Roland Schoeman, the most decorated Olympian in South African history, cleared the air regarding the controversy that has rocked South African swimming after he and his teammates won the gold medal in the 4x100m freestyle relay at the Athens Olympics.
Schoeman, with Ryk Neethling and Lyndon Ferns — three of the four world-record-breaking swimmers in the relay — addressed a media conference with members of the South African Olympic team management at the Olympic village on Thursday. The swimmers looked emotional and a touch sombre.
Missing from the line-up was Darian Townsend who was reportedly due back in Athens, from the United States, on Thursday afternoon.
Schoeman stressed that most of what he had said after winning his three medals in the swimming — gold in the relay, silver in the 100m freestyle and bronze in the 50m freestyle sprint — was taken out of context.
”There has been a lot of miscommunication between South Africa and Athens, which has resulted in our spat with Swimming South Africa [SSA],” said the swimmers in a joint statement. But they still said they could do with more financial help at international level in the build-up to the next Olympics in Beijing.
”We have received valuable help from SSA and Nocsa [the National Olympic Committee] — but what we were trying to say was we need more consistent financial help for the full four years between Olympics for swimmers to be properly supported in their Olympic preparations.”
Swimmers ‘were not threatened’
Speaking for the swimmers in the Olympic team, Schoeman denied reports that they had been threatened by SSA.
”We had never been threatened with disciplinary action regarding the swimsuits we wore,” he said. ”I want to make it clear that, in the heat of the moment, I accidentally wore the wrong suit with the ‘Arena’ logo not properly blacked out. And for that I have apologised”, said Schoeman.
The swimmers were contracted to wear suits with Speedo logos.
The swimmers had also complained about the manner in which their American coach, Rick Demont, had been treated by Nocsa, specifically regarding his struggle to gain accreditation for competition and training venues.
Again, Schoeman cleared the air, saying: ”There was a problem in the beginning, but this was sorted out and in the end we had no problem there.”
Schoeman also denied rumours that he was retiring.
”I will not be retiring. I commit myself fully in the future to swimming for South Africa. All we want — and this is what we were trying to get across all the time — is to assist SSA in improving the level of the sport in the country,” he said.
”I have also been concerned with some characterisations of myself in the media. I have always been honest in everything that I have said to them,” added Schoeman.
SA swimmers need assistance
Neethling, the more senior of the swimmers, said it was always their intention to assist swimming in South Africa.
”South Africa has amazing potential in its swimming pools and there are many medals to be won in the future if the swimming structure works properly. It is has always been my intention to help to improve swimming with the help of SSA.”
Schoeman, Neethling and Ferns swim at the University of Tucson, Arizona, under the coaching of Demont.
Schoeman stressed: ”I want to state that I have no intention of retiring from swimming. It is my life. I intend participating in the sport for as long as I am able to do so.”
He confirmed his specific meaning about the need for financial support for swimmers at his level.
”I need to be confident that my finances are stable. Financial fitness is just as important as physical well-being.”
Neethling, in reaction to reports that SSA was upset with him for not competing in all the events into which he was entered, said: ”This has been sorted out. There were never any problems regarding the events in which I was supposed to compete.”
The swimmers produced a joint statement in which they said: ”We want to make it clear that we do not have any problems with SSA as things stand now. As part of the organisation, we have a big interest in its well-being, and have tried to further swimming in South Africa at every opportunity. There is room for improvement and our comments are meant to reflect that.”
New structure for athletes’ resources
The chef de mission of the South African Olympic team, Hajera Kajee, said she is happy that the controversy has been settled.
”We are asking for the people back home to bear with us while we build up a system of consistency leading up to the Beijing Olympics in 2008.”
She was referring to a marketing strategy that has already been put in place for the build-up to the next Olympics.
”There is a new structure being put in place and moves are already afoot for us to ensure that the proper resources are available for our athletes.
”This is part of our nation building and the structure will provide for a strong contribution to our Olympic athletes that will reflect favourably, as with the support that our rugby cricket and soccer sportsmen receive.”
A report by the steering committee of this structure will be released in the future. — Sapa
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