Testosterone and fairness

The recent email regarding the transgender athlete policy references “USMS’s commitment to inclusion, fairness, and the integrity of competition, values that have defined our organization throughout its 55-year history.” Which begs the question, what is the organization’s policy regarding performance enhancing drugs? In point of fact, there is none. 

I think the stated policy is to follow World Aquatics ie PEDS are not allowed, but without testing that is de facto no policy.

It's like "speed limit is 65, but no one is monitoring it and there are no consequences for speeding"

I think the stated policy is to follow World Aquatics ie PEDS are not allowed, but without testing that is de facto no policy.

It's like "speed limit is 65, but no one is monitoring it and there are no consequences for speeding"

No such stated policy exists. The use of tobacco products on deck or in the locker rooms is, however, expressly prohibited (102.15).

Interesting 

practically every major sporting group has denounced the enhanced games. We anre tacitly endorsing our own enhanced games. I submit that USMS should endorse the same doping policy as US Swimming S. Further that there is a statement that competitors who set a world or national record may be tested. I think that probably an inadequate threat might at least deter some cheating

Several years ago, after being told that the cost of even limited drug testing would be too high, I proposed a simple statement saying that the use of performance enhancing drugs in USMS was prohibited and was rebuffed. 

I thought that USMS followed the World Aquatic doping rules. I guess my belief came from the USMS Lance Armstrong affair in 2013. At the time the USMS press release described the relationship that excluded Lance from competition as being derivative through FINA (World Aquatics) to United States Aquatic Sports to USMS. https://swimswam.com/usms-armstrong-is-not-eligible-to-race-in-usms-competitions/  I guess that just dealt with his exclusion from competition in sports within the WADA umbrella and not the adoption of WADA regulations by USMS.

With the advent of supporters for  the "Enhanced Games"  https://www.enhanced.com/series-b the tide may shift about the adoption of doping regulations - in the US at least. What could go wrong with that...

"Our mission, dating back to the 60s, is we encourage adults to swim," Rob Butcher, executive director of Masters Swimming told the Associated Press. "Lance is a member of USMS so he is eligible to swim."

USMS is unwilling to address the use of performance enhancing drugs because the organization believes that would reduce participation.  

When USMS started the only thing that mattered was not lying about your age. Also, as I remember the drug issue was basically an honor system, nevermind the expense of blood tests particularly on folks who because of age or illness, etc. need to take certain drugs. 

Anabolic steroids. We’re talking about anabolic steroids. Which are more readily available now than they were when USMS was founded. And I am not aware of any honor system, either express or implied.