So it is with infinite sadness I view this year's FINA World Swimming Championships that begin (or at least the pool component does) in Rome this Sunday.
It has been well documented that FINA's bludgeoning of their own sport by allowing the use of swimsuits, that can be seen as nothing short of a hydrodynamic 'bubble', means this meet will border on farce.
Records and history will be demolished like never before. Ranking rising missiles whose body shapes are fortunate enough to be aided more than their rivals by these formerly unthinkable speed suits will come from everywhere. Athletes will be beaten purely by those with better rubber technology.
No manufacturer is innocent in this debacle but the water spout of blame must rest squarely on the pampered shoulders of those at the head of the FINA decision making table. Shame, FINA, shame!
But I ask for a moment that you to take a step back and consider the athletes inside the floatation devices.
They are the innocent victims of this whole situation that has raged on for a few years now and has come to an ugly head this July. Those and their coaches, families, fans and friends. Shame, FINA, shame!
From Michael Phelps to Eric the Eel - every swimmer will be affected one way or another. The meet will be written off by the media and just about everyone else as the fiasco it is and that is somewhat unfair on the athletes.
Granted, what was once a world record, a top ten all-time swim or a PB is in nigh all cases now no longer relevant but these athletes have still trained and prepared to be at their best for this eight-day period. They will still stand on the blocks and give their all for themselves and their countries, knowing a world title is on the line. The times they swim will mean jack, the effort they put in will not.
Think of those whose dreams will be shattered and those who will achieve something previously unthinkable. And hope too that the latter achievers know in their heart of hearts how they improved so much so quickly.
Think of the athlete fortunate enough to be paid by a manufacturer (and again, while not the cause of this mess, no manufacturer is free of all guilt here) as an ambassador who is forced to make a decision on which suit to wear based on a fear of having no chance of winning because they believe loyalty, a contract and no doubt the associated sponsorship dollars means something. While these athletes may have benefited more than others in the past, none deserve to be put in this position by the boffins running their sport.
Think of those whose achievements will forever be looked upon, a little unfairly, in a category not that far from those that used induced performance enhancers.
Shame, FINA, shame!
Yeah it's a complete shame (and waste of a Worlds hey) especially because this was all avoidable. I don't think it will be COMPLETELY written off because it's almost a level playing field (in that everyone can at the end of the day get their pick) but yeah times disregard them. Even those in LZR's. So far we have Trickett, Adlington, Lochte and Phelps using a LZR but I'm not granting them an exemption from the suits debate because IMO, it's suits v briefs, seeing as LZR's contain Polyurethane anyway. You were spot on about how this is going to wreak havoc with people's sponsorship, especially since Swimming as a sport isn't high paid and doesn't bring alot of money in with it to begin with.
ReplyDeleteI say keep having these controversies as it will keep media interest in the sport
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