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
Mel,
P-LEASE. This argument is ridiculous and childish. If Paul, Greg Rhodenbaugh, Rich Saeger and I want to try to break a World Record in one or two of the relays at Worlds, who would really oppose this effort? My god it's hard enough to find 4 guys our own age to show up at nationals let alone 4 very fast guys. We've all known each other at one level or another for over a quarter of a century. 6 months ago we got on the phone and tried to make something amusing and worthwhile happend at Worlds. It keeps us motivated in a small way. None of us wants to be the fat slow poke on the relay. Really, I mean what kind of person would outright oppose us getting together for this kind of an event ? I have met no one that has opposed our intended effort so far. The fact that we had to go unattached and then join another team to make it happen is just an administrative a pain in the butt. USMS should allow all USMS swimmers to represent a Team USMS at Worlds automatically.
Mel, this is going to be an amusing and entertaining event for all of us. We all laughed and smiled when Rowdy dove in for Colorado Masters with Paul, Robert-Paul and I to break the 200yd free relay at Indy several years ago. It was a lot of fun to see Rowdy swim fast again. It's the same thing here at Worlds.
I have been a "team whore" in the past and swum for Dallas Aquatic Masters, Longhorn Masters, unattached, and Colorado Masters. I will continue to swim with my friends.... regardless.
John Smith
Mel,
P-LEASE. This argument is ridiculous and childish. If Paul, Greg Rhodenbaugh, Rich Saeger and I want to try to break a World Record in one or two of the relays at Worlds, who would really oppose this effort? My god it's hard enough to find 4 guys our own age to show up at nationals let alone 4 very fast guys. We've all known each other at one level or another for over a quarter of a century. 6 months ago we got on the phone and tried to make something amusing and worthwhile happend at Worlds. It keeps us motivated in a small way. None of us wants to be the fat slow poke on the relay. Really, I mean what kind of person would outright oppose us getting together for this kind of an event ? I have met no one that has opposed our intended effort so far. The fact that we had to go unattached and then join another team to make it happen is just an administrative a pain in the butt. USMS should allow all USMS swimmers to represent a Team USMS at Worlds automatically.
Mel, this is going to be an amusing and entertaining event for all of us. We all laughed and smiled when Rowdy dove in for Colorado Masters with Paul, Robert-Paul and I to break the 200yd free relay at Indy several years ago. It was a lot of fun to see Rowdy swim fast again. It's the same thing here at Worlds.
I have been a "team whore" in the past and swum for Dallas Aquatic Masters, Longhorn Masters, unattached, and Colorado Masters. I will continue to swim with my friends.... regardless.
John Smith
