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
Frank,
Do we really need to review my opposition to foriegn athletes taking collegiate scholarship money away from US citizens again? Look, if masters had the seriousness element to it that NCAA and USS swimming has (which it doesn't) I'd still support Vlad's swimming efforts in the US on any level as he is genuinely making the US his home...... i.e. a LEGAL residence toward eventual citizenship and further more he is coaching US swimmers and giving his skills to the sport for this country.
Still think this thread is much a do about nothing. Although I do regret not having thought of it first. This thread is going to be one of the top 2 most controversial threads of the year. I have my work cut out for me to find a topic that is more argumentative for the coveted "Most controversial thread" trophy.
John Smith
PS- I used to be known as the most irritating person in masters swimming. I think I prefer "Team Whore" now.
Frank,
Do we really need to review my opposition to foriegn athletes taking collegiate scholarship money away from US citizens again? Look, if masters had the seriousness element to it that NCAA and USS swimming has (which it doesn't) I'd still support Vlad's swimming efforts in the US on any level as he is genuinely making the US his home...... i.e. a LEGAL residence toward eventual citizenship and further more he is coaching US swimmers and giving his skills to the sport for this country.
Still think this thread is much a do about nothing. Although I do regret not having thought of it first. This thread is going to be one of the top 2 most controversial threads of the year. I have my work cut out for me to find a topic that is more argumentative for the coveted "Most controversial thread" trophy.
John Smith
PS- I used to be known as the most irritating person in masters swimming. I think I prefer "Team Whore" now.
