So is my B70 Illegal now?

It also raises an interesting question about USA Swimming observation at USMS meets. We now have the scenario that you can wear a suit in a USMS meet that is observed, and the observed time would not count because of the suit you're wearing. -Rick

WOW ! What a mess?! Will FINA somehow make it clear to us mere mortals??!

Thanks! Very helpful. Guess I'll just bring a few varieties . . . From what Patrick said on the other thread, I don't think it's legal for USMS right now: Since this is a modification to USA Swimming Article 102, the rule change is so amended in USMS rules effective immediately, unless it is painfully rejected or modified (USMS 601.4.7B). That being said, they may choose to state the rest of this differently or interpret it differently, plus the minor issue of how you enforce this.

How about state & not leave room for your own idea of what they mean.

Leslie, the above is NOT an official statement from the USMS organization, so far as I can tell. The ONLY official statement that I've seen so far is the one that Rob sent around. I'm planning on wearing my B70 at a master's meet this Saturday. They'll have to pry it out of my cold, dead fingers... Does USMS have to make an official statement if their rules are automatically modified though?

A word of advice on the suit front... At my most recent USAS meet, I was reminded that the meet refs are people just like the rest of us and they are often just as confused by the current rules for the suits. I spoke with them prior to the session about the suit just to make sure that they were on the same page as me about the current rules for USS (this was a week and a half ago). Turns out that they had not considered what the current ruling was. I thankfully had printed the most recent statement from USAS and they then agreed that the Blueseventy could be worn. It might save you some trouble to bring a printout of the most recent USMS statement on the suits.

Maybe not, but the fact is that they DID make a statement through the president's office. My cold dead fingers and I are taking that statement to trump what has been written earlier. Risky business there, Mel. I would think the automatic rule change would trump Rob's prior statement. Perhaps some USMS guru will come along and say something for those swimming in USMS meets this weekend? I guess, as Justin noted in the other thread, tattletales could have a field day. Ugh!

From what Patrick said on the other thread, I don't think it's legal for USMS right now: Since this is a modification to USA Swimming Article 102, the rule change is so amended in USMS rules effective immediately, unless it is painfully rejected or modified (USMS 601.4.7B). That being said, they may choose to state the rest of this differently or interpret it differently, plus the minor issue of how you enforce this. Leslie, the above is NOT an official statement from the USMS organization, so far as I can tell. The ONLY official statement that I've seen so far is the one that Rob sent around. I'm planning on wearing my B70 at a master's meet this Saturday. They'll have to pry it out of my cold, dead fingers...

Does USMS have to make an official statement if their rules are automatically modified though? Why would an official statement be necessary? To me the official statement has been made.... by USA Swimming. USMS rules state that they shall automatically adopt this change. That said, I think it would be helpful if USMS made a statement. I'd hate to show up at a meet this Sunday with a pair of old tech jammers while everyone is wearing B70's.

Does USMS have to make an official statement if their rules are automatically modified though? Maybe not, but the fact is that they DID make a statement through the president's office. My cold dead fingers and I are taking that statement to trump what has been written earlier.