What should USMS do about the suits?

I think a big part of the problem is that swimmers have never thought of their sport as one that could be significantly impacted by the introduction of new technologies. It is on its face such a simple sport requiring such little equipment that the idea of technology coming in and becoming such a huge game changer seemed far fetched. But it can and did. I don't see how you can look at the near perfect relationship between world records and new swimsuits, especially world records by near unknowns and not wake up to the fact that the tech suits are turning previous standards on their heads. Nearly every sport in the world has to grapple with the fact of technology and decide where it wants to draw lines to keep the essence of the sport fixed, while allowing for progress for the sake of things like safety and standardization. You'd see teams stretch the field in amazing ways if you decided to let quarterbacks sling those grooved nerf footballs instead of a pigskin. Take a look at the difference between the major league and college game in baseball to see how the introduction of technology (aluminum bats) change the game. I view the tech suit as swimming's aluminum bats. All of a sudden you have these ridiculous times popping up, kind of like inflated college batting averages. But it's always easier to be proactive than reactive which is what I sense the problem is. Let's face it, if FINA/USA-S had been ahead of the game and had instituted the coverage and fabric requirements back in the 1990's no one would be griping about the fact that they aren't able to wear a hypothetical Jakerz tech suit that "could" be made if only the manufacturers were allowed to push the limits. Everyone would just accept the equipment standards as a fundamental part of the sport. What gets people upset is something being taken away. I think the introduction of new equipment standards on the elite level helps protect the integrity of the sport. We'll be able to meaningfullly compare world records and times across generations. The technical limits will be fixed (hopefully) with a clear bright line so that athletes won't have an excuse to blame their off the podium finishes on a sponsorship deal or a lack of funds. Long story short, swimsuits will be the same sort of factor that cleats are in track, shoulder pads are in football, and bats are in baseball-- a necessary piece of equipment but irrelevant in terms of the outcome of a competition. Swimmers will be the deciding factor. I am unsure of where I stand for the master's level, but I do have to say I like the idea of being able to meaningfully compare the top master's times with the top elite times.

I think a big part of the problem is that swimmers have never thought of their sport as one that could be significantly impacted by the introduction of new technologies. It is on its face such a simple sport requiring such little equipment that the idea of technology coming in and becoming such a huge game changer seemed far fetched. But it can and did. I don't see how you can look at the near perfect relationship between world records and new swimsuits, especially world records by near unknowns and not wake up to the fact that the tech suits are turning previous standards on their heads. Nearly every sport in the world has to grapple with the fact of technology and decide where it wants to draw lines to keep the essence of the sport fixed, while allowing for progress for the sake of things like safety and standardization. You'd see teams stretch the field in amazing ways if you decided to let quarterbacks sling those grooved nerf footballs instead of a pigskin. Take a look at the difference between the major league and college game in baseball to see how the introduction of technology (aluminum bats) change the game. I view the tech suit as swimming's aluminum bats. All of a sudden you have these ridiculous times popping up, kind of like inflated college batting averages. But it's always easier to be proactive than reactive which is what I sense the problem is. Let's face it, if FINA/USA-S had been ahead of the game and had instituted the coverage and fabric requirements back in the 1990's no one would be griping about the fact that they aren't able to wear a hypothetical Jakerz tech suit that "could" be made if only the manufacturers were allowed to push the limits. Everyone would just accept the equipment standards as a fundamental part of the sport. What gets people upset is something being taken away. I think the introduction of new equipment standards on the elite level helps protect the integrity of the sport. We'll be able to meaningfullly compare world records and times across generations. The technical limits will be fixed (hopefully) with a clear bright line so that athletes won't have an excuse to blame their off the podium finishes on a sponsorship deal or a lack of funds. Long story short, swimsuits will be the same sort of factor that cleats are in track, shoulder pads are in football, and bats are in baseball-- a necessary piece of equipment but irrelevant in terms of the outcome of a competition. Swimmers will be the deciding factor. I am unsure of where I stand for the master's level, but I do have to say I like the idea of being able to meaningfully compare the top master's times with the top elite times.