World Shortcourse Selection Policy

[Bazza]

Just checked this out on the ASA website.

Only swimmers selected to compete at the Commonwealth Games are eligible. Then they have to be:

- Defending world champion ranked #1 in the world shortcourse,
- Top 6 finisher in Montreal ranked top 2 in GB longcourse,
- Or ranked top 4 in world longcourse

So that narrows it down quite alot (as usual). And why are we using longcourse performances to determine selection for world shortcourse champs?

[NotVeryFast]

So, you could be ranked #1 in world short course, but not be the defending champion (pehaps because you have improved over the last two years), and you wouldn't be allowed on the team. Makes perfect sense :speechles

[Baker]

And if Mark Foster doesnt make the commonwealths he wont be allowed to defend his title. NICE ONE (also i think he has 'never' failed to medal at the world short course).

I understand that Short Course generally isn't treated with the media hype as long course is but from that policy it looks like its harder to qualify for short course champs than it was for the Olympics...

I fail to understand the logic behind this

[NotVeryFast]

Also, if every country applied such stringent selection, it would basically be the end of top-level swimming competition, as you wouldn't even have enough swimmers taking part, in total, to fill the pool for a final for each event, let alone heats and semis.

[Baker]

I have been sitting on the fence for quite a while with the Bill Sweetenham debate. On some points I agree with Bill, and admire him. However, after seeing that selection policy, seeing rumours about Burnett changing nationality, and seeing his 'do it my way or leave' approach, he is really starting to thoroughly **** me off. He is just killing swimming. Its a joke. Will we even get one entry for these champs?

[Taxiandbank]

I have been sitting on the fence for quite a while with the Bill Sweetenham debate. On some points I agree with Bill, and admire him. However, after seeing that selection policy, seeing rumours about Burnett changing nationality, and seeing his 'do it my way or leave' approach, he is really starting to thoroughly **** me off. He is just killing swimming. Its a joke. Will we even get one entry for these champs?
Tancock and Davis. Thats it.

[Tara]

For your comparison, this is the "small" team Australia is taking...

Australian team for short course worlds (http://www.swimming.org.au/meets_and_results/news_item.cfm?ObjectID=1596&NewsID=15774&FeaturedMeet=0)

They are even taking 5th place swimmers (and maybe 6th??) from 200/100 free for relays :)

[Phil Tanner]

Also, if every country applied such stringent selection, it would basically be the end of top-level swimming competition, as you wouldn't even have enough swimmers taking part, in total, to fill the pool for a final for each event, let alone heats and semis.

That's a very neat way of looking at things. If we are signed up to these bodies, do we have a moral obligation to support their events by sending as many people who meet their already very stiff entry criteria?

[Taxiandbank]

I suppose it's a money thing. 10 swimmers, head coach, a couple of coaches, female chaperone, physiotherapist, sports scientist and a media person. Soon adds up! Knowing British Swimming we would also have a consultant tagging along.:devil:

[selkie]

And the US rosters for SC Worlds. US swimming apparently considers it something of a developmental meet- lots of swimmers really on their first National A team.

http://www.usaswimming.org/USASWeb/ViewNewsArticle.aspx?TabId=0&Alias=Rainbow&Lang=en-US&ItemId=897&mid=45

[Aussiebabe]

It's a shame as it won't give any of your young up and coming swimmers a chance to swim a big meet without any pressure.

Experience at these meets for the youngsters is vital and i'm sure both Australia and the USA will have many new faces at this meet and not so many of the big names.

Australia has done this for many years now to give the kids confidence at some bigger meets and also to keep them interested in the sport.

[Mac]

i think it's fair to say that Britain has tended to use the European short course for the purposes of giving the 'young up and coming swimmers' a chance for experience. Also, given the much less stringent qualifying crieria for the European long course i presume that that event is also being used as an 'experience' meet. When and where is the next world short course?

[Bazza]

Shanghai 5-9 April 2006.