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
Originally posted by Frank Thompson
My observation about the Masters World Championships is that its takes time, committment and money to go on these swimming trips. All the people that attend these championships frequently are not necessarily swimmers that would make a national team. So unless there is funding provided by the masters delegation or a sponsor then I can't see this thing taking off.
Good point about the money aspect of holding a national representative world championships. "Open" Masters World Championships (and, over here, the European Masters Championships) attract several thousands of swimmers and their families. The reason cities volunteer to host these events is not solely due to the desire to see old folks swim against each other, but rather to fill up hotel rooms and get a share of the tourist dollar (or euro).
Secondly, swimming (especially masters) is not a mass-market sport, but about participation. There is no TV money to fund the events and the spectator galleries are full of the participants, not paying fans.
Finally, I'd say, the relays at Worlds are fine the way they are. You do your best and try to beat who's there. If they're too good this year, wait till the Worlds are held somewhere less attractive to visitors from North America, such as Casablanca in 1998 (the location for my only World golds).
It's just a game!
Originally posted by Frank Thompson
My observation about the Masters World Championships is that its takes time, committment and money to go on these swimming trips. All the people that attend these championships frequently are not necessarily swimmers that would make a national team. So unless there is funding provided by the masters delegation or a sponsor then I can't see this thing taking off.
Good point about the money aspect of holding a national representative world championships. "Open" Masters World Championships (and, over here, the European Masters Championships) attract several thousands of swimmers and their families. The reason cities volunteer to host these events is not solely due to the desire to see old folks swim against each other, but rather to fill up hotel rooms and get a share of the tourist dollar (or euro).
Secondly, swimming (especially masters) is not a mass-market sport, but about participation. There is no TV money to fund the events and the spectator galleries are full of the participants, not paying fans.
Finally, I'd say, the relays at Worlds are fine the way they are. You do your best and try to beat who's there. If they're too good this year, wait till the Worlds are held somewhere less attractive to visitors from North America, such as Casablanca in 1998 (the location for my only World golds).
It's just a game!
