what do you think of American SCM Records NOT RATIFIED?
What interesting is where a time is recognized as a WR by FINA but not an AR by USA Swimming
SCM World Records
I agree with the decision. The swimmers used suits that are currently illegal for USA Swimming competition and thus shouldn't qualify as American Records.
Different organizations, different rules. In masters you can have USMS national records (eg set at USA-S meets) that are faster than FINA world records, and that makes even less sense.
I don't know if the swimmers knew this would be the consequence of wearing the suits, but even if they did, I'm sure they would rather have a WR than an AR.
It's consistent with the USA Swimming rule on American Records:104.2 American and United States Open records
A Classification
(1) American — May be established only by United States Citizens who are also U.S. Sports Citizens who achieve an official time in accordance with USA Swimming rules.
"Achiev an official time in accordance with USA Swimming rules" can reasonably be construed to include not doing something that would result in a disqualification under USA Swimming rules.
Patrick King
The choice of not ratifying the AR assumes that ALL the swimmers who broke the records were wearing the tech suits, which I know for a fact was not true. Some competed in non-tech suits. The swimmers broke records using whatever suits that were legal at the time, and perhaps the times should be denoted with an * (asterisk) next to them to show that tech suits were legal at the time... but not take away the ratification of the records. That simply isn't appropriate, nor necessary. Why shouldn't future AR aspirants just *deal* with the current record times, and train and attempt to do better so as to beat the ARs? It seems like those swimmers who don't want the ARs ratified want to have an easier time of beating older, easier to break records, and it seems like a way to wimp out, rather than aim for being the best that they can be. Why not just plan on beating the ARs, no matter if they are ratified with tech suits or not?? Afterall, being the "best" you can, is the "best" for the sport, and for you.
Kirk,
But shouldn't FINA rules trump USA swimming rules in an international competition?
Yes, they should, and that's why any world records that were set will be ratified.
If USA swimming had made it clear to the swimmers before hand that records would not be ratified, then I agree with you.
I agree. USA Swimming should have made this clear to the swimmers. I don't know if they did or did not.
This is where you're wrong. Theses suits are not legal per USA Swimming rules and haven't been since October 1st.
Imagine this scenario. What if FINA still had no limit to distance swum underwater, but USA Swimming changed the rule to only allow 15 meters. Would it be fair to give a swimmer an AR who swam in an international competition that allowed unlimited underwaters? IMO, I don't think it would. Swimsuit rules are rules just like stroke rules.
Kirk,
But shouldn't FINA rules trump USA swimming rules in an international competition?
If USA swimming had made it clear to the swimmers before hand that records would not be ratified, then I agree with you. They shouldn't be since the swimmers knew going into the meet.
Does anyone know if USA swimming informed the swimmers before hand that the records would not count?
If this is a decision made after the fact, I think USA swimming should honor the records.
The swimmers broke records using whatever suits that were legal at the time
This is where you're wrong. Theses suits are not legal per USA Swimming rules and haven't been since October 1st.
Imagine this scenario. What if FINA still had no limit to distance swum underwater, but USA Swimming changed the rule to only allow 15 meters. Would it be fair to give a swimmer an AR who swam in an international competition that allowed unlimited underwaters? IMO, I don't think it would. Swimsuit rules are rules just like stroke rules.
The choice of not ratifying the AR assumes that ALL the swimmers who broke the records were wearing the tech suits, which I know for a fact was not true.
bridge, if you have info about swims not performed in tech suits, share it. I am interested in that. Oh and any chance you swam in the olympics once upon a time?
The entire record situation is going to be one giant cluster**** for along time. I'm not certain any other sport has delt with an issue like this - where we are literally rewinding the clock nearly a decade.
I am not saying it is the write/wrong thing to do - just saying that it will be difficult to put record times in perspective. Rowdy will have his hands full at the next major world event trying to explain the the average viewer why Michael Phelps can't break records anymore...
