The Soak – Coronavirus Pandemic Causes 14th African Swimming Championships To Be Postponed

Chad Le Clos of South Africa - Photo Courtesy: Becca Wyant

The Soak – Swim News In Brief

Collated weekly

Swimming World soaks up snippets from the realm of water sports around the world in a one-stop digest updated each day of every passing week.

If you have a snippet of news for us, let us know: editorial@swimmingworld.com

The Week of March 10-16, 2020

Saturday March 14

14^th African Swimming Championships Off – No New Date As Yet

South African Swimming has announced the postponement of the 14^th African Swimming Championships due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. No new date has been set for the event as yet. In a statement, the federation noted:

Due to the rapid spread of the worldwide COVID-19 outbreak, Swimming South Africa has made the decision to postpone the upcoming 14^th African Swimming Championships.

The event was due to be hosted at Durban’s Kings Park Aquatics Centre from 17^th to 22^nd April 2020 and will now be postponed until further notice.

“Our main priority as the African Swimming Confederation is the safety of our athletes and with that in mind, the decision was made to postpone the event” said the President of African Swimming, Sam Ramsamy.

“We want to express our deepest gratitude to everyone who dedicated their time and energy to bring this event to South Africa and we also want to apologies for any inconvenience this announcement might have caused” concluded Ramsamy.

The new dates for the Championships will be announced in due course.

That news comes at the tail end of the wipeout of much of the elite swimming and aquatics sport calendar worldwide:

Extraordinary Events In Swimming History:

Australia, Canada, China, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Italy, France, Ireland, Spain, the Netherlands, Brazil and Japan have all had major meets affected by the coronavirus pandemic, while in the United States, the NCAA Championships have been cancelled and USA Swimming has imposed a 30-day suspension on all events, while Canada is considering what to do about its Olympic trials early next month. In Italy, where swimmers are struggling to maintain normal routines, can’t get to practice and in some cases find pool time, a #stopolympics campaign was launched by the Nuoto website calling on solidarity among swimming nations to recognise that Olympic preparations have been blown off course and that it would be in the interests of fairness to postpone the Games for a time of calm beyond the coronavirus crisis.

Our coverage:

Guidance on Water and Coronavirus

Friday, March 13

Brazilian Olympic Trials Set To Go Ahead Behind Closed Doors

Nov 21, 2012; Cleveland, OH, USA; A fan holds up the national flag of Brazil during a game between the Philadelphia 76ers and the Cleveland Cavaliers at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

Photo Courtesy: David Richard-US PRESSWIRE

The Brazilian Olympic trials will go ahead next month without spectators at the Maria Lenk Water Park in Rio de Janeiro as the effects of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic become ever more far-reaching.

The Brazilian Confederation of Aquatic Sports (CBDA) revealed that they, along with the Olympic Committee of Brazil, had taken the decision to hold the competition, which will run from 20-25 April, behind closed doors.

A statement from the CBDA read:

“The Brazilian Olympic Committee, to which the CBDA is affiliated, recommended, following medical guidelines, that all events at the Maria Lenk Water Park, managed by the COB, should not have a public presence to prevent the proliferation of the virus.

“Valuing the health and well-being of athletes, coaches, staff and the public, all involved in the competition that will define the Brazilian team for the Tokyo Olympic Games, the entities decided that, for now, the selective will have closed gates. The decision can be changed, according to the recommendations of the health agencies.

“The official CBDA calendar, as reported on Thursday afternoon (12), will be maintained. The Confederation, however, is attentive to the recommendations of the Federal Government and the Brazilian Olympic Committee and may change its decisions, including postponing the holding of the Brazilian Olympic Trials.”

Swim Ireland Announces Postponement of Olympic And Paralympic Trials

Swim Ireland has announced that the Irish Open Swimming Championships, which double as the Olympic and Paralympic trials, have been postponed in the wake of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

The competition was due to take place at the National Aquatic Centre, Dublin, from 1-5 April but the Irish governing body has announced it is now scheduled for the end of June.

Tokyo 2020 is due to take place from 24 July to August 9 with the Paralympics scheduled for 25 August to 6 September.

However, the Olympic Games are increasingly under threat with swathes of events across all sports worldwide being postponed or cancelled.

Swim Ireland released a statement, which read:

“Taking into consideration all information with regards to Covid-19, recommendations and discussions with various stakeholders over the past few days we have taken the difficult decision to postpone the Irish Open Swimming Championships – Olympic and Paralympic Trials scheduled for April 1st – 5th at the National Aquatic Centre, Dublin.

“We have been looking at a number of options and the current plan is to reschedule this event to the end of June (taking into consideration dates of Irish National Division 2’s and Irish Summer Nationals, training camps etc…). We are working with all stakeholders to find the best solution and will update everyone accordingly.

“We understand this news will be disappointing, however, the health and welfare of our membership is at the forefront and we believe this is the right decision to make. We are fully committed to helping our athletes secure qualification for Olympic and Paralympic Games and European Junior Championships.”

National performance director Jon Rudd posted on social media, saying:

A necessary call. But we’ll be back and so will our athletes ☘️ https://t.co/dlAuqJwntm

— Jon Rudd (@coachjonrudd) March 13, 2020

Big Ten Announces Team Activities Suspended Until April 6

Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick

The Big Ten Conference announced today that all organized team activities have been suspended until April 6, 2020, and will be re-evaluated at that time.

The Big Ten has previously announced that in addition to canceling the Men’s Basketball Tournament it will be canceling all conference and non-conference competitions through the end of the academic year, including spring sports that compete beyond the academic year, and participation in all NCAA tournaments and competitions. The Conference also has announced a moratorium on all on- and off-campus recruiting activities for the foreseeable future.

The Big Ten Conference will use this time to work with the appropriate medical experts and institutional leadership to determine next steps for moving forward in regard to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dolphins Head Coach Jacco Verhaeren says Swimming Australia is discussing future of its meets today

Kyle Chlamers AUS, 100m Freestyle Final, 18th FINA World Swimming Championships 2019, 25 July 2019, Gwangju South Korea. Pic by Delly Carr/Swimming Australia. Pic credit requested and mandatory for free editorial usage. THANK YOU.

Kyle Chalmers: Photo Courtesy: Delly Carr

Australian Head Coach Jacco Verhaeren has revealed that decisions on the future of up-coming Swimming Australia swim meets would be known later today.

Verhaeren spoke this morning during at the opening session of the three-day NSW Championships at the Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre – referring to the Australian Age Championships (April 7-14) and Australian Swimming Championships (April 17-21) and maybe even the Sydney Open Meet (May 15-17).

“The (Coronavirus) is receiving our utmost attention…and as we speak (12 Noon local time) we are looking very closely at our own (future) meets,” said Verhaeren.

“A decision will follow very soon.. let’s say what we see in Europe and what we see in the US as well with cancellations of meets I think it is fair to say it is a risk for us at this point in time.

“But we haven’t cancelled yet; the reason for that is we are not in the same position as for example Europe where (Coronavirus) is obviously way worse.

“But things change by the hour so in two or three hours we could have entirely different news.

“It is a serious precaution…we will see today or tomorrow what we need to do with the other meets as well…it is difficult to say where that is going to land….but I can say every sporting event and swimming events are at risk at the moment.

“Regarding the current NSW Championships we were in contact with the NSW officials seeing what kind of measures and precautions are in place that’s what we are not shaking hands (with elbows).

“But this meet will go ahead as planned.”

Meanwhile Olympic champion Kyle Chalmers certainly didn’t waste any time laying down two slick times in today’s heats – a personal best in the 200m butterfly of 1:58.85 before a sizzling 48.27 – less than an hour later – to head the qualifiers into the men’s 100, freestyle final.

St Peters Western withdraws from NSW State Championships

Friday, March 13

Swimming NSW has announced the withdrawal of St Peters Western Swim Club from the three-day NSW Championships that began at the Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre this morning.

St Peters Western Head Coach Dean Boxall said: “The majority of our squad is unwell so following the directive of Swimming Australia not to travel, we decided it was in everyone’s best interest and to minimise any risk, to withdraw our squad from the NSW State Championships.

“I stress this is not Coronavirus it is purely precautionary.”

Swimmers in the squad include Ariarne Titmus, Mitch Larkin, Clyde Lewis, Jacob Hansford and Jack Cartwright.

The meet is continuing with the first finals session set down for 6pm local time tonight and set to conclude on Sunday, with over 20 Olympians entered in the meet.

Thursday, March 12

Rodchenkov Act Moves Closer To Being The Law … WADA Issues A Caution

A bill that calls for prison time for those who participate in international doping schemes moved one step closer to becoming law when it passed a United States Senate committee on a voice vote. Named after Gregory Rodchenkov, the Moscow Rusada lab director who blew the whistle on Russia’s cheating at the 2014 Sochi Olympics, the Rodchenkov Act will next be considered by the full Senate.

That the bill passed the Senate voice suggests that U.S. lawmakers are not heeding the warnings coming from international sports leaders about the consequences of such a law.

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) issued a statement in response in which it noted that while it was supportive in general:

“… some other very important elements of the bill will, if approved with no changes, have unintended consequences that have the potential to disrupt the globally recognized legal anti-doping framework and to undermine WADA’s capacity to fulfill its mission as the global anti-doping regulator. WADA and many other organizations around the world, including the Council of Europe and the International Olympic Committee, have a concern around the issue of extra-territoriality in the bill.”

The Statement in Full:

WADA notes the decision by the United States Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation to approve the Rodchenkov Anti-Doping Act of 2019 for referral to and consideration by the US Senate.

WADA will continue to work with US authorities to provide information as needed and to explain some important reservations that a number of other Governments, sports organizations and Anti-Doping Organizations (ADOs) share about the bill as it is currently drafted. To that end, WADA has repeatedly reached out to the Chair of the Committee to arrange such a meeting but, to date, no response has been received from his office.

WADA supports Governments using their legislative powers to protect clean athletes in the fight against doping and the Rodchenkov Act is no exception. Specifically, WADA considers positive the proposed measures outlined in the bill to assist anti-doping by facilitating the sharing of information between US law enforcement entities and the United States Anti-Doping Agency and by providing protection to whistleblowers.

However, some other very important elements of the bill will, if approved with no changes, have unintended consequences that have the potential to disrupt the globally recognized legal anti-doping framework and to undermine WADA’s capacity to fulfill its mission as the global anti-doping regulator. WADA and many other organizations around the world, including the Council of Europe and the International Olympic Committee, have a concern around the issue of extra-territoriality in the bill.

Witold Bańka – Photo Courtesy: WADA

WADA President Witold Bańka said:

“WADA calls on the US Senate to consider widely held and legitimate concerns about the Rodchenkov Act. The bill in its current form could lead to overlapping laws in different jurisdictions that would compromise having a single set of rules for all athletes, all sports and all anti-doping organizations that are subject to the World Anti-Doping Code. This harmonization of rules is at the very core of the global anti-doping program.

“A second unintended consequence is rather than assisting WADA and law enforcement engage whistleblowers as the legislation intends, the bill will actually impede the capacity to use whistleblowers by exposing them to multiple jurisdictions and preventing ‘substantial assistance’ deals. This will thus greatly compromise WADA’s and other ADOs’ investigation capacity.

“A third unintended consequence could be the emergence of other extra-territorial jurisdictions worldwide and their misuse for purposes other than anti-doping, for example to discriminate against athletes of specific nationalities. This would likely lead to retaliation by stakeholders concerned and set off a chain reaction, which would be detrimental to anti-doping and athletes from all countries, including the US.”

WADA wishes also to understand, if, as claimed by its promoters, the stated aim of the legislation is to protect athletes, why it excludes vast areas of US sport, in particular the professional leagues and all college sport.

Danish Open Is Cancelled Due To Coronavirus Containment

The Danish Open, which doubles as Denmark’s Olympic Swimming Trials, has been cancelled. The move is in response to the lockdown underway across the country, including the closure of all swimming pools and swim club activities, due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The Open was the primary selection meet for Danes, while the Swim Open in Stockholm, Sweden, was to have been the secondary qualification meet on April 3-6, but that, too, was called off today.

In addition, Norway has just announced a comprehensive lockdown of the country, as a crisis response to coronavirus. Kindergartens, schools, gyms, bars, restaurants – and sports training centres – will be closed as of this evening. Major cultural and sporting events are banned with immediate effect. More on that story.

Top Australians Still Planning To Contest Pro Series Swim Meet In Mission Viejo, Despite The Coronavirus Pandemic

Emma McKeon – Photo Courtesy: Delly Carr / Swimming Australia

Australia’s most experienced Olympic swim coach Michael Bohl is still planning to bring his star-studded squad to the US in April for the 2020 Pro Series Swim Meet in Mission Viejo, despite the Coronavirus pandemic.

At the Moment Bohl (Head Coach at Griffith University on the Queensland Gold Coast), is preparing his squad – which includes six Rio Olympians, his daughter Georgia Bohl, Emma McKeon, her brother David McKeon, Taylor McKeown, Emily Seebohm and Thomas Fraser-Holmes for this week’s three-day NSW State Open, starting in Sydney on Friday.

The squad’s next meet leading into the June 14 Australian Olympic Trials in Adelaide will be in Mission Viejo.

“Our advice from Swimming Australia is that it is low risk travelling to California at the moment but we will re-visit it in two weeks and have a look at what the situation is like over there then,” Bohl told Big Sports Breakfast radio, after he was asked the status by one of his athletes this week.

“If it is still low risk I don’t think it will be a major problem but if the risk is high then we will look at not going to the US in the immediate term.

“But I guess the long term all we can really do is listen to what the experts are telling us and the expert medical staff aligned with Swimming Australia are meeting on a weekly basis and keeping us all up to date.

“If we have any concerns it’s a matter of calling up Swimming Australia and checking the status.

“Our Chief medical officer Dr Peter Fricker has been on Australian teams for the last 20 or 30 years and he was the chief medical officer at the AIS for over 20 years.

“He is a very experienced guy who is communicating and liaising with swimming….so that’s who we are putting our faith in him.”

The NSW Championships has attracted a host of the country’s biggest names including both Bronte Campbell and sister Cate Campbell, Kyle Chalmers, Maddie Groves and home town hero Matthew Wilson.

Wednesday, March 11

Sadness and Shock Mix In Italy as Water Polo Goes Quiet Due to Coronavirus

With its government imposing the most oppressive travel restrictions since the Second World War, the Italian men’s and women’s water polo leagues have suspended play until at least mid-April, a result of the novel coronavirus outbreak that has infected more than 12,000 people and killed 827.

Maurizio Felugo. Courtesy: Pro Recco

In an announcement earlier today, Ligue Europeenne de Natation (LEN)— the governing body for European aquatic sports—announced today the postponement of a number of water polo events across the continent.

[European Water Polo Events Postponed For A Month In Response To Coronavirus Spread]

This continues a massive postponement of athletic events throughout Italy. Noteworthy are changes for men’s and women’s water polo teams from the famed Italian Series A1, some of whom also compete in LEN’s Champions League, acknowledged to be the world’s leading professional polo competition.

Given a situation that is both deadly serious and evolving continuously hour by hour, it was not surprising that Pro Recco, arguably the most prominent professional polo club in Europe, has issued a statement regarding the impact of Covid-19 and its ripple effect on athletic competition in Italy.

[Coronavirus in Italy; A Perspective from Francesco Grillone of Water Polo Italy]

“The postponement communicated by LEN finds me completely in agreement,” said Maurizio Felugo, Pro Recco president. “Water polo can wait; at this moment we must protect people’s health: nothing is more important than this.

“There are deceased, hospitalized, infected and fortunately many citizens, thanks to the splendid job of doctors and nurses, recovered: these are the only numbers that interest us and that deserve every effort and attention, as far as everyone has their own competence. Let’s stop now to start stronger tomorrow.”

There’s no question that this sentiment is as appropriate for Italy as anywhere else in the world that has been stricken by the coronavirus.

Wednesday, March 1

Global Athlete Survey Questions WADA ‘Transparency’, Calls To Criminalise Doping

Global Athlete, an organisation that aims to give a voice to athletes of all sports, has released the findings of a survey into national and international anti-doping programmes.

The survey found that athletes believe the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) is not transparent and that national anti-doping organisations are more independent than the global body.

There is also a call to criminalise doping and the imposition financial penalties and for the influence of governing bodies and federations to be eliminated.

Several athletes questioned what was described as WADA’s “weak stance with the Russian institutionalised doping scandal” and a lack of athlete engagement, demanding a greater voice.

The survey was launched in September 2019 and involved feedback from 491 athletes from 48 countries from each continent and involved participants in 40 summer and 16 winter sports.

Athletes believe that National Anti-Doping Organisations are more independent than the World Anti-Doping Agency.
The majority of athletes feel that the World Anti-Doping Agency does not work transparently.
The majority of athletes feel that their National Anti-Doping Organisation works transparently.
The majority of athletes feel that the World Anti-Doping Agency requires further governance reforms with athletes, and National Anti-Doping Organisations having an equal seat at the decision-making tables.
Athletes strongly believe the WADA Charter of Athlete Rights should be fully embedded into the World Anti-Doping Code.
Athletes have more trust in anti-doping programmes nationally than internationally.
The majority of athletes have trust in the efficiency of their National Anti-Doping Agency.
There is a need for more athlete representation within National Anti-Doping Organisations.

International federations, such as FINA in swimming, also come under scrutiny. The following points are included in the report:

Get out the governing body and federation influence
Add in criminal charges and financial culpability
Create rules with athlete oversight, but not federation oversight

Read the report in full

Tuesday, March 10

Rebecca Adlington: ‘athletes getting their heads down and getting the work done’

Rebecca Adlington, the 2008 double Olympic distance freestyle champion from Britain, says the best athletes in the world are “getting on with the work … heads down” on the way to Tokyo 2020 and understand that the health of “everyone” heading to the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games is “more important” than having the Games go as precisely as and when scheduled, from July 24, if the direction of the global coronavirus emergency demands a change of plan.

The British Olympic trials are due to take place from 14-19 April at the Aquatics Centre in London.

Adlington told The Express in Britain:

“[It’s] the health of not just the athletes, but everyone in the Olympics, the spectators, the volunteers, their health is more important, the athletes understand that their health is more important. It’s a case of wait until nearer the time, wait to see what the world health organisation say and plan it.

“The athletes are continuing their day-to-day [training], I know they are, I’ve seen the athletes. They’re getting their heads down and getting the work done and it’s out of their control really.”

Adlington was speaking on a day when FINA announced a Task Force of experts to consider the impact on the virus in aquatics sports with a view to cancelling all Olympic test events scheduled in the coming three months leading up to Tokyo 2020. On whether she believes the Olympics could be cancelled, she added: “It’s one of those where we will wait and see what happens nearer the time, it’s a bit unknown at the minute.”

Whatever comes, she believes that athletes will remain positive and carry on working hard. An expert commentator for the BBC, she said:

“I’ll be going out there, the flight is booked so far, I’m really looking forward to it, it’s a big year for the athletes. My heart goes out to anyone affected by the coronavirus, it’s one of those things you see more and more in the press. It’s a shame for the athletes who have worked so far. At the end of the day you can’t help getting ill or injured.”

Swim England ‘planning for events as normal’

Photo Courtesy: Swim England

Swim England, the governing body concerned with participation and club swimming, is continuing to plan for events as normal in the light of the coronavirus.

It has also addressed concerns about whether it is still safe to go swimming with The Pool Water Treatment and Advisory Group advising that water and chlorine kill the virus.

Swim England released a statement saying:

“The health and wellbeing of anyone who takes part in any aquatic activity is of paramount importance to everyone at Swim England.

“Swim England is currently following the latest guidance from the Government and Public Health England and is advising its members, clubs, learn to swim providers and volunteers to do the same.

“At this time, Swim England is continuing to plan for events as normal.

“However, the national governing body will be following the latest information and assessing risk as appropriate.

“Specific guidance regarding forthcoming Swim England events will be issued as necessary to those who are due to attend.

“Due to the ongoing spread of novel coronavirus, there have been a number of calls to Swim England about whether it is safe to still go swimming.

“The Pool Water Treatment and Advisory Group (PWTAG) has been in contact with Public Health England regarding novel coronavirus.”

A spokesperson for PWTAG said: “Public health opinion is that it is generally safe to go swimming at this time.

“Water and the chlorine within swimming pools will help to kill the virus.

“However, visitors to swimming pools are reminded to shower before using the pool, to shower on leaving the pool and to follow the necessary hygiene precautions when visiting public places to help reduce the risk of infection.

“These include washing your hands for at least 20 seconds, cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when you cough or sneeze and do not touch your eyes, nose or mouth if your hands are not clean.

“Most importantly, if you feel unwell, please avoid using the pool.

“This announcement is not intended to panic anyone and Swim England is sharing the above information to ensure all possible precautions are taken.”

Parry’s Pool Opening

Steve Parry, Olympic bronze medallist over 200m butterfly when Michael Phelps claimed his first gold in that event at Athens 2004, is opening a new state-of-the-art, purpose-built swimming centre in Oldham. The facility will be the first “swim!” centre in Greater Manchester and follows the success of one in Warrington, which opened in 2017. Parry, Adlington’s former Britain teammate and now fellow BBC commentator, decided to extend the project after reading woeful statistics confirming that more than half of UK children are unable to swim by the time they reach secondary school.

Parry will officially launch the new centre, in Manchester Street, on March 31. He told the Manchester Evening News:

“Swimming is the only sport that can help save a child’s life, and yet more than half of kids are reaching secondary school without the skills they need. This is something I have been passionate about for a long time, and I am proud to be working towards making swimming accessible to everyone.”

He added: “Our first swim! centre in Warrington has been highly successful in teaching more than 3,000 children to swim in just over two years, and now we’re ready to branch out and pass on our teaching to children in Oldham. Our facilities are specially designed for little learners, who will work towards unique swim! awards to celebrate each child’s achievements. We are looking forward to meeting future swimmers in the local community.”

India Locks Down Top Olympic Training Facility

The Sports Authority of India (SAI), South Centre in Bangalore locked down its facility as a precaution after the city recorded four coronavirus (COVID-19) cases in the past two days. Swimmers, football players, track and field athletes and hockey players training for the Olympic Games are based there. The hockey teams, men and women, are qualified and world-class their presence at the facility cited as among prime reasons to lock the facility down, while SAI noted that health and well-being was the priority for all. SAI senior director Captain Ajay Kumar Bahl (Indian Navy) told The Times of India:

“We were compelled to do it. The cream of Indian sport is training in our facility. From the senior hockey teams, race walkers to para athletes who have made the Tokyo grade. We have national campers in athletics (middle and long distance), volleyball, weightlifting besides the junior men and women’s hockey teams, numbering around180. We cannot afford to take things easy. We have around 100 people who come to SAI mainly for football, athletics and swimming. They were told this morning that their entry has been temporarily banned.”

Why It’s No Fun To Be At The YMCA During Corona Crisis

The YMCA Short Course National Championships have been cancelled for the first time since 1947. Scheduled for March 30-April 3 at the Greensboro Aquatic Center, the meet is the latest in a long list of swim events to be hot by the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) and containment measures around the globe. The YMCA meet staff were informed by email that all meets hosted under the brand were cancelled until the end of next month. Chief human resources officer Kate Wollensak wrote:

“Out of an abundance of caution, the Executive leadership has decided to implement policies to reduce the risk to our staff and their families. Regardless of the concern level, it is our social responsibility to help protect vulnerable populations and keep communities strong.”

Monday, March 9

Brash? Cocky? Swimmer Lilly King is outspoken and hopes other women will join her

Foto Fabio Ferrari/LaPresse 21 Dicembre 2019 Las Vegas - USA sport nuoto 2019 ISL - International Swimming League. Nella foto: Cali Condor Photo Fabio Ferrari/LaPresse December 21, 2019 Las Vegas - USA sport swimming 2019 ISL - International Swimming League. In the picture: Cali Condor

Lilly King and fellow queens of the Condors celebrate medley relay victory in Las Vegas – Photo Courtesy: Fabio Ferrari/LaPresse

Lilly King, 23, contemplated the theme in the headline above and told Nathan Fenno and Christina House at The Los Angeles Times:

“I joke that I act like a guy, speaking my mind on something, calling out something I don’t like, being intimidating on the [starting] blocks. It’s been a challenge acting like I normally do but being criticized for that. You’re seen as being cocky or arrogant, while a guy doing that is seen as being a leader.”

King’s finger-wag at and words for Russian Yulia Efimova at Rio 2016 made headlines around the world. Now, in an article running underneath the headline we borrowed above, King, Olympic and World Champion and record holder over 100m breaststroke, recalls those events and says:

“They want us to be nice and be humble, and in reality the great athletes aren’t always like that all the time. We’re fierce and competitive and we’re angry when we do poorly. To hide that is a disservice to women in sports.”

The report notes that King’s parents, Mark and Ginny, encouraged their daughter to speak her mind. King says she was about 10 years old when she realized men were treated differently from women when they spoke up. A decade and more on she’s a rarity in a sport where many prefer not to make a fuss even when the fuss is making fools of them. Says King:

“I knew I was taking a difficult path by being myself. Swimmers are typically more on the quiet side. They don’t feel the need to upset anyone.”

She breaks into “an imitation of a stereotypical post-race interview at the Olympics”, as the writers put it and says: “I don’t know what to say. I’m so excited. I’m here because of my team.”

Read the article in full

In the News of Late, Swimming World Leading The Wave:

SUN YANG

CORONAVIRUS

Rebecca Adlington of Great Britain competes in the women's 800m Freestyle Heats during the Swimming competition held at the Aquatics Center during the London 2012 Olympic Games in London, Great Britain, Thursday, Aug. 2, 2012. (Photo by Patrick B. Kraemer / MAGICPBK)

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