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...
It is interesting to note in the article that Schoeman paid R51,000 to travel from Tucson (as I can surmise to Melbourne). That is about $7,100 USD. The coach plane fare from San Francisco to Melbourne is about $1,500 USD (and I have the receipts to verify that).
The cost to travel from the west coast to RSA is about $3,000 USD in coach. (I have no idea how much it is in business class).
It looks like Schoeman likes to travel in Business class (well, so do I) and I can well appreciate it as it is almost 24 hours to travel from the west coast to Melbourne and to travel from the west coast to RSA.
If the rules are that you have to compete to be part of the national team, the it looks that Shoeman has to make a decision and if he cannot fly in coach, then there is no sympathy here.
michael
It is interesting to note in the article that Schoeman paid R51,000 to travel from Tucson (as I can surmise to Melbourne). That is about $7,100 USD. The coach plane fare from San Francisco to Melbourne is about $1,500 USD (and I have the receipts to verify that).
The cost to travel from the west coast to RSA is about $3,000 USD in coach. (I have no idea how much it is in business class).
It looks like Schoeman likes to travel in Business class (well, so do I) and I can well appreciate it as it is almost 24 hours to travel from the west coast to Melbourne and to travel from the west coast to RSA.
If the rules are that you have to compete to be part of the national team, the it looks that Shoeman has to make a decision and if he cannot fly in coach, then there is no sympathy here.
michael
