Swimmers, management end feud

2008-09-07 08:08

Johannesburg - Swimming SA management and its Olympic team members have agreed to work together in the interest of the sport, in a bid to provide the best planning and infrastructure for the country's four-year campaign leading up to the 2012 Olympics.

Following a 90 minute meeting in Germiston on Saturday, which was chaired by Swimming SA President Jace Naidoo, the Olympic swimmers voiced their concerns over several issues with regard to the team's preparations for the Beijing Olympics.

Those present agreed that an Athletes Commission, to be headed by a former national team swimmer, should be put in place which will, in future, voice the concerns of the swimmers to the Swimming SA management.

The swimmers requested Swimming SA to sort out monthly payment issues as part of their Olympic build up programme, with the federation agreeing to discuss this matter with the providers of the financial support.

Other requests put forward by the swimmers and which will be favourably considered by Swimming SA, include increasing the number of international swimming galas abroad in the period of 12 to 24 months prior to the Olympics, the use of more sports science testing-related programmes to monitor the training programmes of the swimmers, and the use of a sports psychologist to assist with the mental preparations of the athletes.

- SAPA