NEWS 2009 FINA Says Suit Ban Could Be Delayed

RE: NEWS 2009 FINA Says Suit Ban Could Be Delayed

Allen Stark — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 10:53:58 GMT

I'm enjoying the discussion much more since we've shifted somewhat from bashing the suits to bashing FINA. Forumites may disagree about the suits,but we almost all agree about FINA.

RE: NEWS 2009 FINA Says Suit Ban Could Be Delayed

Former Member — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 15:00:57 GMT

Guess the suit makes started shoveling even more $$$ to FINA so it wussied on instating the ban until a later date. The ban will be delayed until infinity or the suit makers run out of money to throw at the rule makers at FINA -which ever comes first. Dolphin 2

RE: NEWS 2009 FINA Says Suit Ban Could Be Delayed

Tim L — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 12:57:16 GMT

After seeing the swimming at Worlds I have been shocked and a little annoyed that some swimmers have to break sponsorships to wear the fastest suits. However, I must say that it is exciting. I think that Speedo and all the other swim suit manufacturers will catch up with Jaked and Arena shortly. Let's just keep the keep it going. Performances will level off in a few years and we will see less world records, but fast swimming is entertaining swimming so let's not go backwards. Tim

RE: NEWS 2009 FINA Says Suit Ban Could Be Delayed

mattson — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 12:06:53 GMT

The whole purpose of Alexander the Great cutting the Gordian Knot was to find a simple solution to a complex problem. Now FINA is finding a way to make their simple solution (whether or not it is any good) more complicated.

RE: NEWS 2009 FINA Says Suit Ban Could Be Delayed

The Fortress — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 08:33:25 GMT

I'm enjoying the discussion much more since we've shifted somewhat from bashing the suits to bashing FINA.

RE: NEWS 2009 FINA Says Suit Ban Could Be Delayed

Allen Stark — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 08:31:38 GMT

I think my key board was temporarily hi-jacked. Actually, I think FINA's latest ruling is way too extreme and probably the worst decision they could make. I think I had said before that I didn't think they would take a step back and that it would be stupid to do so. Once you have something out there available to everyone and people are swimming faster then how do you go backwards (especially all the way to the mid-90s)? I would have been fine with them never allowing tech suits, but once you allow a suit or suit design to be used in major competitions you can't go back. It is no different than going back to not allowing a flip turn on backstroke or not allowing heads to go underwater on breastroke. You just can't do that. I think I have previously nominated FINA as the worst sports governing body on the planet and the latest ruling is the final proof that is needed. FINA should be totally disbanded and they should start over. Fast international swimming is good entertainment which is good for our sport. There are too many records being set now, but that will all level off and no one will have a reason to whine when Speedo matches Jaked and Arena. I think the suits give more advantage to some swimmers who were not lucky enough to be blessed with the best swimming genes. Maybe that is a good thing and produces parity which has always been good in most sports. I still won't wear them and I still think they are kind of silly except for elite swimmers, but I am kind of stubborn that way. However, if all the masters swimmers start wearing Jaked equivalents and I can't even come close to competing with the people I expect to be able to swim close to then maybe I will change my mind. So far, I think swimming without a LZR or B70 is not that big of a handicap and something I can live with. The sport can evolve, but I don't have to. Tim FINA is terrible ,stupid ,and awful,but I am not sure they are in the same league of stupidity and hypocrisy as MLB and NCAA.

RE: NEWS 2009 FINA Says Suit Ban Could Be Delayed

Former Member — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 07:53:07 GMT

RE: NEWS 2009 FINA Says Suit Ban Could Be Delayed

Jim Clemmons — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 05:26:38 GMT

Thanks. That means a lot coming from someone who thinks he is a hairy Star Wars character. Tim I think that's supposed to be Harry, the Star Wars "character", all right.

RE: NEWS 2009 FINA Says Suit Ban Could Be Delayed

Tim L — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 05:11:54 GMT

Nicely stated. Thanks. That means a lot coming from someone who thinks he is a hairy Star Wars character. Tim

RE: NEWS 2009 FINA Says Suit Ban Could Be Delayed

Tim L — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 03:46:23 GMT

Yeah, Tim aka Preach, why the sudden change of heart to the less whiny side? I think my key board was temporarily hi-jacked. Actually, I think FINA's latest ruling is way too extreme and probably the worst decision they could make. I think I had said before that I didn't think they would take a step back and that it would be stupid to do so. Once you have something out there available to everyone and people are swimming faster then how do you go backwards (especially all the way to the mid-90s)? I would have been fine with them never allowing tech suits, but once you allow a suit or suit design to be used in major competitions you can't go back. It is no different than going back to not allowing a flip turn on backstroke or not allowing heads to go underwater on breastroke. You just can't do that. I think I have previously nominated FINA as the worst sports governing body on the planet and the latest ruling is the final proof that is needed. FINA should be totally disbanded and they should start over. Fast international swimming is good entertainment which is good for our sport. There are too many records being set now, but that will all level off and no one will have a reason to whine when Speedo matches Jaked and Arena. I think the suits give more advantage to some swimmers who were not lucky enough to be blessed with the best swimming genes. Maybe that is a good thing and produces parity which has always been good in most sports. I still won't wear them and I still think they are kind of silly except for elite swimmers, but I am kind of stubborn that way. However, if all the masters swimmers start wearing Jaked equivalents and I can't even come close to competing with the people I expect to be able to swim close to then maybe I will change my mind. So far, I think swimming without a LZR or B70 is not that big of a handicap and something I can live with. The sport can evolve, but I don't have to. Tim

RE: NEWS 2009 FINA Says Suit Ban Could Be Delayed

aquageek — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 02:46:25 GMT

Is that you, Tim?! I was just wondering cuz that sounded more like me. lol Yeah, Tim aka Preach, why the sudden change of heart to the less whiny side?

RE: NEWS 2009 FINA Says Suit Ban Could Be Delayed

The Fortress — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 02:33:51 GMT

RE: NEWS 2009 FINA Says Suit Ban Could Be Delayed

knelson — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 01:14:01 GMT

And if they did what would they do??? At this point I don't care. OK, I reserve the right to *** at whatever their decision may be, but for Pete's sake make a decision and stick to it!

RE: NEWS 2009 FINA Says Suit Ban Could Be Delayed

Former Member — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 15:31:11 GMT

Grow a pair, indeed. If FINA were a parent, the kids would be running wild. Geez, it's like playing a made up-game with a kid who keeps changing the rules.

RE: NEWS 2009 FINA Says Suit Ban Could Be Delayed

Former Member — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 14:44:15 GMT

If they ban suits to the ankle for men and women and suits to the shoulder for men, should we throw them away. These compression suits will still be great for training for sure. They will become training suits at $500+. Swimmers will be racing in $30 to $100 dollar suits.

RE: NEWS 2009 FINA Says Suit Ban Could Be Delayed

Former Member — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 13:23:45 GMT

There are so many washed up old Canadian swimmers, we could field, (or ice rink) a team.

RE: NEWS 2009 FINA Says Suit Ban Could Be Delayed

Former Member — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 13:09:29 GMT

Isn't there some obscure Canadian sport that a washed up old swimmer with no credibility can take up when they pry my suit from my cold, dead fingers? Human curling! YouTube - Human Curling

RE: NEWS 2009 FINA Says Suit Ban Could Be Delayed

Former Member — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 12:53:21 GMT

Why yes, it is called salmon tickling.

RE: NEWS 2009 FINA Says Suit Ban Could Be Delayed

Former Member — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 12:47:34 GMT

Now Mel, you don't have much credibility here now that you've vowed to take up racewalking, curling, jai alai whatever it was... Isn't there some obscure Canadian sport that a washed up old swimmer with no credibility can take up when they pry my suit from my cold, dead fingers?

RE: NEWS 2009 FINA Says Suit Ban Could Be Delayed

Former Member — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 12:44:42 GMT

Now Mel, you don't have much credibility here now that you've vowed to take up racewalking, curling, jai alai whatever it was...

RE: NEWS 2009 FINA Says Suit Ban Could Be Delayed

Former Member — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 12:40:41 GMT

OK, I admit it, I've been writing the FINA regulations. The only requirement from them is that I don't take my medications for a full two weeks before writing the brief in the matter. They've promised me an unlimited array of high-quality swimwear when this is all settled....

RE: NEWS 2009 FINA Says Suit Ban Could Be Delayed

Jim Clemmons — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 12:02:34 GMT

Seriously. Why make an announcement with absolutely no plans to implement it, nothing defined, no strategy, no scientists on board yet, no deadlines or even interim deadlines?? Another huge mess. Forget blaming the cool suits, as has become so customary and tiresome. Blame FINA for acting like a toddler instead of a governing body. We really don't expect anything less than this, do we. It would be completely out of character based on their consistent inconsistency. "If it wasn't for inconsistency, they'd have no consistency whatsoever." :cool:

RE: NEWS 2009 FINA Says Suit Ban Could Be Delayed

The Fortress — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 10:54:38 GMT

You are dead on. I mean seriously... Seriously. Why make an announcement with absolutely no plans to implement it, nothing defined, no strategy, no scientists on board yet, no deadlines or even interim deadlines?? Another huge mess. Forget blaming the cool suits, as has become so customary and tiresome. Blame FINA for acting like a toddler instead of a governing body.

RE: NEWS 2009 FINA Says Suit Ban Could Be Delayed

aquaFeisty — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 10:34:51 GMT

I think FINA needs to grow a pair. You are dead on. I mean seriously...

RE: NEWS 2009 FINA Says Suit Ban Could Be Delayed

Patrick W. Brundage — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 10:29:21 GMT

FINA Executive Director Cornel Marculescu said the organization's promised ban on long-length swimsuits beginning in January of next year might not be implemented until April or May. This will never end, thus assuring us Masters and endless supply of forum threads. Seriously, FINA's backtracking again less than a week after announcing the latest change ... do we really think that they won't flip flop again? These guys are politicians (but not very effective ones), blowing this way and that depending upon who is whispering in their ears. Expect some double speak to come out later where they redefine our ankles as knees, wrists as shoulders and textile as, "any material that Speedo chooses to use it is suits." Maybe they should use some of the hush money from Speedo to hire some better speechwriters and PR folks.