Open the Masters Records?

I understand what you're saying. And I too think it would be great exposure for USMS to have these guys, and indeed Rowdy (who just seems to be an overall nice guy) swim Masters. I'm not trying to exclude anyone. But I think that's the line. IMHO, they (Lezak, et al) should have to swim in USMS meets to get USMS records. If that is the goal (which I doubt). To be honest, I have so little respect for FINA that I don't really care about the world records. I realize someone needs to keep track, I just don't know if they are the best organization for that (they can't even regulate swimsuits!). Overall, it would make sense to have straight age-group records in the sport of swimming. However, the circumstances are quite different for elite USA-S swimmers and elite Masters. Lezak, et al., are paid to swim (housing, food, endorsements). They are still "real" swimmers, in that, that is what they do. That is a main focus in their life, and in fact, for some, their livelihood. Many of the USA-S elite swimmers do not have "real" jobs, or families (children that they are raising, to be clear; of course, except for Dara who has a full time nanny while she trains). On the other hand a lot of masters swimmers would be happy to swim 5x/wk for even an hour. It's not a blame thing, it's just a difference, that's all. I just always thought of Masters as adults who continue to want to swim, or compete, and also deal with a "real" life every day. And to me that makes the USMS records even more impressive. Just different circumstances between the USMS swimmer and the USA-S swimmer training as such.

I understand what you're saying. And I too think it would be great exposure for USMS to have these guys, and indeed Rowdy (who just seems to be an overall nice guy) swim Masters. I'm not trying to exclude anyone. But I think that's the line. IMHO, they (Lezak, et al) should have to swim in USMS meets to get USMS records. If that is the goal (which I doubt). To be honest, I have so little respect for FINA that I don't really care about the world records. I realize someone needs to keep track, I just don't know if they are the best organization for that (they can't even regulate swimsuits!). Overall, it would make sense to have straight age-group records in the sport of swimming. However, the circumstances are quite different for elite USA-S swimmers and elite Masters. Lezak, et al., are paid to swim (housing, food, endorsements). They are still "real" swimmers, in that, that is what they do. That is a main focus in their life, and in fact, for some, their livelihood. Many of the USA-S elite swimmers do not have "real" jobs, or families (children that they are raising, to be clear; of course, except for Dara who has a full time nanny while she trains). On the other hand a lot of masters swimmers would be happy to swim 5x/wk for even an hour. It's not a blame thing, it's just a difference, that's all. I just always thought of Masters as adults who continue to want to swim, or compete, and also deal with a "real" life every day. And to me that makes the USMS records even more impressive. Just different circumstances between the USMS swimmer and the USA-S swimmer training as such.