Why I'm disappointed about the new USA Gymnastics photography policy

In light of USA Gymnastics' new photography policy (only point and shoot cameras allowed for people without credentials), I'd like to explain why I take pictures and why I don't want to go to meets where I can't take pictures.

I've done gymnastics since I was very young. When I lived in Southern California, I continued doing gymnastics as an adult because there were several gyms that offered adult classes in gymnastics/tumbling/trampoline. When I first moved to Austin, I excitedly started looking for somewhere to workout - hoping to stay involved with the sport I love only to find out that most gyms here don't offer adult classes. Sometimes an adult class will appear in South Austin but that's 40 miles from my house and not an easy drive during rush hour. I found myself with no way to stay involved with gymnastics and totally unmotivated to watch any gym meets (I find it too depressing to just sit and watch a meet when I wish I could still be involved).

Then I upgraded my DSLR camera and began taking gymnastics pictures (I've done photography since high school). All of a sudden, I was excited about gymnastics again. I found a way to stay involved and I was motivated to drive to Dallas to go to the competitions. Those of you that have met me know that I have chronic injuries and I cannot spend long hours on my feet. Thus, I never intended to be a professional photographer who has to stand all day at the meets - you guys have my utmost respect for standing there all day long! I've always obeyed the "no commercial photography" rules and I've never once sold any of my photos.

USA Gymnastics used to have a photography policy that stated "no lenses greater than 6 inches". I thought this was a very reasonable and fair rule (no monopods or tripods either - which is also reasonable). This rule allowed people in the stands to take decent photos while the pros on floor could get the best angle and sharper photos since they were close enough to use a 1.8 lens (allowing for faster shutter speed). For awhile I found a very exciting way to stay involved in the sport and I was eager to travel to Dallas to attend the meets.

Now USA Gymnastics has changed their rule to allow only point and shoot cameras from the stands and no lenses greater than 35mm. I think this is very unfair. If I can't take pictures, then why should I spend hundreds of dollars to drive to Dallas (or travel further for the other meets) just to watch? I can WATCH gymnastics on TV! I'm trying to stay involved not just WATCH. It seems that USA Gymnastics doesn't want to encourage fans to take pictures? But why not? If it encourages fans to attend and it publicizes the sport then it's a positive thing.

I'm not sure why this new policy was put into place. I doubt it has anything to do with flash photography (which is dangerous and distracting) because, from my experience, it's the point and shoot cameras that are more likely to have the flash go off accidentally. Is this new policy a way to force the parents to buy photos from the pros instead of taking their own photos? I don't have kids but I think it's wrong to tell the parents of the gymnasts that they can't take photos of their own kids competing. Do other sports tell the parents that they can't take pictures of their kids with a real camera? I doubt it.

I feel like gymnastics is becoming a very exclusive sport. I hear that attendance at the meets is low and I'm not surprised. It's hard to stay excited about a sport that won't let you participate after the age of 18 and won't let you come to the meets and take pictures. What is left for an ex-gymnast to do? I would really like to see gymnastics become a sport that everyone can participate in and where the fans are made to feel welcome and encouraged to publicize the sport. It seems that gymnastics is just pushing me out the door.....

Please USA Gymnastics.... let's return to the "no lenses greater than 6 inches rule" and I'll start coming to the meets again.