Dear USMS Membership,
The Executive Committee met this week and discussed the recent FINA news release. USMS does abide by FINA policies however we recognize that there is much confusion with interpreting and applying the FINA release. In response and until further suit policy clarification is provided by FINA, USMS Board President Rob Copeland issued the following statement. Additionally, the USMS Rules Committee will be meeting on May 31st as they monitor the situation, any new information made available, and the implications it could have on USMS sanctioned events.
Rob Butcher
Executive Director
To: Kathy Kasey, Rules Committee Chair
Marcia Cleveland, Long Distance Committee Chair
Date: May 20, 2009
At this point in time no suits should be listed as banned by U.S. Masters Swimming for pool or open water swimming.
While FINA has listed the 202 approved swimsuits, FINA has NOT listed the 10 suits that have been “rejected for not passing the tests of buoyancy and/or thickness” or made a ruling on the “136 swimsuits to be modified in accordance with “Dubai Charter”." Until FINA provides the definitive list of banned swimsuits and specific actions on the 136, we should not report any suit as banned in a USMS sanctioned event.
If you hear anything from FINA in contradiction to this statement, please inform me as soon as possible. The list of FINA approved suits can be found at: www.fina.org/.../index.php. The FINA press release can be found at: www.fina.org/.../index.php
Rob Copeland
President - United States Masters Swimming
Former Member
At this point in time no suits should be listed as banned by U.S. Masters Swimming for pool or open water swimming.
Ok, so now what if your one of those masters swimmers that mainly competes in USS meets? Im assuming you would have to follow their guidelines and not be able to wear a B70? If I wore one in USS meet, but got dq'd after race for illegal suit but submitted times that could get me a top 10 or whatever, would it count?
...however we recognize that there is much confusion with interrupting and applying the FINA release.
I could have sworn I read 'interpreting' the first time round but I guess some folks will see this as a rude interruption to racing plans.:bolt:
I don't think a "BANNED LIST" would work. Simply because you might get a banned list now, but what would stop adidas/speedo/jaked/et al from just making a completely new rubber suit that we can go buy and wear? Well hey, it isn't banned, right? Then they add that one, then it just goes on and on. I think an "Approved List" as there is now is the only way it can work. Good on ya, FINA
I am fine if USMS says we want to wait and see about the 136 suits under review or for the USA-S ruling and until then all previously approved suits are OK,or all previously approved suits are OK until the end of the year and then we will follow FINA but a middle of the year change is unfair.If we do either then I think we will need a form for officials to certify swims in FINA approved suits for FINA WRs and TTs.
I am not fine with the"if it's not banned it's legal"ruling as that seems a cop out.
We have a relay that is a real threat for the WR and will go for it in July,I'd REALLY like to have this cleared by then.
This just in from Jim Stites (the meet he is refering to is dual sanctioned just like the Cactus Classic).
"All swimmers entered in the Southwest Classic in Tucson must be registered with USA Swimming and must follow all USA Swimming rules."Paul,
In a dual sanctioned meet, entrants must be registered with USA Swimming OR with U.S. Masters Swimming; AND USA Swimming rules will be followed.
Either this meet is only being sanctioned by USA Swimming or the meet referee is confused about the policies that govern dual sanctioned events.
Paul,
In a dual sanctioned meet, entrants must be registered with USA Swimming OR with U.S. Masters Swimming; AND USA Swimming rules will be followed.
Either this meet is only being sanctioned by USA Swimming or the meet referee is confused about the policies that govern dual sanctioned events.
Rob, the Cactus Classic this past weekend also required both...I will look into it a bit further but it brings up again the point that many have made that USMS & USA Swimming should try to work together more in aligning our organizations.
Case in point is our requiments for world record verification...our policies are so out of whack that I think it discourages USA meet hosts from wanting to add a USMS sanction.
Paul,
In a dual sanctioned meet, entrants must be registered with USA Swimming OR with U.S. Masters Swimming; AND USA Swimming rules will be followed.
Either this meet is only being sanctioned by USA Swimming or the meet referee is confused about the policies that govern dual sanctioned events.
So butterfrog is cause for a DQ in a dual sanctioned meet?
Adding to my earlier post, doesn't major league baseball regulate bats?
Aren't bats to baseball what suits are to swimming?Personally, I would see a better correlation to be “Swimsuits are to swimming as uniforms are to baseball” In theory you could conduct a swim meet or baseball game without suits/uniforms. You can’t have a baseball game without bats. Major league baseball regulates uniforms like swimming does suits, but the athlete in either sport does need to perform.
Thanks for sharing this, Chris - an enormous plate of food for thought. It is a complex issue which will require complex consideration, not just an up or down vote on a particular suit. Our beloved sport is indeed at a crossroads.
