FINA...in their grand wisdom, has decided NOT to make Libby Lenton's 52.99 as a world record. This has been reported the the Herald Sun out of Australia.
Once again, FINA shows that it is run by politicans, not swimmers or swimming fans.
So, Thank You FINA for once again screwing things up.
I am a little confused about the talk that the record did not count because of drafting. The report says the record did not account because the mixed relay was not an approved fINA event. In the USA rule book it lists recognized distances and strokes. I don't have a FINA book, but it probably has much the same thing. So if the event is not recognized by FINA, anyone else swimming a record, such as Phelps would not have been honored either.
Here's a summary:
1. BEFORE the ruling many speculated it wouldn't count due to Lenton swimming with Phelps in the next lane over (i.e., she got a benefit from drafting).
2. The actual statement by FINA did not mention drafting. It simply stated that the record wouldn't count due to GR 9.6.1.2 which simply states which event are contested at FINA World Championship event.
3. SW 12.1 lists the events for which world records are recognized. The 4x100 meter mixed free relay is not one of them. However, the 100 meter freestyle (obviously) is.
My opinion is that the rules should stand because a. GR 9.6.1.2 does not apply. The Duel in the Pool is not a World Championship meet. My reading of that rule is a simple statement of which events are to be swum at Worlds (and the Olympics). I don't see any statement suggesting that this is a definitive list of events that FINA will recognize. And b. there's some gray area in SW 12.1. We know there's no world record for the 4x100 mixed free relay, but what about a leadoff split?
I am a little confused about the talk that the record did not count because of drafting. The report says the record did not account because the mixed relay was not an approved fINA event. In the USA rule book it lists recognized distances and strokes. I don't have a FINA book, but it probably has much the same thing. So if the event is not recognized by FINA, anyone else swimming a record, such as Phelps would not have been honored either.
Here's a summary:
1. BEFORE the ruling many speculated it wouldn't count due to Lenton swimming with Phelps in the next lane over (i.e., she got a benefit from drafting).
2. The actual statement by FINA did not mention drafting. It simply stated that the record wouldn't count due to GR 9.6.1.2 which simply states which event are contested at FINA World Championship event.
3. SW 12.1 lists the events for which world records are recognized. The 4x100 meter mixed free relay is not one of them. However, the 100 meter freestyle (obviously) is.
My opinion is that the rules should stand because a. GR 9.6.1.2 does not apply. The Duel in the Pool is not a World Championship meet. My reading of that rule is a simple statement of which events are to be swum at Worlds (and the Olympics). I don't see any statement suggesting that this is a definitive list of events that FINA will recognize. And b. there's some gray area in SW 12.1. We know there's no world record for the 4x100 mixed free relay, but what about a leadoff split?
