Split requests seem to be all the fashion lately. I know they're perfectly legal, though I haven't read the rule itself. I'm wondering about them though ... It seems oddly unfair, for example, that a person never (or rarely) swimming open 50s could hold world or national records or #1 rankings in those events. (I'm just saying it's odd, while recognizing it could be perfectly legal.) But, aside from that and further, what if someone really played the system. What if, for example, someone was after a 50 free record. They entered a meet in the 50, 100, 200, 400, 800 free and led off free relays and requested split requests in each event to try to set a record. Is this legitimate or legal? Would a meet director be bound to accept split requests for all these events? Is there a limit? Do meet directors have discretion to deny multiple split requests? I can see a situation where multiple attempts at a 50 might result in a better time ...
look to the USMS rule book in
section 102.15 DISQUALIFICATIONS at
www.usms.org/.../part1.pdf
there's the rule:
102.15.14 A swimmer who misrepresents a seed time, causing a significant delay of the meet, may be disqualified at the discretion of the referee. The disqualified swimmer shall be removed from the lane as soon as practical.
The way I read this rule is:
If a SLOW swimmer enters a distance event with a fast time they could be charged with delay of meet.
BUT
If a fast swimmer enters an event with a SLOW time, then goes for a split, then swims down and comes in around the same time as those in his heat he would not be charged with delay of meet. so if you're going for a split,
figure out your swim down / legally complete the race pace and enter the event with that time.
look to the USMS rule book in
section 102.15 DISQUALIFICATIONS at
www.usms.org/.../part1.pdf
there's the rule:
102.15.14 A swimmer who misrepresents a seed time, causing a significant delay of the meet, may be disqualified at the discretion of the referee. The disqualified swimmer shall be removed from the lane as soon as practical.
The way I read this rule is:
If a SLOW swimmer enters a distance event with a fast time they could be charged with delay of meet.
BUT
If a fast swimmer enters an event with a SLOW time, then goes for a split, then swims down and comes in around the same time as those in his heat he would not be charged with delay of meet. so if you're going for a split,
figure out your swim down / legally complete the race pace and enter the event with that time.
