VOLUNTEER official when her bathing suit had the words Black Lives Matter on
it.
https://www.wdio.com/duluth-minnesota-news/12-year-old-duluth-swimmer-nearly-disqualified-for-black-lives-matter-swimsuit/6383106/
The VOLUNTEER official was concerned the swimmer broke the following rule of US
Swimming
(https://www.usaswimming.org/docs/default-source/rules-regulations/2021-rulebook.pdf)
C Advertising for the following shall not be allowed:
(1) Products involving tobacco, nicotine, psychoactive cannabinoids, alcohol or
pharmaceuticals containing substances banned under IOC or FINA rules;
(2) Political statements; and
(3) Any products or services that would be counter to the values of the sport
or bring
disrepute to USA Swimming.
D Swimmers in violation of the above provisions may be barred from the
competition venue
until they comply. However, any swimmer who competes in an event wearing
swimwear
in violation of these advertising provisions shall not be subject to
disqualification.
The swimmer was not disqualified and the VOLUNTEER official is banned from
officiating from YMCA events.
BLM IS a POLITICAL MESSAGE! The swimmer needed to change her bathing suit to
participate in the event.
Duluth parents PLEASE have your kids wear suits with "Prenatal Care Matters!",
"Vaccines Save Lives!", or Rainbow colored suit with "Love All People!" to the
next event! I completely agree that hurting people should be avoided, but this
action is political correctness gone wrong.
YMCA future = New rule will be everybody wears some dark color so there is no
debate and they are easily seen if they drown.