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
Well clearly they "regulate" masters in some senses. If USMS allowed stroke modifications that other national bodies did not (eg, you could do a forward start in backstroke, kick as far underwater as you want, do flipturns in butterfly, two pull-outs in breaststroke, etc), I doubt any of our times would be accepted for inclusion in FINA Top Ten or as WRs.
I think what they said is that, just as they do not enforce PED prohibitions through a drug-testing program in masters, they don't intend to regulate swimsuits in masters. I got the impression that it was partly a logistical thing, they didn't want to worry about suit inspections at the masters levels (like they do at the top international meets).
That was then, of course; I don't think it beyond the realm of possibility that they may change their mind...
Ramifications that I can think of:
-- FINA might not accept any times from USMS meets for inclusion in Top Ten lists or as WRs. I suppose we could have some sort of verification that a "FINA legal" suit was used but that would be a hassle to do for all possible TT swims or WRs, and FINA might decide not accept it anyway.
-- USA-S may decide not to accept any USMS times into the SWIMS database. Right now you can give prior notification for your intention to do so, but going against USA-S on the suit issue (especially since they initiated the current proposal) might be pushing it.
These two ramifications do indeed affect many of our members.
Like John, I am thoroughly sick of the new suits and all the associated baggage. Unlike him, it would bother me just a little to swim in jammers next to a competitor who was wearing cellophane (oops, I meant Jaked).
But it would bother me more than a little to basically have USMS strike out on our own. I would like, as closely as possible, the rules that we swim under in USMS to mirror those that Phelps, Lochte and co. compete with both nationally
and internationally. I'd like to feel like we are doing the same sport, though obviously at
completely different levels. I simply see no great compelling reason to part ways on this issue, but obviously I am not as attached to the suits as others.
Anyway, I think it is mostly a moot point. I don't think the suit manufacturers are going to make these suits just for masters swimmers. If/when FINA gets rid of them (and unlike Tim L, I think the rubber suits will soon be gone for good), I think that for all practical purposes they will be gone from masters competitions once the current stock gets used up, though that may take some time.
Uh, I just meant that FINA had stated that it had no current intent to ban or regulate tech suits for masters. Who knows what it will do going forward?
I'm thoroughly sick of hearing how the sport has been "ruined" by innovative gear.
Well clearly they "regulate" masters in some senses. If USMS allowed stroke modifications that other national bodies did not (eg, you could do a forward start in backstroke, kick as far underwater as you want, do flipturns in butterfly, two pull-outs in breaststroke, etc), I doubt any of our times would be accepted for inclusion in FINA Top Ten or as WRs.
I think what they said is that, just as they do not enforce PED prohibitions through a drug-testing program in masters, they don't intend to regulate swimsuits in masters. I got the impression that it was partly a logistical thing, they didn't want to worry about suit inspections at the masters levels (like they do at the top international meets).
That was then, of course; I don't think it beyond the realm of possibility that they may change their mind...
Ramifications that I can think of:
-- FINA might not accept any times from USMS meets for inclusion in Top Ten lists or as WRs. I suppose we could have some sort of verification that a "FINA legal" suit was used but that would be a hassle to do for all possible TT swims or WRs, and FINA might decide not accept it anyway.
-- USA-S may decide not to accept any USMS times into the SWIMS database. Right now you can give prior notification for your intention to do so, but going against USA-S on the suit issue (especially since they initiated the current proposal) might be pushing it.
These two ramifications do indeed affect many of our members.
Like John, I am thoroughly sick of the new suits and all the associated baggage. Unlike him, it would bother me just a little to swim in jammers next to a competitor who was wearing cellophane (oops, I meant Jaked).
But it would bother me more than a little to basically have USMS strike out on our own. I would like, as closely as possible, the rules that we swim under in USMS to mirror those that Phelps, Lochte and co. compete with both nationally
and internationally. I'd like to feel like we are doing the same sport, though obviously at
completely different levels. I simply see no great compelling reason to part ways on this issue, but obviously I am not as attached to the suits as others.
Anyway, I think it is mostly a moot point. I don't think the suit manufacturers are going to make these suits just for masters swimmers. If/when FINA gets rid of them (and unlike Tim L, I think the rubber suits will soon be gone for good), I think that for all practical purposes they will be gone from masters competitions once the current stock gets used up, though that may take some time.
Uh, I just meant that FINA had stated that it had no current intent to ban or regulate tech suits for masters. Who knows what it will do going forward?
I'm thoroughly sick of hearing how the sport has been "ruined" by innovative gear.
