May 22, 2009 I have varying opinions with regard to the various stances the federatons are taking. I understand the desire to prop up the senior athletes that have done extrodinary things but if the suit has no effect as some claim or if they are the best ever in their particular race, they will repeat their accomplishment.
First although I think it is a dumb move (although they are placating their sponsor) I think that each nation has the right to determine their athletes that they send to worlds. So I'm ok with Italy's decision to allow their athletes to use the various suits. I would think that those athletes in Italy that don't have access or resources to buy the suits would be ticked off but that is Italy's burden to take care of. Of course no one wearing a banned suit would be able to claim a world or national record and their qualifying time to get into world's would have to be done in a legal suit but I find this different.
That being said, the flouting of the rules by Japan and France with regard to record ratification provokes a stronger reaction to me. Bernard's and Irie's records were not set in suits that were ok one day and not ok the next. The X-glide and Irie's combo suit had never been approved. They had to know that. So they knew what the prospects were when they swam in those suits. For Japan to say they will ratify a swim in a suit that was never approved is a gigantic thumbing their nose at FINA. In France's case, I don't think they can ratify Bernard's swim but in a potential contradiction, I would be ok if they OK'd Bousquets swim. It would cause confusion to be sure but his case is different. The swim was done in a suit, while aiding the swim, that was approved by FINA for use. He wasn't explicitly violating the rules as of the day that the swim was made. Please correct me if I am wrong in terms of FINAs ok of the Jaked01 but Fred swam in an approved suit as opposed to the others. Whether it should have been is another question.
In short if France and Japan go ahead with plans to ratify swims in suits that were never approved, there should be sanctions. Barring the countries from Worlds as some have suggested seems too harsh for me. But something else should be done. Not so sure about Italy unless they go further than what they are currently doing.
Just my thoughts and likely some of them will not be agreeable to others. As always, I could be wrong.
Submitted by:
teamwiess
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