Today, the Chicago Tribune is featuring an article on a Palestinian Swimmer who is getting ready for Athens. "Palestinian suits up for Athens" at www.chicagotribune.com
It tells the story of a boy who is training in a pool with way less than ideal conditions. In fact - the pool's ceiling is sheets of plastic and it costs the boys father about $100 a day in the winter to keep the pool heated. The pictures are amazing (but you may not be able to see them on the internet). In addition to the plastic around the entire pool, the blocks look like they are made of cement, the lanelines look like about 40 years old, and there is a nice fog on top of the water. I can't do it justice - but suffice it to say - we really shouldn't complain about our less than perfect pools.
Parents
Former Member
Yes, and congratulations to Phil Whitten for a good piece of reporting. Unlike the other press outlets (NY Times, Chicago Tribune, USA Today) the real tragedy is the swimmers father, who is also his coach, refusal to let his son swim in a much better program due to the father's dispute with the facility. The swimmer's progress has suffered greatly and more than likely it's due to his father excessive pride.
Good to hear that the Y is behaving exactly the way one would expect based on the pretty common experience throughout the world. They have opened up their facility to all swimmers and make accomodations for those swimmers that cannot pay. This is once again a great example of how this institution works so well to promote our sport across the world.
(Note: I am not affiliated with a Y but have enjoyed hospitality at Ys as a guest throughout the world and appreciate all that they do for swimming).
The real tragedy is the apparently overbearing father. The real hero is the Y organization. Too bad, the major media never got the story right.
Yes, and congratulations to Phil Whitten for a good piece of reporting. Unlike the other press outlets (NY Times, Chicago Tribune, USA Today) the real tragedy is the swimmers father, who is also his coach, refusal to let his son swim in a much better program due to the father's dispute with the facility. The swimmer's progress has suffered greatly and more than likely it's due to his father excessive pride.
Good to hear that the Y is behaving exactly the way one would expect based on the pretty common experience throughout the world. They have opened up their facility to all swimmers and make accomodations for those swimmers that cannot pay. This is once again a great example of how this institution works so well to promote our sport across the world.
(Note: I am not affiliated with a Y but have enjoyed hospitality at Ys as a guest throughout the world and appreciate all that they do for swimming).
The real tragedy is the apparently overbearing father. The real hero is the Y organization. Too bad, the major media never got the story right.
