Top swimmers allege Fina neglect

Dubai: Top long-distance swimmers have come down heavily on Fina for the governing body's perceived inefficiency in protecting interests of participants at various events around the globe during a calendar season.

"One of the main concerns for us as competitors is security. But I am afraid Fina has not been addressing this aspect as much as we would have liked. Does it take a sacrifice like this one [death of American swimmer Francis Crippen on Saturday] to highlight an issue?" questioned Thomas Lurz of Germany.

Lurz, who picked up 40 points for his win last Saturday in the eighth and final round of the Fina 10km Marathon World Cup, insisted that security has always been an issue with the swimmers at any given venue.

Incidentally, Lurz was reluctant at first to accept the winner's trophy that was being given to him at an informal function on Sunday afternoon in Fujairah.

Winner's lament

"We deserve good conditions. But sad to say we don't get the treatment that we ought to get. Sometimes we have swum with jellyfish, we have stayed in ordinary hotels, there have been compromises with the food and diet...the list is endless. As top-level sportsmen, why do we need to take such risks?" he asked.

"Nothing will bring Fran [Crippen] back to us, but we still need to question and find out why this incident happened. Fina needs to be more professional and they need to bring in the changes so as to safeguard and treat the swimmers in the right way," the German said.

Belgium's Brian Ryckeman, who came in third in Fujairah was shattered at the loss of a close friend and competitor. He questioned several rules laid down by Fina for the conduct of long-distance swimming events.

"Fina sets a minimum water temperature of 16 degrees, but there is no maximum. Then there is the whole question of cramping in all long-distance races in such a short span of time," Ryckeman said.

As per competition rules the winner of each race stands to gain 20 points, while the second takes 18 points, the third gets 16 down to three points for ending tenth. All other race finishers get two points each.

However, in the final race of the season the points are doubled, thus giving an outside chance to a consistent performer to stake a claim to the overall crown. "And then Fina says it is mandatory for swimmers vying for season-ending overall standings to participate in the final race," Ryckeman said.