Mar 04 2008
What is going on in the Swimming Community?
We’ve already displayed our venom for Wasserman Media Group on here before, but there are new things going on that sadden us.
We don’t know the details, but Garrett at FloSwimming has been suspended from covering USA Swimming competitions.
I will preface most of this post by stating that I absolutely do not know the entire story behind this move. From an outsiders perspective it just looks bad.
I also have been informed by WCSN that they own the rights to the Grand Prix meets. I’m not sure where WMG comes into the picture, but I’m they’re in the mix somewhere. Regardless, this has created a mess for fans of the sport!
The Missouri Grand Prix was stupid fast. Absolutely ridiculous. Why are we not allowed to see footage from that competition? Why are the powers that be sitting on these races? When will we see them, if we see them at all?
My situation is definitely different than what’s going on at floswimming, but I feel like this will be the standard when it comes to USAS competitions and that saddens me. If you can’t get to the meet yourselves, pickings will be slim.
This is all very frustrating for those of us who put so much time, money, and energy into promoting swimming. It effectively clips our wings and those who have to suffer are the fans and participants in the sport.
Anyone else have more info on this story?
P.S. I don’t want my media credentials revoked too, so don’t expect me to post much (if any) race footage from meets I cover from the deck. These days, our vids tend to mostly be goofy, like Davis telling us about his 400 Free prelim at the Eric Namesnik GP meet last year. We have some plans for some Swim Aid shenanigans, but now we know that none of those will include any races!
ETA: The 2 WCSN reps I spoke to, who told me the co. owned grand prix footage, seemed to have mispoken. They were referring to Diving Grand Prix meets, while I was asking about swimming competitions. WCSN has nothing to do with the Toyota Grand Prix Circuit.
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5 Responses to “What is going on in the Swimming Community?”
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I must say I was shocked when I read this! Who does wmg think they are?! The fucking swimming police?? Suspended from covering swimming? This is crazy. I’m officially mad.
i am reallllly shocked. WHAT THE FREAK?
i hate the WMG. swimming isnt main stream and this will only make it less main stream. aldklfkalf;afkkbaklfnlajdfbm kfagljadsflk
suspended from covering swimming is such a ridiculous statement.
WOW! This was shocking to read! I agree with Erika, swimming nazis?
I don’t think there is anything to worry about, ladies. We know the rules. The rules are, when there are big time cameras are around, no filming races. Especially finals.
I guess those few videos of race footage that Flowswimming had up were enough to appear as a slap in the face of USA Swimming after they warned them not to film more races.
It also seemed to me that USA swimming left some provisions that would allow them to get back their passes.
If you think back a couple years ago there was some backlash about posting photos that people didn’t own the rights to. That has worked itself out. Usually all it takes is an E-mail asking for permission to post. We have found that with the lovely Peter Bick as well as SWmag.
I know sites like ours (and flowsimming) are only trying make the sport more accessible to fans of the sport, but I think we also have to be careful to work together. And not “steal” each others content. We are the same family. With, hopefully, the same interests. There is room for everyone as long as we don’t step on each other’s toes.
I love the Flowswimming site. I hope they can work it all out.
Very well said, although sometimes not everyone is on the same page. For example, some reps may tell you that filming certain things is ok and others say nothing at all may be recorded. I also think that USAS and WMG, and whomever, need to all get on the same page with regards to those type of situations.
I asked many times about filming only prelims at Nationals and was given the OK by the media department on more than one occasion. WMG seemed not to like it and all the vids were removed from YouTube. I wouldn’t have wasted my time had I known up front! You know what I mean?
I know rules are in place and have no problem following them. But when you receive mixed messages, it’s hard to tow the line. So, my only hope is that all parties get on board with all of the rules, so any confusion will be avoided in the future.
And I’m not so sure “everything worked out” with the image thing a few years back. That webmaster was not a US resident, and I think that saved her as far as copyright law goes. If any one here had been targetted, they would have been fined thousands. Trust me. I’ve been there.
But I like the family picture you’ve painted in your comment. That really is what we’re all trying to do. I feel like singing Kum-Ba-ya all together again!