As seen on Swiminfo today.......so much for citizenship eh?! And we complain about masters "superteams"!
Draganja Changing Allegiances to Qatar
ZAGREB, Croatia, December 7. WHILE South Africa’s Roland Schoeman has spurned an offer to switch his allegiance to Qatar, the same cannot be said for Croatian Duje Draganja. The sprint sensation, a 24-year-old, recently accepted a lucrative offer to swim for the Middle Eastern nation, which has been chasing high-profile athletes by offering significant sums of money.
Before accepting the offer from Qatar, which is believed to be at least $1 million, Draganja gave Croatian swimming officials the opportunity to keep him swimming under his homeland’s flag. Ultimately, though, the Arab nation won out and Draganja is expected to race for Qatar at next year’s World Short Course Championships in Shanghai, China.
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I think there should be a meet where the 8 fastest people in each event get on the blocks and race. Not sure if the Olympics or World Championships need to be altered, yet from a fan standpoint it would be refreshing.
I think what Duje has done may change the fabric of the sport. In a way he became a free agent, like what Curt Flood did to Major League Baseball in the 60s. Since swimming doesn't have professional league and swimming for your country is the only method of financial reward, this may be the first of many switching allegiances or dual citizenships to come.
I think there should be a meet where the 8 fastest people in each event get on the blocks and race. Not sure if the Olympics or World Championships need to be altered, yet from a fan standpoint it would be refreshing.
I think what Duje has done may change the fabric of the sport. In a way he became a free agent, like what Curt Flood did to Major League Baseball in the 60s. Since swimming doesn't have professional league and swimming for your country is the only method of financial reward, this may be the first of many switching allegiances or dual citizenships to come.
