2012 Olympic Trials USA Swimming

Olympic Trials are linked with USMS LCM Nationals: www.usms.org/.../nationals.php 2012 USMS Summer Nationals Qwest Center, Omaha, NE July 5-8, 2012 Long Course Meters Qualifying Times will be available in early 2012 This is THE best Masters Nationals to attend, maybe ever.

CUTS I can't speak for the other cuts, but the men's 400 free cut hasn't changed since 1988 (maybe even earlier than that). I know all too well because I missed it then by a margin that still pains me. The 400 IM appears to have gotten a few seconds faster, though, probably a combination of back rollover turns and Kitajima-legalizing the dolphin on the *** pullout.

Andy, thanx for the update.:applaud:

I can't speak for the other cuts, but the men's 400 free cut hasn't changed since 1988 Yeah, the cuts aren't that fast. I'm sure lots of events will have more than 100 qualifiers. Is this really a good idea? Shouldn't Trials be a truly elite meet? I don't know. It does give lots of kids who really don't have a chance at making the team experience at a meet of this magnitude. It also brings in a lot more money to USA Swimming and Omaha. I have a feeling that second point may be the real reason they keep the cuts on the 'slow' side.

Yeah, the cuts aren't that fast. I'm sure lots of events will have more than 100 qualifiers. Is this really a good idea? Shouldn't Trials be a truly elite meet? I don't know. It does give lots of kids who really don't have a chance at making the team experience at a meet of this magnitude. It also brings in a lot more money to USA Swimming and Omaha. I have a feeling that second point may be the real reason they keep the cuts on the 'slow' side. If I recall correctly, it used to be possible to qualify for Trials in SCY and SCM. Now you can only qualify in LCM. So the times may not have changed, but it's still tougher to qualify if you're a short course specialist or don't have long course meets in your area.

If I recall correctly, it used to be possible to qualify for Trials in SCY and SCM. Now you can only qualify in LCM. So the times may not have changed, but it's still tougher to qualify if you're a short course specialist or don't have long course meets in your area. This is actually a good thing. I remember several people qualifying for Trials in SCY and yet not being near the qualifying time in LCM. Or, they just go to Trials even if they didn't train for it. Now, you have to do the time in LCM and thus, there will be some hard work behind. I say bravo to USA Swimming for putting their foot down. Also, the Olympics are in LCM, not Yards!

If I recall correctly, it used to be possible to qualify for Trials in SCY and SCM. Now you can only qualify in LCM. So the times may not have changed, but it's still tougher to qualify if you're a short course specialist or don't have long course meets in your area. That is true, at least the SCY part...I know because I made it in college one year (barely) in the 1650, but wasn't going to train my butt off for 3 more years to wait for the trials event only to come in DFL:bolt:

In 2008, the first day was looooong. Not just because they had three 400s that day, but because there were eight or nine heats of each. The longer the event, the fewer they should allow, for time. When I swam at Trials, only 50 people made the 100 *** cut. I think there will be a lot more than that in 2012.

Yeah, the cuts aren't that fast. I wouldn't go that far. These are still darn fast times and anyone who makes them should feel very proud. However, with guys going 3:40-low in the 400 and sub 15- in the 1500, it's probably unrealistic that someone who just makes the cut in either of those events is going to breakout to be a contender. Is this really a good idea? Shouldn't Trials be a truly elite meet? I can go both ways on this. I agree it should be an elite meet and it always is. The upside of more generous (but still fast) times, though, is that it might allow some up & coming teenagers the opportunity to compete at Trials, for example, in 2012 to take in the experience, the atmosphere, the stress, etc. and put them in a better place to compete 4 years later? Would making the cuts so fast that only 24/32 swimmers showed up be good for the broader swimming community? Would it change the outcomes. I think "probably not" and "no." This is actually a good thing. I remember several people qualifying for Trials in SCY and yet not being near the qualifying time in LCM. Or, they just go to Trials even if they didn't train for it. Now, you have to do the time in LCM and thus, there will be some hard work behind. I say bravo to USA Swimming for putting their foot down. Also, the Olympics are in LCM, not Yards!I agree with you, Tom. LCM swimming is different and the Olympics are LCM, so cuts should be. However, I only remember going after LCM cuts back in college, but maybe that's because the focus was on NCAA cuts during SCY season. For how long has it only been LCM cuts? I thought it was that way all along?

In 2008, the first day was looooong. Not just because they had three 400s that day, but because there were eight or nine heats of each. The longer the event, the fewer they should allow, for time. When I swam at Trials, only 50 people made the 100 *** cut. I think there will be a lot more than that in 2012. thru 8/24/2010 (come on USA-S update the information!!!) there were 63 men who made the 100 *** cut.