Well -- assuming the report is correct -- my FINA-knowledgable friend called this one wrong. Of course, predicting FINA's actions is next-to-impossible.
He also indicated that the FINA bureau would rubber-stamp the committee's recommendation and maybe that prediction was wrong too.
I am a middle aged swimmer, with a disability. I have to swim with a zipper suit. It equalizes the pressure across my shoulders I train in a water polo suit with a zipper. I can NEVER wear straps on my suits. I do not care about the material, or the length, those two issues do not prevent a swimmer from competing. This issue if we go with FIna would prevent me from competing, and that is exclusion. I would hope they would allow medical dispensations. I am a national champion despite my disability, and I am not going to stop competing. What are these people thinking? We are not elite athletes, and two years ago I could not even walk. I am what most masters can relate to. Swimming is the only thing I can now do. So I will show up with my zipper suits, and hope the refs. allow me to swim!!!!!!
This is clear as mud.This is a recommendation to a committee that meets in Jan,after the 1/1/10 deadline.Come on already,fish or cut bait.:argue:
I don't know a lot about how FINA is governed (thankfully -- life is too short). But my understanding is that the masters committee doesn't have the authority to do any more than make a recommendation to the Bureau. If that's correct, this is the most definitive decision we could expect from FINA now.
Given that the SCM season is up and running,changing the rules before 1/1/10 would be unfair!
Probably one reason the FINA Bureau is meeting in January ...
i was told at a lmsc meeting this past saturday, fina is the final word and if you read carefully FINA HASNT DECIDED AND VOTED ON IT YET. when it's done, it's done but it is not final as of this point. people quit panicking, you can still wear them for scm meets. i plan on wearing a long although not rubberized suit to swim in orlando as well as scm meet in atl in dec.
