I started a similar poll before,but time has changed things and I thought since USMS is going to have to do something definitive so they should have some input from the forumites
I know I have been asking for USMS to rule, but tieing ourselves to whatever FINA may do come January at this point seems premature. If we were sincere in our recommendation to FINA to carve out a limited masters exception, it seems we ought to be considering our options right now. But by my reading of this announcement we took that off that table, and will now blindly follow whatever FINA rules.
So please remind me why are we wedded to FINA again? So our LCM/SCM records count? So we're not considered a beer league? Because our rules say so unless we choose to go our own way, as we have for butterfrog?
None of those reasons seem compelling enough to announce at this time that we are on board with whatever move FINA makes next. I would have liked to see a little more consideration given to the concerns expressed by the USMS swimmers. Some seemed to be a stretch (modesty), but some appeared to be at least facially valid (zippers needed, SCY is a separate animal, we spent good money, etc. etc. etc.).
I don't think it was ever USMS' intention to deviate from FINA on the suits for SCM or LCM. The recommendation was USMS trying to be proactive but obviously the FINA Technical Committee didn't bite.
As far as why we follow FINA, I suppose it is because swimming -- even masters -- is an international sport, with international competitions, time compilations and records. A consistent set of rules is needed for such things. Whether that is a compelling reason is a matter of opinion, I suppose, but USAS (of which USMS is a part) is a member organization. Like it or don't, FINA is the international federation that governs all aquatic sports.
FINA doesn't give a fig about SCY, though. I do not know why USMS has decided to implement a ban -- if it comes -- immediately, since it would come in mid-season for SCY. For SCM/LCM, mid-January is right at the start of a new season. (I suppose there is a chance that, if the FINA Bureau announces a ban, they will also announce a later implementation date, like they did for the elites.)
I know I have been asking for USMS to rule, but tieing ourselves to whatever FINA may do come January at this point seems premature. If we were sincere in our recommendation to FINA to carve out a limited masters exception, it seems we ought to be considering our options right now. But by my reading of this announcement we took that off that table, and will now blindly follow whatever FINA rules.
So please remind me why are we wedded to FINA again? So our LCM/SCM records count? So we're not considered a beer league? Because our rules say so unless we choose to go our own way, as we have for butterfrog?
None of those reasons seem compelling enough to announce at this time that we are on board with whatever move FINA makes next. I would have liked to see a little more consideration given to the concerns expressed by the USMS swimmers. Some seemed to be a stretch (modesty), but some appeared to be at least facially valid (zippers needed, SCY is a separate animal, we spent good money, etc. etc. etc.).
I don't think it was ever USMS' intention to deviate from FINA on the suits for SCM or LCM. The recommendation was USMS trying to be proactive but obviously the FINA Technical Committee didn't bite.
As far as why we follow FINA, I suppose it is because swimming -- even masters -- is an international sport, with international competitions, time compilations and records. A consistent set of rules is needed for such things. Whether that is a compelling reason is a matter of opinion, I suppose, but USAS (of which USMS is a part) is a member organization. Like it or don't, FINA is the international federation that governs all aquatic sports.
FINA doesn't give a fig about SCY, though. I do not know why USMS has decided to implement a ban -- if it comes -- immediately, since it would come in mid-season for SCY. For SCM/LCM, mid-January is right at the start of a new season. (I suppose there is a chance that, if the FINA Bureau announces a ban, they will also announce a later implementation date, like they did for the elites.)
