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
Wow! did I touch a nerve or something. It seems I have ruffled some feathers.
I am overwhelmed by the enthusasium, the energy, and the passion that many of you have shown in replying to this thread.
First, as I said in my original comments, swimmers " Jumping" from one club to another to put together an "elite" relay is totaling within the rules. I just think it is wrong. However, if FINA allowed countries to put together country teams e.g. "Team USMS" that would be fine, but that is not the rule and therefore we must swim as clubs. Since most of you don't like the rule and think in the FINA World Championships we should swim as countries in Team Events (Relays) then change it. I want to see Mr Abrahams and his new found bonded friends, and John Smith (Team Whore) at the USMS Convention in Dearborn, Michigan in September. I want them to contact Rob Copeland, USMS President, and ask them to put them on the USMS International Committee and when he does show the same passion and reason for swimming the relays to help change the rule. So....if you are passioned about change then do something about it. Do you vote when there is an election or do you say my vote dosen't count and taxes will go up any way and I will find a way to get an extra deduction to make up the difference. If you want change you have to work for it, just don't find an easy way around the rule to accomplish your own personal goals.
Now that I know there is a "Team Whore", I hope you break the record you are seeking, however I have 3 guys on my team and with you we could break any record you set.....So I will be looking for your registration in 2007 to be on the YMCA Indy SwimFit team.
Mel
Wow! did I touch a nerve or something. It seems I have ruffled some feathers.
I am overwhelmed by the enthusasium, the energy, and the passion that many of you have shown in replying to this thread.
First, as I said in my original comments, swimmers " Jumping" from one club to another to put together an "elite" relay is totaling within the rules. I just think it is wrong. However, if FINA allowed countries to put together country teams e.g. "Team USMS" that would be fine, but that is not the rule and therefore we must swim as clubs. Since most of you don't like the rule and think in the FINA World Championships we should swim as countries in Team Events (Relays) then change it. I want to see Mr Abrahams and his new found bonded friends, and John Smith (Team Whore) at the USMS Convention in Dearborn, Michigan in September. I want them to contact Rob Copeland, USMS President, and ask them to put them on the USMS International Committee and when he does show the same passion and reason for swimming the relays to help change the rule. So....if you are passioned about change then do something about it. Do you vote when there is an election or do you say my vote dosen't count and taxes will go up any way and I will find a way to get an extra deduction to make up the difference. If you want change you have to work for it, just don't find an easy way around the rule to accomplish your own personal goals.
Now that I know there is a "Team Whore", I hope you break the record you are seeking, however I have 3 guys on my team and with you we could break any record you set.....So I will be looking for your registration in 2007 to be on the YMCA Indy SwimFit team.
Mel
