Australia’s swimmers are more concerned about a level playing field than ruling the pool at the Olympics.
Due to travel bans, isolation requirements and other issues thousands of athletes still haven’t qualified for their events.
“We are still preparing for the Olympics and Paralympics to the best of our ability but we absolutely understand that for a lot of our peers and colleagues this isn’t the reality anymore, as it may not be for us soon,” Swimming Australia said in a release co-signed by head coach Jacco Verhaeren on Friday.
“We hope the IOC and (Paralympic organizers) are considering everything they can to ensure that there is a level playing field, with athletes being able to perform in healthy conditions.”
The key theme? It would be fairer to postpone the Olympics.
Swimming has been a regular source of medals at the Olympics and world championships for Australia, where the climate, location and relatively high number of Olympic-size pools is an advantage, but not an insurmountable one.
“At the heart of the Olympic and Paralympic competition is the notion of fair play — a value we hold very close, and we do not want that to be compromised,” the statement continued. “We know athlete preparation is being severely compromised. Friendship and solidarity are important Olympic and Paralympic values and we stand with you in this time of uncertainty.”