Craig Lord's rather inflammatory article www.swimnews.com/.../6918 on the possibility that USMS will depart from FINA vis a vis allowed swim suits raises a fundamental issue:
If masters swimming allows a more lenient policy regarding suit technology than FINA swimming, will this help or hurt our status in the swimming world?
I love the high tech suits, and I think FINA has been boneheaded in many ways, but I personally think that the creation of a two-tier system--regular swimming and masters "handicapped" swimming--would be bad for our sport and only marginalize us in the world of athletics.
If the choice comes down to two options--abide by FINA's suit rulings OR permit suits like the B70 for masters (if it is outlawed by FINA for "real" swimmers), which side would you support?
I don't think there is any question that USMS will follow FINA's rulings - once the list is finalized. My understanding is that USMS did not want to ban suits that are still being tested, so made the decision to maintain the status quo for now.
Let's hope FINA issues the final ruling on suits on the 19th so we'll all know what we have to do to be legal.
There is an interesting article on SWIMMING WORLD's website about all the unapproved suits at Japan's national championships.
I don't think there is any question that USMS will follow FINA's rulings - once the list is finalized. My understanding is that USMS did not want to ban suits that are still being tested, so made the decision to maintain the status quo for now.
Let's hope FINA issues the final ruling on suits on the 19th so we'll all know what we have to do to be legal.
There is an interesting article on SWIMMING WORLD's website about all the unapproved suits at Japan's national championships.
