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.
The organizers should have let the coaches know that any world record attempt on the leadoff leg will not count. I don't know why they didn't anticipate someone trying this. World records have been broken in the Duel, it's a very fast pool and it was pretty close to worlds.
If Phelps had broken the 100 free record, you can bet there would be LOTS of ranting in USA Swimming.
Think of it this way:
The FINA rules say that if the leadoff swimmer in the 400 medley, 400 free or 800 free relays breaks a world/meet/country record, yet the relay is disqualified, the leadoff swimmer's record stands. (SW 12.8)
So, if Ryan Lochte broke Aaron's 100 back record in the prelim relay at worlds, the record would remain even thought the USA relay was disqualified, and therefore, invalid. Basically, FINA is saying Australia's team was invalid, AND Libby's swim did not count.
If it were just a 100 free race between Phelps and Lenton, would the record have counted?
Lots of "what ifs."
The organizers should have let the coaches know that any world record attempt on the leadoff leg will not count. I don't know why they didn't anticipate someone trying this. World records have been broken in the Duel, it's a very fast pool and it was pretty close to worlds.
If Phelps had broken the 100 free record, you can bet there would be LOTS of ranting in USA Swimming.
Think of it this way:
The FINA rules say that if the leadoff swimmer in the 400 medley, 400 free or 800 free relays breaks a world/meet/country record, yet the relay is disqualified, the leadoff swimmer's record stands. (SW 12.8)
So, if Ryan Lochte broke Aaron's 100 back record in the prelim relay at worlds, the record would remain even thought the USA relay was disqualified, and therefore, invalid. Basically, FINA is saying Australia's team was invalid, AND Libby's swim did not count.
If it were just a 100 free race between Phelps and Lenton, would the record have counted?
Lots of "what ifs."
