FINA Retracts Greek Swimmer Kristel Vourna’s Invitation To Compete In Rio

09-12-14 MWSD vs Delta State 400 Medley Relay Kristel Vourna Photo by Amelia J. Brackin
Photo Courtesy: Amelia J. Brackin/Alabama

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Editorial Coverage Sponsored By FINIS

An administrative error from swimming’s governing body FINA has cost former Alabama swimmer and Greek national swimmer, Kristel Vourna, a trip to the 2016 Rio Olympic Games. A talented butterflyer, holding the national record for Greece in both the wmen’s 50-meter and 100-meter butterfly, Vourna was invited to the Games after posting what is considered a “B” cut standard time.

Vourna competed for her home country Greece at the 2012 London Olympic Games in the 100-meter butterfly where she finished 12th overall. The 24-year-old received a formal invitation from FINA on July 6th to compete at her second Olympic Games just to have the invitation retracted eight days later with a statement that she was “actually not qualified and that it was a FINA mistake that had originally led to the invitation.”

After realizing their error FINA issued an apology and invited Vourna to attend the Olympic Games…as a tourist. The angered Olympian responded bitterly, stating, “Unfortunately people’s mistakes are always paid by other people.”

Dimitris Diathesopoulos, head of the Greek federation and a member of FINA’s bureau, sent waves of anger at FINA noting that “an athlete’s biggest dream is to take part in the Olympic Games. No one can retract such a thing. It is unforgivable and it can ruin the soul and the vision of an athlete.”

The full article from Ekathimerini.com can be found here.

 

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Kristie Wisniewski
Kristie Wisniewski
7 years ago

What’s one more swimmer. Let her go!!

Tammy Lee
7 years ago

So they let cheaters go to Rio but draw the line with this poor girl. This is so wrong.

Theodore Wesley Glocker

FINA destroying dreams along with their credibility

Rania
Rania
7 years ago

the resilience and percevierence that it takes to become an olympic swimmer, will help Kristel come out of this devastating time with more determination to break more recored and show the world what she is made of.
My heart and prayers go towards you Kristel , and my soul believes in your ability to win, maybe not 2016 but many more to come.

Eney Jones
7 years ago

Missing an o in the third line…in womens.

Fred Bowles
Fred Bowles
7 years ago
Reply to  Eney Jones

-5 (spelling)

Lesley Kuska
7 years ago

Why?

Corinne Paul
7 years ago

Unacceptable ! FINA has to undertake their mistake. In sport we call that fair-play !

Pia
Pia
7 years ago

Another example of FINA needing to be restructured. Corrupt.

Yiota Lazarou
Yiota Lazarou
7 years ago

Absolutely unacceptable!!! They should let her participate! Olympic Games is all athletes dream…. How can they destroy this dream!!!!

Alan Axford
Alan Axford
7 years ago

Would be different if it were for an age grouper etc… But she IS an Olympian!

John Grzeszczak
7 years ago

This is really rotten

Jose Vassallo
7 years ago

Big Book for FINA.

Gherghel Cristian
7 years ago

How stupid can this be? They made a mistake, they should have said nothing and go with it.

Sorry Kristel!

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