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...
Jeff,
In Ryk's case... he is competing at the Nationals, so his funding is safe.
But, Ryk also lives in Tucson. He moved here about four months ago. And he swam in my lane the Monday after worlds, which means he flew to South Africa from Tucson, the same as Roland et. al.
Is Ryk able to afford the trip more than Roland? Or is Swimming SA able/willing to pay for Ryk's trip because he spent two years in South Africa training after Athens?
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.
In 1991, those swimmers who went to worlds that January could use those times to qualify for the three international meets being selected that summer, or they could go to nationals and try for a faster time. I remember Eric Wunderlich got picked to go to Pan Pacs in the 100 *** because the time he swam at worlds was faster than the second place time from nationals (even though he swam it at nationals and went slower).
I don't think that criteria was used after that year, but it shows there are exceptions that governing bodies are willing to make for the sake of their athletes.
Jeff,
In Ryk's case... he is competing at the Nationals, so his funding is safe.
But, Ryk also lives in Tucson. He moved here about four months ago. And he swam in my lane the Monday after worlds, which means he flew to South Africa from Tucson, the same as Roland et. al.
Is Ryk able to afford the trip more than Roland? Or is Swimming SA able/willing to pay for Ryk's trip because he spent two years in South Africa training after Athens?
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.
In 1991, those swimmers who went to worlds that January could use those times to qualify for the three international meets being selected that summer, or they could go to nationals and try for a faster time. I remember Eric Wunderlich got picked to go to Pan Pacs in the 100 *** because the time he swam at worlds was faster than the second place time from nationals (even though he swam it at nationals and went slower).
I don't think that criteria was used after that year, but it shows there are exceptions that governing bodies are willing to make for the sake of their athletes.
