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UPDATE: Saint Kitts and Nevis’s Jennifer Harding-Marlin Has CAS Appeal Rejected
Saint Kitts and Nevis swimmer Jennifer Harding-Marlin has had her petition to the Count of Arbitration for Sport’s Ad Hoc Division at the Tokyo Olympics, seeking a Universality swimming spot, rejected.
The 29-year-old swimmer, who was born in Canada and holds dual citizenship with the Caribbean nation, was not selected for a Universality spot by the Saint Kitts and Nevis Olympic Committee (SKNOC). She petitioned to be selected for the women’s 100 backstroke.
Saint Kitts and Nevis has no swimmers slated for the Games. Nations that lack a swimmer qualifying on the basis of time standards are allowed to enter a maximum of one male and one female swimmer at the Games via the allocated Universality spots.
CAS and FINA heard the case on Monday, reports Inside the Games. They ruled that while the the SKNOC could’ve been “more cooperative” and “more forthcoming” in their communication with Harding-Marlin and with the St. Kitts and Nevis Swimming Federation (SKNSF), the level of discord did not rise to meet the level of discrimination according to Rule 44.4 of the Olympic Charter. (Part of Harding-Martin’s case centered on the SKNSF not being affiliated with the SKNOC).
Harding-Marlin was born in Quebec and swam at McGill University. She operates a law firm, JH Marlin, out of the islands. She labels herself a Saint Kitts citizen “by investment,” choosing to settle there after a sailing trip to Nevis at age 14. Harding-Marlin swam for the country at the 2019 World Championships in Gwangju, South Korea, an important eligibility step for Universality places.
The CAS’s Ad Hoc Division was set up temporarily to immediately resolve issues pertaining to the Games. It has office space near the Tokyo Olympic Organizing Committee to liaise with them on issues that arise, though in-person hearings will be limited for safety reasons.
