What should USMS do about the suits?

So, USMS, ya got screwed by FINA. You made a recommendation on the assumption that it would be acted on at the FINA meeting scheduled a couple weeks hence, but FINA -- in its infinite wisdom -- punted it off until January at the earliest. And it is reasonably foreseeable, if not downright likely, that FINA will -- in its infinite wisdom -- announce in January (or whenever, in its infinite wisdom, it damn well feels like it) that FINA, being focused exclusively on "elites" and "real swimming," doesn't give a fig about masters and what we wear in our silly, cute little "competitions", thereby leaving USMS in the lurch yet again. In the meantime, some of us who do care about our silly, cute little competitions would like to know what exactly we may wear in our silly, cute little competitions. Oh yeah, and it would be really cool if the official pronouncement as to what we could wear wasn't in a complete state of flux on a daily basis. I'm guessing a couple/few of our sponsors would like that, too. Even a rule good for a limited, discrete block of time -- say 6 months -- would be a vast improvement over the current state of affairs. I don't know what it would take at this point for USMS to adopt its own rule. Special session of our legislative body? Executive fiat? Bloody coup? Whatever is required, I urge USMS to get it done. Waiting for FINA has proven to be more existentially pointless than waiting for Godot (or, if you prefer, Guffman). Oh, and about that silly compromise position, with us boys wearing cute little zippered shoulder to knee shorties? If we're cutting the FINA cord, how about revisiting that to allow the use of suits that are actually manufactured and that we actually own? By my count, the percentage of men wearing shortys at any meet is somewhere in the vicinity of .00003. If you want to limit tech suits while equalizing coverage between boys and girls, give us our waist to ankle legskins. At least a few of us actually own those. Thanks, I feel better now.

I guess FINA's current "approved" list is still good until Jan 1, so the USMS rule (which depends on it) is good until then. Yes, that's my understanding as well. It just seems silly to wait out this next 60 day period holding our collective breaths and waiting anxiously for FINA to make some pronouncement from on high. Regarding USMS, I subscribe to the apparently radical notion that a governing body owes its governed some governance, particularly in times of turmoil. I understand that there are valid reasons for attempting to conform our rules to FINA's, at least when not inconsistent with our body's mission and goals. But waiting breathlessly for an edict which may never come seems a senseless abdication of responsibility. I'd like to see USMS adopt a rule, now, covering the period through and including the Atlanta Nationals. The rule could automatically sunset at that point, defaulting to whatever position FINA has adopted for masters. Perhaps by that time FINA will have sorted out its position; perhaps not. But at least we will have had a reasonable period of some certainty as to what is or is not legal. It would help the swimmers and retailers alike. I'm an unabashed B70 fan, but for the moment at least I'm not advocating for allowing any particular suits. I'm just advocating that there be a rule or position that we can rely on for more than 60 days at a whack.

C'mon Kathy et. al. FINA will not help us out of this morass. Step up, rule, and let's move on. It's time. I guess FINA's current "approved" list is still good until Jan 1, so the USMS rule (which depends on it) is good until then.

A simple solution for those worried about what will or will not be legal in 2010 is to wear a USA Swimming approved suit. www.usaswimming.org/.../ViewNewsArticle.aspx

A simple solution for those worried about what will or will not be legal in 2010 is to wear a USA Swimming approved suit. www.usaswimming.org/.../ViewNewsArticle.aspx There is nothing simple about putting yourself at a competitive disadvantage.

Yes, that's my understanding as well. It just seems silly to wait out this next 60 day period holding our collective breaths and waiting anxiously for FINA to make some pronouncement from on high. Regarding USMS, I subscribe to the apparently radical notion that a governing body owes its governed some governance, particularly in times of turmoil. I understand that there are valid reasons for attempting to conform our rules to FINA's, at least when not inconsistent with our body's mission and goals. But waiting breathlessly for an edict which may never come seems a senseless abdication of responsibility. I'd like to see USMS adopt a rule, now, covering the period through and including the Atlanta Nationals. The rule could automatically sunset at that point, defaulting to whatever position FINA has adopted for masters. Perhaps by that time FINA will have sorted out its position; perhaps not. But at least we will have had a reasonable period of some certainty as to what is or is not legal. It would help the swimmers and retailers alike. I'm an unabashed B70 fan, but for the moment at least I'm not advocating for allowing any particular suits. I'm just advocating that there be a rule or position that we can rely on for more than 60 days at a whack. I'm not all that bugged by the situation. USMS is pretty much committed to following FINA, and FINA meets in January. Wear the tech suits until then and be prepared to put them away when, as seem likely, the FINA Bureau adopts the FINA recommendation in January. I think the odds of another FINA flip-flop are pretty low .. although I admit precedent suggests otherwise. My only concern would be ensuring that everyone has access to the new legal suit (one can hardly call it a tech suit). If would suck if there was a ruling in January, but suits weren't available. When I checked on line recently, there were very few kneekskins with a recordbreaker back (no zipper) in my size ... I assume they've been purchased by all the USA-S kids.

There is nothing simple about putting yourself at a competitive disadvantage. Perhaps a simpler solution is to avoid all meets until 1 January, and then to race in a FS Pro or Tracer Light jammer...

There is nothing simple about putting yourself at a competitive disadvantage. I am not really concerned about how my swims rank amongst other swimmers, so for me, it is quite simple. YMMV

Oh! Please let the suits be legal among Masters! We have other rules different from the “elite”, why not this one? Who cares one person breaks a master world record on suit?! The world records are actualized in a period of 6 months! The European in a 2 or 3 months periods, the TOP10 are a disgrace… so we are different from the “elite”, we swim for fun ! and putting on a suits that makes look like wonder woman is GREAT! Hiding the “faults “ of our aged body is terrific!! It is be a dream thinking the brands will keep improving suits only for Masters , so new techonoly will be finished here! Let keep the ones until 2009….. Sorry , American colleagues but was in mood to express… Swim for fun! :blush: I am not sure what you mean that the Top Ten are a disgrace?

Hum! Are you the one who contributes for the ranking? Well, maybe a strong word “disgrace”! I know from personal experience at least 3 European Countries unable to send all official times, times would be at the FINA Masters Ranking TOP10. So, most Europeans who have times near the WR know some will never be on FINA, beginning with LEN. Eh! Not complaining, if felt in conflict would have stopped to be a master 10 years ago J Just saying, nothing is Masters is “WELL DONE”, it is just fun; we tried to guide things but exceptions have to be made. Now at The Europeans Bernarda Angulo signed up without have done the entry times; and did a recordJ ETC. In Europe we do not have a strong , almost impartial association as yours. Federations (without unanimity) guide the Masters and it is a huge mess concerning following rules, but which rules “elite” or “keep people swimming”! Think I have talked to much, have to stop or will be censured heavily J Just swim….