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
Met with similar protest as we are seeing in swimming or just applauded?
In general there was a brief period of unrest, but usually among the athletes more than the fans. For example, when steel poles gave way to fiberglass (1960's) it changed the paradigm for the athletes. A steel pole favored vaulters who were extremely strong in the shoulders and back since you had to "muscle" your way around the fact that the pole was stiff and didn't aid you like more flexible materials. The fiberglass poles placed more of a premium on gymnastics-type skills as the pole stored alot more energy by bending more, but that meant it needed to be finessed more.
With the current state of the poles, speed and gymnastics are the primary skills needed.
The fans, other than some purists, usually LOVED it - they liked seeing people go higher and higher. However, keep in mind that pole vaulting has always been viewed as a bit of a "synthetic event", so I don't think technology changed were as jarring to the fans.
Perhaps a better analogy in T&F is when *** Fosbury introduced the "flop" style of high jumping. Even though it did not involve any technology changes, many people were against it, for various reasons (safety concerns, aesthetics, purity, etc.) The athletes, however, loved it if they could master it. There hasn't been a world class non-flopper in close to 30 years.
-LBJ
I guess what I am asking is, what other sport has introduced technology that has played a role in significantly dropped times at the elite level, resulting in WR's dropping like flies?
FYI, it has happened several times in the pole vault event in track and field.
-LBJ
Hi, Jim!
The issue is:
As the O'Jays said,
Money, money, money,,,,,money!
(p.s. thanks for being a year younger than me so I didn't have to race you this year)
Hi, Jim!
The issue is:
As the O'Jays said,
Money, money, money,,,,,money!
(p.s. thanks for being a year younger than me so I didn't have to race you this year)
Hi Jeremy,
I meant the issue of "where is it falling apart"? I'm kinda tracking which suits have what type of problems and you're the first to chime in with a Tyr Tracer Rise.
As some may say, it's only money and we can't take it with us.
FYI, it has happened several times in the pole vault event in track and field.
-LBJ
Met with similar protest as we are seeing in swimming or just applauded?
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 agree Chris with your statements.
Perhaps USMS can allow suits in their meets and swimmer's can get a time, but it won't be included in the final results? This will help include those who need to cover up for whatever reason. Just a thought.
