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?
Here's a question... does USMS follow FINA rules/guidelines on everything else? Why just discuss the suit craze if we want to appear to be on the same plane with regard to rules and regs?
IMHO: Stick with the FINA. Separate but equal never works.
Here's a question... does USMS follow FINA rules/guidelines on everything else? Why just discuss the suit craze if we want to appear to be on the same plane with regard to rules and regs?
IMHO: Stick with the FINA. Separate but equal never works.
