as a slower swimmer who understands this dynamic when my teammates invite other faster swimmers to join them at events like the Maui Channel relay. For those to whom competition and winning is a priority, this is the only logical step. I think most of us non-elite folks can accept and appreciate this fact.
my 2 cents.
I respect your opinion Mel . . . but for a "world championship" meet, if a group of diverse elite swimmers decide to join together in an effort to win or set a world record, more power to them. The choice to do so may or may not be difficult depending on the home team dynamic . . . but I certainly cannot begrudge the elite swimmer for moving in an effort to obtain a relay gold.
I speak as a slower swimmer who understands this dynamic when my teammates invite other faster swimmers to join them at events like the Maui Channel relay. For those to whom competition and winning is a priority, this is the only logical step. I think most of us non-elite folks can accept and appreciate this fact.
my 2 cents.
