If the full body rubber suits do end up getting banned, why should USMS follow their lead on this issue? (i.e. assuming the suits would continue to be manufactured).
Isn't Masters mostly for each individual to pursue what they want and the level they want out of the sport?
If the full body suit is preferred by many USMS participants, why not satisfy the base by keeping it available?
What's really the point of forcing old USMS swimmers out of their girdles if FINA bans them?
John Smith
I am with John. I am not wearing them anymore, but I could care less if someone else in masters swimming wears them. The one caveat is if swimmers that I think I should be able to stay with start flying by me and I can't compensate by training better, then maybe I will finally fully concede and join the rubber age.
FINA is the worst sports governing body in the world. They will probably change their mind multiple times between now and January 1st. I have full confidence that the rubber age is here to stay and I think there will be many other beneficial changes. They are going to move the line for underwaters out to 20 to 25 meters and you will be able to wear whatever suit you want. They will also allow flip turns in breaststroke and butterfly and any transition turn in the IM. Phelps will break a 49 in the 100 fly within a year and everything will be fine. What is the point with all these rules? No one enforces them anyway and they just slow people down which makes no sense. I haven't seen a DQ in major competition in the last 10 years. We don't need all those people on the deck looking down at the swimmers like they are actually trying to enforce the rules. We could save costs and make things faster, a double bonus! We just need a starter, one person at the other end to make sure people touch the wall with some part of their body, and a person in the middle of the pool making sure people break the surface at the 25 meter mark. On second thought at least 2 of those jobs aren't needed because they could be replaced by touch pads and a laser at the middle of the pool. I mean, heck, in track and field they don't tell you how to run, they just tell you how far and what your lane is. They don't tell people how they have to get over a hurdle, you can get over it anyway you want. The only rules in breaststroke should be that you have to recover your arms underwater and together and anything else goes (unlimited flutter or dolphin kick, whatever is fastest - it almost looks like Soni does a dolphin kick now or she isn't far from it). The breastroke kick is bad for some peoples knees so this is just to protect the athletes, right. Personally, I love it that Kitajima is out of the record books, that great "innovator". Maybe Kitajima should be the head of FINA and implement my evil "almost anything goes" plan. Maybe that dude from the WWF could do the commentary with Rowdy too.
Bowman is such a purist. Boo, hiss! There is no room for him in this sport unless he changes his ways.
Tim
I am with John. I am not wearing them anymore, but I could care less if someone else in masters swimming wears them. The one caveat is if swimmers that I think I should be able to stay with start flying by me and I can't compensate by training better, then maybe I will finally fully concede and join the rubber age.
FINA is the worst sports governing body in the world. They will probably change their mind multiple times between now and January 1st. I have full confidence that the rubber age is here to stay and I think there will be many other beneficial changes. They are going to move the line for underwaters out to 20 to 25 meters and you will be able to wear whatever suit you want. They will also allow flip turns in breaststroke and butterfly and any transition turn in the IM. Phelps will break a 49 in the 100 fly within a year and everything will be fine. What is the point with all these rules? No one enforces them anyway and they just slow people down which makes no sense. I haven't seen a DQ in major competition in the last 10 years. We don't need all those people on the deck looking down at the swimmers like they are actually trying to enforce the rules. We could save costs and make things faster, a double bonus! We just need a starter, one person at the other end to make sure people touch the wall with some part of their body, and a person in the middle of the pool making sure people break the surface at the 25 meter mark. On second thought at least 2 of those jobs aren't needed because they could be replaced by touch pads and a laser at the middle of the pool. I mean, heck, in track and field they don't tell you how to run, they just tell you how far and what your lane is. They don't tell people how they have to get over a hurdle, you can get over it anyway you want. The only rules in breaststroke should be that you have to recover your arms underwater and together and anything else goes (unlimited flutter or dolphin kick, whatever is fastest - it almost looks like Soni does a dolphin kick now or she isn't far from it). The breastroke kick is bad for some peoples knees so this is just to protect the athletes, right. Personally, I love it that Kitajima is out of the record books, that great "innovator". Maybe Kitajima should be the head of FINA and implement my evil "almost anything goes" plan. Maybe that dude from the WWF could do the commentary with Rowdy too.
Bowman is such a purist. Boo, hiss! There is no room for him in this sport unless he changes his ways.
Tim
