Why is it that Masters level swimmers who participate in USS sanctioned meets under a separate USS registration can't have their times automatically qualify for USMS rankings and USMS National records? What is the reason for this separation? The rules with USMS and USS seem parallel enough to allow USS swims to qualify under USMS ranking and records. Do we care if elite older swimmers in their 30's (say Gary Hall Jr.) effectively end up owning the USMS national record by default? Is USMS afraid of merging to closely with USS? Why wouldn't USMS want to recognize the true best performance by and old man/women in the pool regardless of whether their card said USS or USMS on it?
John Smith
Parents
Former Member
I agree with Paul & Leslie. I feel privileged to compete in the same pool as some of these extraordinary swimmers of all ages and the less artificial barriers are erected to record their performances, the better.
I felt that way when I started swimming masters in 84-85 and still feel the same way. What has also happened over the past twenty years is that I have developed a great appreciation for all the remarkable people who I have met through masters who are not elite but have overcome adversity in one form or another just to compete at their own level. Whatever we can do to make people of all levels feel included is a good thing. Not an official FINA objective, however, I fear.
I agree with Paul & Leslie. I feel privileged to compete in the same pool as some of these extraordinary swimmers of all ages and the less artificial barriers are erected to record their performances, the better.
I felt that way when I started swimming masters in 84-85 and still feel the same way. What has also happened over the past twenty years is that I have developed a great appreciation for all the remarkable people who I have met through masters who are not elite but have overcome adversity in one form or another just to compete at their own level. Whatever we can do to make people of all levels feel included is a good thing. Not an official FINA objective, however, I fear.
