After being named Head Coach of the 2016 U.S. Olympic Team, David Marsh touched on one of the controversial issues surrounding SwimMAC’s Ryan Lochte this summer. Earlier this year, Marsh and Lochte debuted a new freestyle strategy at the 2015 Athens Sectionals, where Lochte did his underwater dolphin kicks on his back during the 200 IM final.
The rules were unclear about whether or not it was legal to do back dolphin kicks on the freestyle portion of an IM. During freestyle races, athletes can swim any stroke or style. In the IM races, however, freestyle cannot include fly, back, or breast. This is to avoid having swimmers repeat any stroke during the race.
Since this was called into question at the 2015 FINA World Championships, Lochte’s new technique has now been ruled illegal. When asked about his reaction to this, Marsh expressed his disappointment towards the ruling, but is unconcerned about Lochte’s ability to maintain fast underwaters on the breat to free turn.
“Ryan is a good enough athlete to figure out how to go fast if you tell him to jump out of the water and do a front flip. He’ll go fast doing that if that’s the rule,” said Marsh.
He showed concern over a ruling that seemed to single out Lochte, given that this has never been a major issue before. The rules had not previously specified the underwater portion of the freestyle leg.
“I’m actually a little more concerned about maybe a knee-jerk reaction to one swimmer kind of figuring out a way that he uniquely -has the ability to kick very fast on his back- could benefit from that kind of move.”
Marsh does not believe that the rule will be overturned.
And they avoid the topic of people doing double kicks on breaststroke pullouts…
Banning this is really stupid. If this stayed legal, I don’t think everyone would use it. Not everyone could utilize this to their advantage. Its kind of like in the cross over turn, swimmers use different styles and some swimmers don’t use a cross over turn at all even at the elite level. Banning this takes away some individuality from the sport.
Berkoff and Misty Hyman come to mind. Also..
Kitajima breaks a written rule, gets a lot of media attention for it, and the rule is changed to accomodate it
Lochte pushes the norm of swimming within the written rule, gets a lot of media attention, and a rule is written to prevent it
Continued legacy of fair and logical governance. Thanks FINA!
You say this as though international athletics governing bodies are corrupt… ridiculous.
Obviously we are so highly respected because we are so fair and honest.
Thanks coach for confirming my post on the former thread . it only affects Ryan . The situation is under control – and they are ‘moving on’.
it is similar to cycling , someone turns up with a technological newbie that they win with but is soon over ruled . in gymnastics some olympic winning moves e.g. mary lou’s signature bars were later banned because of danger .
FINA have added many more events over the 4 sports since 88 & most are innovative e.g. mixed synchro , high diving . SOME HAVE HAD RULE CHANGES -SURPRISE! Pool swimming is welcome to move out & find a new home but of course it can’t be managed because it… Read more »
Shades of 1988. Oh yeah the same people are still there.
There couldn’t be a more perfect person to leave this comment.
Exactly, why focus on this instead of stuff that needs work, like doping control and breaststroke pullouts, glad to see fina isn’t trying to make swimming a better sport.