Diver DQ'd For Flags On Suit Reinstated To State Meet

[Presidential Fan]

I learned of this story on my way home from a radio sports show.

The story is a gal diving at the District Meet in Cleveland was disqualifed after 5 of 11 dives for wearing a bathing suit that displayed a number of flags. At the time of her disqualification she was third and I believe the top nine qualify. A court allowed a temporary restraining order and set a hearing date after the state tournament, so therefore she will be able to dive.

There was an interview with an OHSAA offical in charge of the meet as part of the show, and while I can sympathize with his difficult position, he used some fairly weak excuses like:
- the coach should have known and it was his/her role to assure the athletes comply with all rules (that one I can buy although he tried to throw in the jewelry rule and the hosts pointed out the difference between the "flag" and some ear-rings).
- the rules are the rules (getting shaky).
- a concern that other coaches would protest the rule infraction and the meet results down the line (are there any coaches that would?, maybe).
- that some other national federation provides model rules (passing the buck is always shaky to me).

Pretty much a mess, I feel for the gal and wish her well in the state meet, that must have been a very tough experience. Another softball served up by the OHSAA to critics, glad the Judge ruled as he/she did, I think the parents did right by seeking relief from the court.

Here's a link to an article, including a picture of the offending suit.

http://www.cleveland.com/hsswimming...andard.xsl?/base/sports/10142082122712212.xml

 

[GoBucks]

I think the girl should have to wear a legal outfit for obvious reasons but the rule seems to be very vague. Letting a diver wear a suit that is plastered with advertisements would be wrong, but wearing a suit that is "decorated" with flags should be treated no differently than a suit that has different colored stripes. It's a fashion statement that also has some social commentary built in.

If it violated a rule, it should have been caught before her first dive since it was in plain view of every spectator. Let her change into another outfit and things would have been fine.

I've seen many sporting events where an athlete wore something illegal, usually a necklace, and when the official saw the illegal jewelry, they simply asked them to remove it. I never heard of them disqualifying and individual or team because of it.

 

[Presidential Fan]

I agree, usually a swimmer has a few suits stuffed in the travel bag, you never no when you might suffer catastrophic failure - a rip in a revealing place. Just saying go change the suit should have been the solution. The coach should accept some of the blame.