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.
Is it USMS driving the decision though? The recent gossip was that FINA itself doesn't care about masters and that we can wear whatever we want. (I hope FINA's position is clarified and made official SOON.) Perhaps USMS has always known this and that explains why B70s are still legal for masters?
I don't have 26 minutes to watch the video. What did he say about masters?
I scanned the comments briefly. Got a bit of a laugh about FINA being composed of "fat directors" in "wool suits."
The Phelps/Athlete of the Year reference sounded like a real red herring.
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.
Is it USMS driving the decision though? The recent gossip was that FINA itself doesn't care about masters and that we can wear whatever we want. (I hope FINA's position is clarified and made official SOON.) Perhaps USMS has always known this and that explains why B70s are still legal for masters?
I don't have 26 minutes to watch the video. What did he say about masters?
I scanned the comments briefly. Got a bit of a laugh about FINA being composed of "fat directors" in "wool suits."
The Phelps/Athlete of the Year reference sounded like a real red herring.
