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?
Former Member
I see your points Jim. However, Masters already does not have drug testing. Aren't we "handicapped" anyway? As mentioned in previous discussions, I don't think it would be practical from an efficiency and $$$ perspective to have random drug tests performed all over the country.
Along those lines, I don't feel that it's practical for me as an individual to be forced to buy a speedo suit (like the LZR or Pro) that costs $250 to $550 for a suit that will last around 5 swims just to be competitive. With the B70, it was more economical to pay $400 for a suit that would last 25 to 30 swims.
Based on my times, I perform the same in a B70, Pro, or even FSII. How is it that Speedos are legal and B70s are now banned? How inconvenient for me to have to buy much more expensive product with a significantly shorter shelf life. I have trouble supporting Fina's ruling and buying speedo products at this point.
I just watched the Leonard interview and overall I think he did a good job explaining FINAs position and I do agree with a lot of what he said. Still, there are some inconsistencies. The most glaring was that permeability wasn't addressed in phase I because they didn't want to hurt the suit manufacturers, but then he defends the air trapping argument by saying that FINA isn't in the business of helping or hurting the suit makers. If this isn't clearly biased toward Speedo, I don't know what is.
Probably the most consequential thing he said was that FINA will very likely outlaw permeable materials altogether as of Jan 1, 2010. I wouldn't be too anxious to buy a LZR right now! Although I guess since they wear out after one meet it might not matter. :)
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.
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.
Kirk:
outlaw permeable or non-permeable?
Sorry. Meant to say non-permeable.
I don't have 26 minutes to watch the video. What did he say about masters?
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.
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!
