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?
The gist of it was that he and the Australian coaching rep thought masters should be treated differently and should be allowed to wear whatever they want, because this would encourage participation. He said they seemed to be the only ones who held this opinion, though.
Thanks Kirk.
Makes it sounds like the other gossip about FINA not counting masters times at all or unless they were wearing an approved suit is BS then ... I just hope they decide whether we matter or don't matter soon and no later than June 19!
The gist of it was that he and the Australian coaching rep thought masters should be treated differently and should be allowed to wear whatever they want, because this would encourage participation. He said they seemed to be the only ones who held this opinion, though.
Thanks Kirk.
Makes it sounds like the other gossip about FINA not counting masters times at all or unless they were wearing an approved suit is BS then ... I just hope they decide whether we matter or don't matter soon and no later than June 19!
