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 a little surprised at the number of people who say we should go our own way. The question isn't whether you like the suits -- many do; it is whether we should part ways with a pretty significant chunk of the swimming universe.
FINA has ruled that they are banned as of Jan 1 at the urging of USA Swimming. This ruling has the support of every coach I have talked to or heard from (over one dozen) and numerous prominent swimmers, including some who have benefited from them (such as Biedermann, who no doubt would like to beat Phelps and not have it credited to the suit). Other than masters swimmers I haven't heard any swimmer say they disagree with FINA, though doubtless there are some.
This isn't a matter of whether to put counters in the pool, or concessions to the elderly: this is about devices that potentially allow people to swim up to 4% faster than what FINA and USA Swimming and the NCAA have decided to allow. You might as well move the bulkheads a little closer to the starting blocks while you're at it: it really is a different sport.
I realize that many like the suits and are very disappointed by these decisions. But if USMS says anything goes wrt to the suits...well, that really does smack of beer softball to me. But perhaps many here really and truly believe what I have always found to be a somewhat condescending phrase: "it's only masters."
I am a little surprised at the number of people who say we should go our own way. The question isn't whether you like the suits -- many do; it is whether we should part ways with a pretty significant chunk of the swimming universe.
FINA has ruled that they are banned as of Jan 1 at the urging of USA Swimming. This ruling has the support of every coach I have talked to or heard from (over one dozen) and numerous prominent swimmers, including some who have benefited from them (such as Biedermann, who no doubt would like to beat Phelps and not have it credited to the suit). Other than masters swimmers I haven't heard any swimmer say they disagree with FINA, though doubtless there are some.
This isn't a matter of whether to put counters in the pool, or concessions to the elderly: this is about devices that potentially allow people to swim up to 4% faster than what FINA and USA Swimming and the NCAA have decided to allow. You might as well move the bulkheads a little closer to the starting blocks while you're at it: it really is a different sport.
I realize that many like the suits and are very disappointed by these decisions. But if USMS says anything goes wrt to the suits...well, that really does smack of beer softball to me. But perhaps many here really and truly believe what I have always found to be a somewhat condescending phrase: "it's only masters."
