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
Chris..... c'mon. Masters isn't really a mirror of USA Swimming to begin with. You know as well as I do that in the final heat at masters nationals in each event you have people like me, who do enjoy racing, but just don't train enough or are competitive enough to deserve to be there. Then you also have people in that heat who work very hard as a it is a significant personal goal to improve.
USA swimming doesn't have that kind of variety of attitudes at US Nationals. Everyone in the final heat in US Nationals is DEAD serious and extremely competitive. The variety of effort levels and goals in masters is MUCH broader than in USA Swimming and it will always be that way. Some use it as a "beer" league and some use it as a mini US Nationals performance.
This suit discussion is merely a reflection of the variety of needs and differences b/n usms and usa swimming.
I don't see what "level of seriousness" has to do with the desire to have one set of rules. Except that maybe people who don't practice so much would like to convince themselves they are thinner and faster than they really are? :)
Bottom line: the suits are an aid to speed, one that has been banned by the "major" powers. Allowing it in masters competition is -- yes -- akin to moving the 3-pt or free throw line a little closer to accomodate those "lesser masters athletes."
If that is truly the will of the people, so be it: let's just not kid ourselves about it. These are not modesty suits for people embarassed by their bodies; just ask Ricky Berens or Paul Smith. (Not sure Ricky has much to be embarassed about. Ummm, you too Paul.)
Two other points, which have been made elsewhere:
-- I don't think USMS should have stricter rules than other masters federations. That's not fair to our athletes, even though it makes the USS-USMS gulf a little larger.
-- The suits will soon be gone, no matter what USMS decides. I may be mistaken, but I don't think masters swimming can support the likes of Jaked, Arena, Speedo, B70 making those suits or coming up with new ones. USMS' decision about the suits will just determine how abrupt/clean to make the separation. Cold turkey or not?
I find it a little interesting that USMS hasn't taken a parallel stance as USS with FINA wrt the suits. Think about it: the organization could strongly recommend to FINA that the identical rules be adopted for masters swimming on an international scale. We haven't done so and I'm pretty sure we won't, at least anytime soon. Does that reveal anything? I don't know.
Chris..... c'mon. Masters isn't really a mirror of USA Swimming to begin with. You know as well as I do that in the final heat at masters nationals in each event you have people like me, who do enjoy racing, but just don't train enough or are competitive enough to deserve to be there. Then you also have people in that heat who work very hard as a it is a significant personal goal to improve.
USA swimming doesn't have that kind of variety of attitudes at US Nationals. Everyone in the final heat in US Nationals is DEAD serious and extremely competitive. The variety of effort levels and goals in masters is MUCH broader than in USA Swimming and it will always be that way. Some use it as a "beer" league and some use it as a mini US Nationals performance.
This suit discussion is merely a reflection of the variety of needs and differences b/n usms and usa swimming.
I don't see what "level of seriousness" has to do with the desire to have one set of rules. Except that maybe people who don't practice so much would like to convince themselves they are thinner and faster than they really are? :)
Bottom line: the suits are an aid to speed, one that has been banned by the "major" powers. Allowing it in masters competition is -- yes -- akin to moving the 3-pt or free throw line a little closer to accomodate those "lesser masters athletes."
If that is truly the will of the people, so be it: let's just not kid ourselves about it. These are not modesty suits for people embarassed by their bodies; just ask Ricky Berens or Paul Smith. (Not sure Ricky has much to be embarassed about. Ummm, you too Paul.)
Two other points, which have been made elsewhere:
-- I don't think USMS should have stricter rules than other masters federations. That's not fair to our athletes, even though it makes the USS-USMS gulf a little larger.
-- The suits will soon be gone, no matter what USMS decides. I may be mistaken, but I don't think masters swimming can support the likes of Jaked, Arena, Speedo, B70 making those suits or coming up with new ones. USMS' decision about the suits will just determine how abrupt/clean to make the separation. Cold turkey or not?
I find it a little interesting that USMS hasn't taken a parallel stance as USS with FINA wrt the suits. Think about it: the organization could strongly recommend to FINA that the identical rules be adopted for masters swimming on an international scale. We haven't done so and I'm pretty sure we won't, at least anytime soon. Does that reveal anything? I don't know.
