Not So Fast: Schoeman’s Ordeal with South Africa Swimming Still Unsettled

DURBAN, South Africa, May 16. ALTHOUGH reports out of South Africa indicated that differences had been settled between Swimming South Africa and Roland Schoeman, his nation's top swimmer, that is not the case. In an e-mail sent to Swimming World Magazine, Schoeman indicated that problems remain.

"Despite what has been conveyed in the media from South Africa's side, nothing has been resolved and the battle continues," Schoeman said. "I will be releasing a conclusive press statement within the next day or so."

Reports from South African stated that Schoeman is on the South African roster for the squad that will compete in July at the All-Africa Games in Algeria. Consequently, it was suggested that his differences with SSA had been sorted out.

Just after the World Championships, problems arose between SSA and Schoeman due to Schoeman's decision to not attend the South African National Championships. Since he had to pay for the bulk of his trip to Melbourne for the World Champs, Schoeman could not afford to return his homeland to compete in the National Championships. As a result, SSA declared that Schoeman would not be included on the National Team.

Swimming South Africa also decided to keep Darian Townsend and Lyndon Ferns off the National Team after they did not return for the South African Championships. Townsend and Ferns could not afford to miss more class time at the University of Arizona. Townsend and Ferns, like Schoeman, were listed – by South African media reports – as expected to be at the All-Africa Games.

After learning he was being sanctioned for missing Nationals, Schoeman, whose expenses were paid for by a businessman, returned to South Africa to defend himself.

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