World's Worst Olympic Swimming Trial

Every Country has the right to be represented by a competitor. That is the Spirit of the Olympics! I think there was a movie about this ideal a long time ago....."Cool Runnings". Check it out, it's a good sport flick! :agree:

That video is more moving than the seimfinalists that don't make it :2cents:

"Moussambani was denied entry into the 2004 Olympic Games due to a visa bungle, despite the vast improvement in his swimming over the previous four years, with his personal best down to under 57 seconds. He did not take part in the 2008 Summer Olympics." At this point I'd be happy with a sub :57, nice improvement. :banana:

I'll never see a 57 LCM. He got the last laugh on me.

Yeah, I've seen that. But don't they have a "minimum standard" to even swim?

Yeah, I've seen that. But don't they have a "minimum standard" to even swim? Isn't this trial meant to be the "minimum standard"? :rolleyes:

I believe that is at the games itself. What I'm saying is I believe there is a "minimum standard" in order to get to swim prelims. For 100 Free its probably like 1:00 or something.

Actually found this on a quick Google search: Besides individual country's possible Olympic Trials qualifying standards, there are A and B level minimum Olympic Swimming Qualifying standards for swimmers to take part in the Olympic Games. To quote the FINA Olympic qualifying procedures: An NF/NOC (National Federation - a country) may enter a maximum of two (2) qualified athletes in each individual event if both entered athletes meet the A qualification standard for the respective event, or one (1) athlete per event if they have met the B qualification standard only. (FINA Rule BL 8.3.6.1) If a country's swimmers do not make a minimum Olympic qualifying time, they might be allowed a wild card entry: National Federations/NOCs may enter swimmers regardless of time standard as follows: having no swimmer qualified: one man and one woman having one swimmer qualified: one swimmer of the other sex provided that: the swimmer(s) participated in the 12th FINA World Championships – Melbourne 2007 FINA will decide which swimmers will be invited to take part at the Olympic Games based on their performance. (FINA Rule BL 8.3.6.2)

Lump, I found answer for you: "Moussambani gained entry to the Olympics without meeting the minimum qualification requirements via a wildcard draw designed to encourage developing countries without expensive training facilities to participate. While Pieter van den Hoogenband set a world record of 47.84 seconds to win the gold medal, Moussambani splashed his way to the finish to the cheers of the crowd in slightly more than twice that time. "The last 15 meters were very difficult," Moussambani said. Before coming to the Olympics, Moussambani had never seen a 50 m (160 ft) long Olympic-size swimming pool. He took up swimming only eight months before the Olympics and had practiced in a 20 m (66 ft) pool at a hotel in Malabo.citation needed]"

Lump, I found answer for you: "Moussambani gained entry to the Olympics without meeting the minimum qualification requirements via a wildcard draw designed to encourage developing countries without expensive training facilities to participate. While Pieter van den Hoogenband set a world record of 47.84 seconds to win the gold medal, Moussambani splashed his way to the finish to the cheers of the crowd in slightly more than twice that time. "The last 15 meters were very difficult," Moussambani said. Before coming to the Olympics, Moussambani had never seen a 50 m (160 ft) long Olympic-size swimming pool. He took up swimming only eight months before the Olympics and had practiced in a 20 m (66 ft) pool at a hotel in Malabo.citation needed]" Thats great! I wonder what country it was and if he is still swimming today?:applaud: