During the SPMA meet, I floated a Tech suit compromise by a few swimmers and they all seemed to be very interested. I am sure this has been suggested before, but here is goes -
- allow all current tech suits for all yards meets for the next 3 years (you can always revisit this)
- adopt what FINA issues in January for all meters meets
I think both "sides" could live with this, USMS can still say they comply with FINA, but the tech suit "junkies" can still have a full season each year.
Couldn't it be argued that the mid-season change favors certain regions over others? For example, between June 1 and the present date, I'm not aware of any USMS SCY meets in Tennessee or Georgia where times could have counted for top ten. I imagine there may be other states/regions where this is also the case.
The time when the ban goes into effect will be very important. Many will have BSB (before suit ban) times and ASB (after suit ban) times.
Sure, I don't say its completely fair, although I don't think too many people -- maybe none at all -- have rested/tapered for a SCY meet yet.
And if we KEPT the suits for SCY that would also favor some regions over others. I know some LMSCs who hardly have any meets, and some of those swimmers swim in USA-S meets instead. They won't be able to wear the suits in those meets. So in fairness -- and to be consistent with USA-S -- maybe we should ban them as soon as FINA decides (if they do).
I think there is logic in being consistent with USA-S when possible, but all LMSCs are not created equal. If we went down that road, we'd tell SoCal to stop having so many meets, and to stop using all those LCM pools...I think every resident must have one in their backyard or something...
The NOVA age-groupers just swam in a big meet last weekend. Amazingly, there were plenty of PBs and great swims, even in the post-suit era. Imagine that, life goes on. (I'm not trying to pick on you Beth, even though the sting from the 'Bama comments have yet to fade. :))
Couldn't it be argued that the mid-season change favors certain regions over others? For example, between June 1 and the present date, I'm not aware of any USMS SCY meets in Tennessee or Georgia where times could have counted for top ten. I imagine there may be other states/regions where this is also the case.
The time when the ban goes into effect will be very important. Many will have BSB (before suit ban) times and ASB (after suit ban) times.
Sure, I don't say its completely fair, although I don't think too many people -- maybe none at all -- have rested/tapered for a SCY meet yet.
And if we KEPT the suits for SCY that would also favor some regions over others. I know some LMSCs who hardly have any meets, and some of those swimmers swim in USA-S meets instead. They won't be able to wear the suits in those meets. So in fairness -- and to be consistent with USA-S -- maybe we should ban them as soon as FINA decides (if they do).
I think there is logic in being consistent with USA-S when possible, but all LMSCs are not created equal. If we went down that road, we'd tell SoCal to stop having so many meets, and to stop using all those LCM pools...I think every resident must have one in their backyard or something...
The NOVA age-groupers just swam in a big meet last weekend. Amazingly, there were plenty of PBs and great swims, even in the post-suit era. Imagine that, life goes on. (I'm not trying to pick on you Beth, even though the sting from the 'Bama comments have yet to fade. :))
