Well, I'm coming back to swim at Master's meets after a 5 year hiatus (surgeries, etc) and find that I cannot wear my "Farmer John" suit bought in 2000 and worn in 4 previous national meets (except this spring). Not a "tech" suit by any means but a hell of a beer-gut bra! Not sure I would get on the blocks without it so the hiatus may continue. Is it worth alienating us "plus-sized" guys over this silly rule? I suppose it will give me yet another reason to dump some weight. Looks like those other 50+ breaststrokers won't get beat by this fat guy any time soon.
Anyone else out there feel the same? I know most of you out there don't have this problem but to have a rule that reduces participation seems counterproductive.
Lee Rider
Fort Bragg, CA
Well, I'm coming back to swim at Master's meets after a 5 year hiatus (surgeries, etc) and find that I cannot wear my "Farmer John" suit bought in 2000 and worn in 4 previous national meets (except this spring). Not a "tech" suit by any means but a hell of a beer-gut bra! ...
Lee Raises a good question....
Does the rule absolutely "prevent" him from swimming in the meet, or does it "disqualify" his results if he swims with his suit?
In short, could he still swim but not place? (Not suggesting he would WANT to do this, just wondering if he CAN do this?)
Why would you want to swim in a meet and not have the results count?
Just asking. I wouldn't.
That is a good question though, would they let you on the blocks?
If they let you swim, knowing you will be DQd, that could start posing some challenges for officials. If more and more people do it...
In any sport, does anyone wear apparel that is not legal? Or would this be unique to swimming?
I guess you could still swim in your tech suit, although you'd be DQd and none of your times would be posted. I wonder if the meet ref would let you continue after the first DQ however.
I'm not sure what the answer is, but it seems like a slippery slope. If I can wear a tech suit after June 1 and take a DQ just to see how fast I would have gone, then couldn't I do the same with a wetsuit? Or a monofin? Or a kayak?
All of this falls, I believe, into the realm of "Referee Discretion". My guess, 9 out of 10 times, the referee will pull you down off the blocks and not let you swim. If you tried to swim knowing you were violating a rule like that, you might get yourself an "unsportsmanlike conduct" DQ before you can even step up. Or at the very least, simply by stepping onto the blocks with an obviously illegal suit, you are DQed before you even start.
-Rick
After considering this, I think I'd be a little miffed if someone showed up in an illegal suit. Play by the rules or don't play, IMHO. :D
I have to agree with this. While Masters meets are very laid back and tolerant, intentionally showing up and cheating would certainly not be viewed favorably. It would be distracting to know the swimmer next to me would be DQd, if they weren't pulled off the block.
What is the difference and does it matter if you are wearing an approved suit or not. You should only be DQ'd if you set a record and are not wearing a Fina Approved suit.
Yes, George, that makes tons of sense, the speed at which you swim determines whether or not your suit is legal.
What is the difference and does it matter if you are wearing an approved suit or not. You should only be DQ'd if you set a record and are not wearing a Fina Approved suit.
From a technical perspective, it absolutely matters for team points. If your team loses by 1 point, and it's because you got beaten by someone who was cheating with an illegal suit... wouldn't you be upset?
Or top 10. So you're 11th on the list because one person in front of you swam a time with an illegal suit?
This is all not to mention the distraction issue.
If rules only matter to you if you set a record... then please don't ever come to a meet that I'm at.
-Rick
