Streamlined News: Aussies Angry Over Money; Muslim Women Get Chance to Swim in San Diego


PHOENIX, Arizona, July 10. THE Australian Olympic swim team is in an uproar over the amount of money the Australian swimming federation is offering swimmers to be able to live comfortably and continue to train. According to stories coming out of Australia today, the federation offered a $20,000 lump sum payment to swimmers. That may sound like a lot of money to most, but the issue comes from the fact that it's nowhere near what the Americans are being paid, and that the athletes did not have the opportunity to agree to the new deal, according to 1996 Olympic medalist Daniel Kowalski, who is head of the athlete's union. The federation also offered about $35,000 for an Olympic gold medal, with relays splitting about $60,000. American national team member salaries are about three times what Australia is offering its athletes, and sponsorships are giving Americans nearly $100,000 for just one gold medal. Kowalski equated the deal to “less than the minimum wage,” and that it could force many out of the sport.

A YMCA in San Diego is offering a special class for Muslim women who want to swim but are restricted by their religion, which forbids them from swimming in the presence of men. According to a story done by TV station KPBS, the Copley YMCA closes its doors at 3 p.m., making all the male visitors and staff leave the building before the Muslim women come in. Using special swimsuits designed to cover their entire body except for their faces, the mothers and daughters play in the pool, and more importantly, learn to swim. Muslim women face a large risk of diabetes and high blood pressure, and clothing restrictions make it difficult for them to exercise at a gym or walk in a park on a warm day. The women-only sessions take place outside of the YMCA hours, and therefore is not excluding anyone from using the facility.

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