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Disquieting Thoughts...Fallout from the Great Swimsuit Debate of 2008
Posted by
John Spinner
on Oct. 18, 2008
Updated by
John Spinner
on Sept. 28, 2009
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I’m proud that the ASCA Board took a firm stance opposed to the use of the new high tech swimsuits introduced in 2008 at its most recent Board Meeting in September of 2008. I’m gratified that the Board asked me to work on solving this issue in a reasonable way. I’m happy that the USA Swimming House of Delegates voted to restrict, in a “beginning” sort of way at its most recent meeting in Atlanta in Sept. I’m delighted that various Local Swimming Committees of USA Swimming have chose to enact even more restrictive legislation within their own LSC since then. Its nice to know that a very authoritative source tells me that nearly 100% of Australian Coaches agree with us and want the tech suits banned for all ages including internationals.
And then the gnawing doubts start.
First, we’ve heard virtually nothing on this topic from Australia in official terms, except that they will follow the FINA rule. Australian Swimming is heavily sponsored by a major swimsuit manufacturer. Ok, well, surely the Australian Coaches will speak up as ASCA has done? No? Well, ASCTA is heavily sponsored by Australian Swimming. No independence there at all.
I’m sure USA Swimming will speak up officially from the leadership. No, the official silence is deafening. Volunteers at USA Swimming are leading the way in restricting the suits for age groupers. Good. USA Swimming also has a contractual relationship with a swimsuit manufacturer as does virtually every National Govering Body in the sport.
Now like a lot of people, when i am thinking something through, i argue with furniture a lot. Or my dashboard in the car. Or scenery on a run.
That dang couch is stubborn, the dashboard is downright obstinate, and the palm trees here in South Florida are downright arrogant!
As i argue with the couch, the dashboard and the palm trees about the suit issue, i say to them, “well, guys, if worst comes to worst, since all the coaches hate the new suits, we simply can tell our kids not to wear ‘em.”
In fact, a high ranking volunteer (and coach) in USA Swimming told me, “while i agree with your premise, I am irritated that my coaches association is telling me, via pushing these rules, what to have my kids wear and don’t trust me to make the right decision on my own!”
I can’t even argue with that. I agree with him.
So i picture myself walking into every coaches meeting i attend in the next two years and saying “Listen Guys, even if FINA can’t see beyond their noses here, and the national federations are kowtowing to the suit companies, we can solve this problem on our own by just telling our kids they can’t wear the suit. Problem solved”
And i know intuitively, that i am dead wrong. 100% wrong. Or more accurately, 92% wrong. Because that 8% is the number of coach owned or coach run programs in the United States of America.
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