USAT AAC

I received this email from a former resident who wishes to remain anonymous...

Vic

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I appreciate Libby’s thoughtful response to this question.  Her explanation raised a couple thoughts for me:

I have to disagree on the point about the Residents being a “’team’ in every sense of the word.”  They are certainly not a “team” in the tactical sense because the athletes are each racing with individual goals.  At the risk of sounding too blasé about a very significant program, the Resident team is technically a glorified training group; one that enjoys incredible facilities and offers many amenities to its athletes.  Keep in mind, most triathlon trade teams (much like pro cycling teams) race together with common goals but do not live and train together for much of the year.  Instead, each athlete typically trains with his or her own “athlete-centered, coach-driven” group, of which the USAT Resident program could be one (for those who are lucky enough to have a spot, of course).  Most members of these training groups will tell you they train together every day like a team, even though they do not race as one… just like the Resident team.  So, if we followed this logic, then members of any training group should be prohibited by their coaches from joining a trade team.  This obviously would not make sense.  So to my mind, this “team” argument is not a legitimate reason to keep Residents from taking advantage of trade team offers because it draws on a distinction between the Resident team and other coaching/training group options that actually does not exist.  Moreover, if USAT truly has at heart the best interests of the athletes they have selected for the Resident team, then I think those athletes should be supported in any opportunity that could enrich their experience and success as an athlete.

On the other hand, I could understand if USAT were concerned that the resources they were sinking into Resident team members were going to help that athlete’s non-resident, trade teammates, particularly if those teammates are not American.  …although as far as I could tell that was not one of the arguments stated.