So, Masters swimming is not "real" swimming? Interesting perspective....I think most around here would probably disagree with that.
Tracy there is no question that training/racing in masters in a very sense is "real" for the vast majority of people that participate.
However if you have read any of the quotes from people like SVDL, Caroline Krattli, and anyone else who participated in swimming either via college or USS swimming the focus has shifted about 180 degree's from what was "real" to what is "fun".
If at one point the focus was National cuts or a national team, or OT or NCAA finals and you are dedicated to that full time than it is indeed "real" vs. what we do now. Not to dimmish or in any way insult those who are very motivated in USMS...just a very different reality...and in regard to a discussion about Dara makes sense.
And for the record...JS dodged me in the 200 knowing he would go down in flames...he had already tried to sabotage me after getting Laura & I sick a couple of weeks ahead of time and since that didn't sideline me he ran!!
Frank,
That 50 back was amusing in retrospect. As for my 200 free.... well if Dara scratched her events in advance of the Trials and didn't make the team, we'd be having a different discussion. But that's not whats happening.
As for comparing masters swimming in general to real swimming and the Olympic Games.......... that's a joke. I won't even go there.
Call me old fashioned but I expect anyone who finishes 1st or 2nd in the final heat of the Olympic trials (particularly the 1st place qualifier) to step up and represent their country in that event at the Games. Sending the 3rd place finisher does not maximize the US team's showing in that event. It is an honor and a responsbility to make the team. It is not about personal preferences on what you do and do not want to swim after you make the team.
Backing off on an event because it will make you tired or you don't feel up to it is simply disappointing. If Dara had a monster lineup like Phelps and Lochte, I'd agree with you. Dara has clearly shown she can stand up next to anyone half her age. I don't buy the too tired crap and saving up for the 50.
Again, we will have to agree to disagree.
John Smith
Call me old fashioned but I expect anyone who finishes 1st or 2nd in the final heat of the Olympic trials (particularly the 1st place qualifier) to step up and represent their country in that event at the Games. Sending the 3rd place finisher does not maximize the US team's showing in that event. It is an honor and a responsbility to make the team. It is not about personal preferences on what you do and do not want to swim after you make the team.
Backing off on an event because it will make you tired or you don't feel up to it is simply disappointing.
Well said. I agree with this, even though I don't agree with Mr. Smith in general on Dara.
She is an aging sprinter - but she is a friggin fast sprinter. She will get massages every hour. She will have amino acid supplements. She might have her own hyperbaric chamber to replenish oxygen. So I think she can do 3 more 54 second races in two days.
Frank,
That 50 back was amusing in retrospect. As for my 200 free.... well if Dara scratched her events in advance of the Trials and didn't make the team, we'd be having a different discussion. But that's not whats happening.
As for comparing masters swimming in general to real swimming and the Olympic Games.......... that's a joke. I won't even go there.
Call me old fashioned but I expect anyone who finishes 1st or 2nd in the final heat of the Olympic trials (particularly the 1st place qualifier) to step up and represent their country in that event at the Games. Sending the 3rd place finisher does not maximize the US team's showing in that event. It is an honor and a responsbility to make the team. It is not about personal preferences on what you do and do not want to swim after you make the team.
Backing off on an event because it will make you tired or you don't feel up to it is simply disappointing. If Dara had a monster lineup like Phelps and Lochte, I'd agree with you. Dara has clearly shown she can stand up next to anyone half her age. I don't buy the too tired crap and saving up for the 50.
Again, we will have to agree to disagree.
John Smith
So, Masters swimming is not "real" swimming? Interesting perspective....I think most around here would probably disagree with that.
And you are trying to say that you would take the chance of blowing a possible medal opportunity just to swim another event? Wouldn't that actually be more selfish then not swimming it...."I am going to throw away a medal opportunity for my country and myself because I am going to swim this other event that I know is going to make me tired."
I actually would agree with you if this was a points type meet.....but since the only thing that counts in the Olympics is 1, 2 and 3. I just don't see it.
Well said. I agree with this, even though I don't agree with Mr. Smith in general on Dara.
She is an aging sprinter - but she is a friggin fast sprinter. She will get massages every hour. She will have amino acid supplements. She might have her own hyperbaric chamber to replenish oxygen. So I think she can do 3 more 54 second races in two days.
I would challenge you to do exactly what you are asking her to do. At 40+ years of age, swim the Olympic schedule yourself.....giving max effort to each race and see how you feel....
Three possibilities:
1) She is afraid that swimming the 100 will adversely affect both her performance in the relay(s), thus jeopardizing the team's medal chances, and her performance in the 50, jeopardizing her best chance for an individual medal.
2) She is afraid that a nonmedal performance in the 100 will adversely affect her marketability.
3) She knows that she cannot risk using growth hormone during the Olympics and doesn't think she can recover adequately without it.
I don't understand, she has been working for an individual medal for years. She gets a chance to win 2 and drops out. If she could win two, she would be a hero. I smell something besides fish in the water.
I don't understand, she has been working for an individual medal for years. She gets a chance to win 2 and drops out. If she could win two, she would be a hero. I smell something besides fish in the water.
She has gone 53.78 for the 100 which places her 7th in the world right now for the year...she will more than likely need to drop a half a second just to medal.....with her start and turn being a known problem it's possible but not likely....where as in the 50 she has gone 24.25 which places her 5th in the world so far this year....where she only needs to drop .1 to .2 to possibly medal....granted .1 or .2 in a 50 is still pretty hard to drop at that level but it's easier than .5 in a 100 when you know your start and turn are questionable. At least that is the way I see it.....and I have been wrong before!!! :doh:
