I Can't Use My Suit?

The past mantra from techies was, "You're swimming against yourself, leave us alone. We're not hurting anybody." Interesting to see the switch. What switch? I haven't switched, nor have many of the other pro-suit folks that I know, but at this point the rules are the rules. And wearing unapproved swimwear in a sanctioned competition is against the rules. Diving in for a butterfly race intending to swim freestyle is also against the but at least the race starts with the presumption that you intend to follow the rules. Wearing approved swimwear fails that check. I don't like the ruling, I voiced my point of view to appropriate folks but it is the ruling so now I'm trying to deal with it by building a better boat.

The past mantra from techies was, "You're swimming against yourself, leave us alone. We're not hurting anybody." Interesting to see the switch. I never said "we're not hurting anybody." That would have been way too defensive for someone wearing perfectly legal suits. Don't hold your breath on the asterisks.

I suppose one way that it makes sense is if it is difficult to distinguish a "non-tech" from a "tech" suit. For men, anyway, the rule as written is relatively easy to enforce. You can also argue that even non-tech body suits provide a competitive advantage by making a flabby person more streamlined through compression. As far as discouraging participation, based on the heated arguments from both camps I think you can argue that any rule regulating or allowing swim suits will do that one way or another. To be blunt (and I'll probably catch grief about this) I'm just not that impressed by this statement from someone who hasn't competed in five years. Just saying. Most people who suffer from "modesty" issues (or whatever you want to call it) don't seem to have a problem wearing much more revealing suits in practice; few of them wear full-coverage suits in practice. So why is it an issue for meets? The strangers who are present? This is an honest question, not a put-down. There are definitely times where I'm not always proud of my physique, but the bottom line is that swimming is simply not the sport of choice for those who are ashamed of their bodies. I think the other issue of fairness for "equal coverage" for men and women is silly. Life isn't fair, and I think generally women get the short end of the stick more than men, so I don't mind a reversal here. Aside from the issue of modesty (which requires upper body coverage for women), it is harder for most fit women to be streamlined than fit men, for obvious reasons, so unequal coverage seems warranted. Wow: Actually, I feel worse for you guys getting beaten by a fat guy! I can say that with authority; swimming right at a minute for the 100 breaststroke in my late '40's and getting beaten exactly three times in 7 events at 3 SCY Nationals (2 times after spinal surgery in '05), 5 national and 2 world records, as well as beating Roque Santos in the 100 *** at Pac Masters SCY 12 years his senior (though I was tapered and he wasn't). So, after 2 spinal surgeries, a little weight gain to augment an already prodigious body, I guess I'll just have to swim a meet this year at the age of 54 (which I was planning on doing any way). I didn't start this thread to discuss cheating, rules, etc. I didn't consider not swimming another meet because of the suit changes, but I thought that if the changes would discourage just one person from competing because of body issues, and that one meet could change that person's life, the new rules just weren't worth it. I would think that the USMS would be more inclusive than that. I just don't understand why masters swimming has to go along with the FINA non-masters rules. Could it be that one could qualify for a senior national meet at a masters event, so the same rules for suits would be needed? This seems odd since there are some masters rules (breaststroke kick in the butterfly comes to mind) would disqualify you in a senior meet. The comment "the bottom line is that swimming is simply not the sport of choice for those who are ashamed of their bodies" is really repugnant. I guess getting your ass kicked in a race while looking good is more important than providing an opportunity for an overweight person to feel just a little better about themselves on the blocks. 'nuff said.

I'm certain the poster was being sarcastic, but without a "sarcasm emoticon" it is hard to tell, isn't it? For example, consider the following: "The ability to conceal thewookiee's overly-hairy body is perhaps the strongest argument I've heard for keeping the full-body tech suits!" Sarcastic? Serious? Or just plain right? You decide. :bolt: They don't make a suit thick enough for that. Both of you can kiss hairy :mooning:

Why would you want to swim in a meet and not have the results count? Just asking. I wouldn't. I do this all the time. Like, swimming freestyle races butterfly. It works out fine. I know how fast I swam.

When the thread turns to wookie's backside I think we can say it has run full course. Oh, the humanity. You are jealous that my backside looks better than your frontside.

Sorry, Wookiee, you are done in this thread. Move on, nothing left for you here. This is between leeky and myself. Don't you have to go hibernate for awhile longer?

The past mantra from techies was, "You're swimming against yourself, leave us alone. We're not hurting anybody." Interesting to see the switch. At first I thought, I don't give a hoot if someone wears an illegal suit. They will be disqualified anyway. But, after some thought, I care. I don't want to see people wearing fins, paddles, pull bouys, watches, or other aids in competition. Now if we can just add the asterisks.

Don't hold your breath on the asterisks. Fortress*, I won't.

The comment "the bottom line is that swimming is simply not the sport of choice for those who are ashamed of their bodies" is really repugnant. Why? It is simply an observation that such people generally tend not to be the ones who wear form-fitting competition suits by choice. They may prefer sports like running, where you are fully clothed. I have no opinion on whether this is a good or bad thing; it is a personal preference, not a moral issue. I've seen plenty of fast overweight people. I am neither more nor less impressed by them (or you) than any other fast person. By the way, I do not equate "being ashamed of your body" with "being overweight." They are not the same, and plenty of overweight people have no problem wearing jammers or briefs. I have also seen plenty of skinny people who are nevertheless very self-conscious of their body.