Should USMS require record breakers to do drug testing? ...

In the older age groups, there must be a high percentage of Masters swimmers who are using banned substances for legitimate medical reasons. This really is not an accurate statement but keeps appearing on this forum. Sure beta blockers and diuretics are used for hypertension, and bronchodilators are used for asthma and COPD. But you are not going to find Masters swimmers taking anabolic steroids or growth hormone for a legitimate medical reason. And typically it is the dialysis patient or the patient undergoing chemo who will be receiving epo; very few if any of these individuals will be competing at a swim meet.

That's really funny! And we spend too much time on this forum arguing with other people who are similarly obsessed.

I agree. I think for some of us who competed in USA Swimming and college, Masters is a whole different world. I've already done the "swimming is my life" thing and I now enjoy swimming as a small part of my life as opposed to what directs it. For those who didn't swim younger, there may be a few who are as into it now as we were then. But Master's swimming is not equivalent to USA Swimming. To take PED's to set a Master's record does seem a bit pathetic. i wouldn't be so bold as to question one's reasons for wanting to set a master's record. this is not a n endorsement for the use of PED's. 40,000 members = 40,000 different reasons for swimming. i don't think my reasons for swimming (masters) are any less valid than those of any usas or college swimmer. if you have already done the "swimming in your life" may i suggest taking up golf or snooker.

They both are, depending on their attitude du jour. You truly are queen of the one liners of late... ;) Seriously, I wouldn't want testing because there could be rare reasons fro using PED's. Recovery from an illness or infection, or other medical neccessities. It wouldn't be fair to exlcude folks or make them go through hoops to satisfy a handful of other masters that eally give a hoot about the issue (within masters). At the end of the day, if you're using PED's to get ahead in masters, you're only cheating yourself and playing with your health, which is more disturbing since most masters pride themselves on being realtively fit and healthy compared to the average person..

Gull, Just because you devote money and time to an endeavor does not make the results any more significant. Masters swimming exists as an alternative to USA Swimming..... i.e. the real thing. Masters swimming is for fun, racing, health and friends. In that sense..... "It's just Masters Swimming". If anyone truly wanted to take it seriously, they'd step up and swim USA swimming where the competition is real. I agree. I think for some of us who competed in USA Swimming and college, Masters is a whole different world. I've already done the "swimming is my life" thing and I now enjoy swimming as a small part of my life as opposed to what directs it. For those who didn't swim younger, there may be a few who are as into it now as we were then. But Master's swimming is not equivalent to USA Swimming. To take PED's to set a Master's record does seem a bit pathetic.

Masters swimming is for fun, racing, health and friends. In that sense..... "It's just Masters Swimming". fun, racing, health and friends................these things aren't real to you? who's the evil one again?

I'm with John Smith on this one. Anyone using PEDs in Masters is just pathetic. It's not worth the effort to test. If someone feels the need to use illegal drugs to win races and set records in masters swimming I say go for it. Maybe I'd feel different if I set a record and a known drug user beat it, but I honestly don't think I'd be all that upset about it.

who's the evil one again? They both are, depending on their attitude du jour.

Give me a break. We train year round, some of us waking up at 4:30 am every day to get to practice. We invest time and money traveling to swim meets. We buy expensive technical suits. We worry about our tapers. We experiment with dry land routines and cross training. And we spend too much time on this forum arguing with other people who are similarly obsessed. You, Mr. Smith, are not being honest with yourself when you say that it's "just" masters swimming. Gull, Just because you devote money and time to an endeavor does not make the results any more significant. Masters swimming exists as an alternative to USA Swimming..... i.e. the real thing. Masters swimming is for fun, racing, health and friends. In that sense..... "It's just Masters Swimming". If anyone truly wanted to take it seriously, they'd step up and swim USA swimming where the competition is real. Evil Smith, One quick remedy for not rolling back on your heals on the start is to lose 10lbs off your butt. John Smith

"Should USMS do drug testing?" Certainly the should, and for the same reason they have S&T judges to enforce the rules. Every argument about "its only masters swimming" can also apply to allowing one-handed turns and similar ways of cheating. The main difference is the difficulty and expense of testing for PEDs, which makes the logistics formidable. If these tests ever become quick/easy/cheap, then they should be done. And I see no reason why only record-breakers should be targeted.