The International Swimming League<\/strong> (ISL) has appeared to take a swipe at Swimming Australia<\/strong> while accusing “some national swimming federations’ leaders” of bullying and intimidation after several athletes withdrew from the second season.<\/p>\n

$\"kyle-chalmers-100-free-2018-australian-trials\"$
Kyle Chalmers – Photo Courtesy: Delly Carr\/Swimming Australia Ltd.<\/p><\/div>\n
However, Olympic champion and London Roar co-captain\u00a0Kyle Chalmers<\/strong> posted on social media six days ago that injury would prevent him from taking his place in the team which featured a large amount of Australians.<\/p>\n
It soon became clear that Roar teammates Cate<\/strong> and Bronte Campbell<\/strong> and Emma McKeon<\/strong> as well as Cali Condor swimmers Ariarne Titmus<\/strong> and Mitch Larkin<\/strong> were not prepared to risk travelling to Europe and pulled out of the ISL season.<\/p>\n
Swimming Australia\u2019s advice from the travel and health perspective had been to stay home \u2013 but at the end of the day the swimmers and the coaches had to weigh up all the information and risks and make their own decisions.<\/a><\/p>\n
However, the International Swimming League today issued a strongly-worded statement that appeared to point an accusatory, angry finger at the Australian federation without actually naming them.<\/p>\n
So too other countries’ governing bodies who they also claim are pressurising swimmers to not take part.<\/p>\n
It read:<\/p>\n
\n
\u201cThe current health crisis should not be used to entrench existing vested interests.<\/p>\n
“It is unacceptable that some national swimming federation\u2019s leaders, knowingly and cynically use the pandemic to intimidate athletes who wish to participate in other competitions.<\/p>\n
“Athletes must be protected not only in their physical integrity but also in their economic and social integrity. They need to compete or risk imperilling their livelihoods.<\/p>\n
“ISL stands for the right of all athletes to freely live their swimming life, believes it is time to put power back into their hands, to champion their right to make a living they deserve, and to have a greater say in the way their sport is run.<\/p>\n
“The recent bullying and pressure on some of the athletes who are already in a precarious position is a political manoeuvre and contrary to the very spirit of sport.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
#YesToCompetition #NoToBullying”<\/strong><\/p>\n
It continued:<\/p>\n
\n
“The International Swimming League has chosen to host its 2020 season in a single location with a condensed 5-week schedule from October 16, 2020.<\/p>\n
“ISL is committed to offering a safe environment to all athletes and staff. This is why, a strict medical protocol, developed with one of the best and renowned international scientific teams, will be in place, in and around the world-renowned Duna Arena in Budapest, Hungary, which will serve as the venue for this year\u2019s only major competition to feature the world\u2019s best swimmers.”<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
Rob Woodhouse, general manager of London Roar, was taken aback by the statement and told Swimming World:<\/p>\n
\u201cIt has come as a surprise to read it. I don\u2019t fully understand what it means.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Others staying at home are Minna Atherton, Holly Barratt, Alex Graham, Matt Wilson and Elijah Winnington<\/strong>\u00a0(all from the London Roar) and\u00a0Jack Cartwright, Meg Harris<\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0Clyde Lewis\u00a0<\/strong>from the Cali Condors and\u00a0Mollie O\u2019Callaghan<\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0Abbey Harkin<\/strong>\u00a0(NY Breakers) as well as coaches\u00a0Peter Bishop<\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0David Lush<\/strong>\u00a0(Roar) and Boxall (Condors).<\/p>\n
It leaves both the Roar and the Condors both decimated.<\/p>\n
\n
Advertising: Shop At Swim360
\n