Ban the tech suits?

That doesn't mean they are the best thing for the sport. Doesn't mean they are bad for the sport either.

They embrace it because they compete against others who are using the technology. Using new suits or not using is an individual choice. If you don't like racing in them or competing against others that do use them, simple solution... find something else to do. If you want to compete in masters and don't want to spend the money on a tech suit, then don't spend it. Swim only for your pleasure(and don't compare your times with theirs) but don't gripe because others are using tech suits They embrace it because they are supplied free suits. Do you really want to lump all of them into this group? I would be willing to bet a good number of them don't get them for free. They embrace it because times drop and if you are racing you want the lowest time possible. Again, what is the problem with wanting the best possible time? If you ask people 5-10-15 or more years from now, most probably won't remember what suit they were wearing. They will remember their fastest times.

In reviewing this endless discussion, it seems that the people who have the biggest problem with tech suits are those that really wouldn't benefit from them much at all (i.e. slow). Are there any Top 10 swimmers who share the view they are the demise of swimming? From what I've seen, the fastest swimmers have embraced technology changes in the sport. Actually, it's probably that way in all sports. It also strikes me that the fastest swimmers have been swimming since they were kids and therefore have a greater right to claim the purist argument than others, yet don't do so. Maybe the claim of purist is from cheap people who aren't very good to begin with. Random thoughts. They embrace it because they compete against others who are using the technology. They embrace it because they are supplied free suits. They embrace it because times drop and if you are racing you want the lowest time possible. That doesn't mean they are the best thing for the sport.

This is an absurd statement. A fast suit can make a slow swimmer fastER, not fast. If for example the suits produced a 2% advantage like Mark Shubert claimed - then a slow swimmer (lets say 1:10 in 100 SCY free) - would go 1:08.6. What is the cut off? What times make a swimmer slow and what times make that same swimmer fast? Is a swimmer slow at 100.00 and fast at 59.99 for a certain race? Or is a 55.00 slow and a 54.99 fast? Or 50.00 slow and 49.99 fast? Or 45.00 slow and 44.99 fast?

Considering the use of PEDs and tech suits, I really wonder if Phelps really surpassed Mark Spitz's WR set in 1972. Dolphin 2 You mean the record for # of gold medals? In that case, I'd argue that if the suits weren't used (by anyone), Phelps still sets the record. Suit or no suit, the man is fast.

You and His Royal Highness need to get a room and see who can come up with the most stupid sports statement. I'd give you the slight edge but at least The King can swim.

PWOLF66: Those are my thoughts exactly.

The whole sport of swimming would be better off if the so called tech suits were just dumped all together. When there are so many variables associated with "personally applied devices", the world's records set by swimmers (such as Michael Phelps in 2008) become highly questionable as to their legitimacy. At some near point, these WRs will be considered as artificial achievments. Considering the use of PEDs and tech suits, I really wonder if Phelps really surpassed Mark Spitz's WR set in 1972. Dolphin 2 Ohhhhhh Myyyyyy Gooooooooooood I seriously can not believe that you are just that friggin clueless. Do you participate in ANY sports? Because this argument can be applied to ANY sport that has ever been. Advances happen. Golf? Yep, happens here. But wait let's throw out all the 'modern' records because they're not using wooden clubs. Motor sports? Hmm. Throw em out because they're not using sheet steel and hard rubber tires. Tennis? Not using wooden rackets....GONE Cycling? Using graphite and titanium? C'YA!!!! back to the 1900's with you. Skiing? Using specially developed compounds instead of melted candles? BANNED. American Football? Lighter safety equipment? Stronger helmets? Face masks? BANNED!!!!! Hockey? Lighter stronger skates? Puh-leeze. Soccer? Lighter, special purpose 'boots'? outta here. Horse racing?....hmm that might be the exception. Bowling? Better lane conditioning machines? Better cover stock on bowling ball? the BOOT for you. Then let's go to the 'games' Pool? Stronger, lighter cues, better chalk, better table construction. BANNED!!!! Any card game? Plastic Cards? Laminates? BRING BACK THE WOOD!!!!! And you can only compare achievements in a specific era with the competition IN THAT generation. Comparing how fast person X was to how fast person Y is is at best difficult because, get this.....they competed in 2 DIFFERENT generations!!!!!!! Just the physiological and nutritional differences are enough to nullify any comparision. Apples to apples not apples to carrots. I honestly believe that you just get your kicks from being a troll because there is apparently nothing else in your sad little existance that you have going for you. I broke my promise to myself to disregard your ravings. I hope that I can resist the idiocy in the future.

I am curious however who checked the last option (survey says 5 responders): * NO,in fact make them manditory I said that to offset the response from the dipdong.

Hasn't this discussion gone on long enough, can't we just let this die? Just agree to disagree. I am curious however who checked the last option (survey says 5 responders): * NO,in fact make them manditory If it had to shell out $300+ for a suit to do a meet, or skip a meet, my choice would be made for me well in advance. But I guess that's a good way to weed people out of meets, and make them shorter.