by Maria Dobysheva
Vladimir Salnikov, RUS Swimming President, explained a recent qualification criteria change for those swimmers who weren’t able to participate in Trials.
Normally, first and second place at Nationals whose results were also under Olympic A Cuts set by RUS Swimming make the team.
But now, a swimmer who has posted a faster result than first or second placed at Nationals but wasn’t able to swim at Nationals “due to reasons beyond their control” can also be considered for Olympic team.
Actually there’s only one swimmer like this and it’s a medal contender for Rio, multiple World champion Yuliya Efimova who currently serves temporary suspension for taking meldonium.
“A situation like this is not something that happens every day. WADA announced its statement and if an athlete will be amnested, then he or she would have a right to perform at Olympics” – Salnikov
After the WADA announcement, Efimova applied to FINA to lift her temporary suspension. FINA declined her application and ruled she stays under suspension until legal hearings on her case take place.
Head coach of Russian Swimming Team Sergey Kolmogorov:
“In Efimova’s case, if she is going to be amnested not later than July 3rd [the last day to apply for Olympics], the Federation can consider her for the team based on results she posted at Arena Pro Swim in Orlando. If FINA cancels those results but Efimova is still amnested, we will consider her based on her swims from Kazan. This exception would only work if first and/or second placed swimmers from Nationals will be off Olympic cuts. I mean, Nationals is still a priority. If two girls qualify for Rio at Nationals, Efimova won’t make the team”.
Russia holds its Olympic Trials April 16-April 23 in Moscow, Olympiysky.
“Declined her apply”?
What a relief…..
Russian’s always have a back door strategy. How often can you cheat and still not judged for it? Shame on WADA and Fina! Rules are there to follow, not to break. Let’s make swimming clean again! ?
Difficult one really
Don’t understand the grounds for amnesty or whatever but as apparently they exist it doesn’t seem just to prevent someone from competing in olympic trials
No credit for finding the typo?
How many ways can this girl cheat?
I’m not a fan.