from Swimming World Magazine:
Schoeman, Several South African Stars Facing Raw Deal from National Governing Body
Several topics at play here...
Personally, I find it hard to agree with making some exceptions for studs, but as these guys are essentially paying their own way on behalf of the country/swim federation, I agree that they're getting the shaft here. One could make a case that they're being slightly exploited.
Perhaps Qatar will grand them citizenship and they can train with Duje. One hell of a 400 free relay.
feel free to comment and post other examples of swimmers getting the shaft...
But here's what irks me: Why would Roland et. al be excluded from the travel team just because they don't go to nationals? Wouldn't their times from worlds be good enough to put them into consideration? I think they should get an automatic pass.Federation rules. If SA Swimming is anything like USA Swimming, the “travel teams” are chosen from nationals and Olympic Trials. To give elite swimmers a pass would be in violation of rules. We can debate the value of having nationals and Olympic Trials as the selection meet for Worlds, Olympics and other international meets, but as it stands today, at least in the USA, you must perform at the selection meet to make the team. If Phelps chooses not to go to the OT he doesn’t get a free pass to Beijing. Or if Thorpe false starts in the 400 he doesn’t…. never mind.
But here's what irks me: Why would Roland et. al be excluded from the travel team just because they don't go to nationals? Wouldn't their times from worlds be good enough to put them into consideration? I think they should get an automatic pass.Federation rules. If SA Swimming is anything like USA Swimming, the “travel teams” are chosen from nationals and Olympic Trials. To give elite swimmers a pass would be in violation of rules. We can debate the value of having nationals and Olympic Trials as the selection meet for Worlds, Olympics and other international meets, but as it stands today, at least in the USA, you must perform at the selection meet to make the team. If Phelps chooses not to go to the OT he doesn’t get a free pass to Beijing. Or if Thorpe false starts in the 400 he doesn’t…. never mind.
