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
Why doesn't the rest or World's Master Swimmers have the same rules as the USMS?
Why haven't they been changed to match USMS?
Why haven't USMS rules been changed to match the other FINA Master rules?
If we are all following the rules.... what's the problem?
If you don't like it, change it. Either side.
I would very much like this International World meet to be played on an even field with all teams under the same rules and each Nation being able to build their best relays/teams for this World event. It can only help our exposure to Masters Swimming.
Don't you want the best against the best?
We have the club meet rivalry for National competition. It's fun and can be very competitive.
Why can't we try it all? Club competition for Local and National meets and National competition for the World and International meets.
Let the Games Begin.
Why doesn't the rest or World's Master Swimmers have the same rules as the USMS?
Why haven't they been changed to match USMS?
Why haven't USMS rules been changed to match the other FINA Master rules?
If we are all following the rules.... what's the problem?
If you don't like it, change it. Either side.
I would very much like this International World meet to be played on an even field with all teams under the same rules and each Nation being able to build their best relays/teams for this World event. It can only help our exposure to Masters Swimming.
Don't you want the best against the best?
We have the club meet rivalry for National competition. It's fun and can be very competitive.
Why can't we try it all? Club competition for Local and National meets and National competition for the World and International meets.
Let the Games Begin.
