Does anyone know the rationale behind USMS rule 103.13.1(B)(1)? Specifically, this says that in order for an initial distance split to count as an "official time" (and thus, eligible for records, top-ten, etc.), the swimmer must notify the meet referee in writing before the end of the meet.
Does anyone know why we insist on this level of administrivia? This means that, technically, even as a meet director... if I notice that someone's 1000 split on their 1650 would be a new record... it's not a new record unless I remind the swimmer him/herself to write down on a piece of paper "Please make my split time count", and hand it to the referee. Before they leave the pool at the end of the meet.
In USA Swimming, the paperwork isn't necessary. Your 1000 split counts, without any paperwork, as long as it's valid, you finished the event, etc., etc. But you don't need silly paperwork.
So why do we insist on this paperwork in USMS? This seems like something that is doing us all a massive disservice as I'm sure many many potential records and top ten performances are being missed. If you swim a 1650, and your initial 1000 was a certain time... then your initial 1000 was that time, regardless of any paperwork you submit by the end of the meet.
(This is separate from setting up an expectation that these splits will be automatically submitted. That's a separate issue. My only issue is that if the swimmer does not write something down on a post-it note, that the window of opportunity closes, and there is no way to un-close the window the way the rulebook is written.)
I suppose the solution is to amend the disclaimer/waiver language for our meet entries to include a sentence "I HEREBY REQUEST TO THE REFEREE THAT EVERY INITIAL DISTANCE OF EVERY EVENT THAT I SWIM BE CONSIDERED AS AN OFFICIAL TIME.", and then that part of the rule is satisfied. If the USMS Rules Committee insists, I can photocopy all of our entry forms, and hand them to the Referee before the end of the meet.
-Rick
A possible justification is that if you submit your request before the end of the meet the referee can check the validity of the split with all the timing tapes, watch times, etc. easily available. I don't know how long all that stuff is kept for or who keeps it so perhaps it's not relevant, I'm just guessing.
Sure, it may make it easier. In that case, why not require that all initial splits be required to be requested before the swim?
But my counter-argument is -- if I'm a responsible meet director, and I keep all of this paperwork filed for a solid 12 months after the meet, shouldn't I be able to help establish that a record or top-10 time was established? Why limit my ability to do that?
-Rick
A possible justification is that if you submit your request before the end of the meet the referee can check the validity of the split with all the timing tapes, watch times, etc. easily available. I don't know how long all that stuff is kept for or who keeps it so perhaps it's not relevant, I'm just guessing.
Sure, it may make it easier. In that case, why not require that all initial splits be required to be requested before the swim?
But my counter-argument is -- if I'm a responsible meet director, and I keep all of this paperwork filed for a solid 12 months after the meet, shouldn't I be able to help establish that a record or top-10 time was established? Why limit my ability to do that?
-Rick
