I'm very upset that the organizers of Big Shoulders decided to politicize the event. Having an image of Barack Obama on the t-shirt and the medal is very unwelcome.
I brought this up with the organizers who simply dismissed my complaint by calling me a Republican. I am not a Republican. I would be just as upset if they had an image of John McCain on the t-shirt and medal.
Don't politicize my sport. Swimming is my small getaway from the crazed ravings of politics.
USMS has heard the concerns expressed about the t-shirts and awards used by the Big Shoulders event organizers. USMS and its Illinois Local Masters Swim Committee issued a sanction to the Big Shoulders race based upon how the competition would be conducted. Event merchandise and awards were not shown to USMS or the LMSC or included in the sanction determination prior to the race.
USMS and its LMSCs do not promote or engage in political or lobbying activities or endorse candidates for office. USMS regrets any unintended association between USMS and the event organizers' decision to use a candidate's image on t-shirts and awards and apologizes to those who were offended by this use.
In addition, this and related threads are being closed. A number of posts have strayed into political discourse and have been deleted (as per USMS policy). The next step would be to ban posters of serious or satiric political posts, however I believe at this point our best course of action is to close the threads and move on. Hopefully everyone has had their opportunity to comment. Please feel free to PM me if you strongly object.
USMS has heard the concerns expressed about the t-shirts and awards used by the Big Shoulders event organizers. USMS and its Illinois Local Masters Swim Committee issued a sanction to the Big Shoulders race based upon how the competition would be conducted. Event merchandise and awards were not shown to USMS or the LMSC or included in the sanction determination prior to the race.
USMS and its LMSCs do not promote or engage in political or lobbying activities or endorse candidates for office. USMS regrets any unintended association between USMS and the event organizers' decision to use a candidate's image on t-shirts and awards and apologizes to those who were offended by this use.
In addition, this and related threads are being closed. A number of posts have strayed into political discourse and have been deleted (as per USMS policy). The next step would be to ban posters of serious or satiric political posts, however I believe at this point our best course of action is to close the threads and move on. Hopefully everyone has had their opportunity to comment. Please feel free to PM me if you strongly object.
