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Ellina Mhlanga Senior Sports Reporter
ZIMBABWE will have only one representative at the 15th FINA World Swimming Championships that gets underway tomorrow in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, after the other members of the team failed to travel because of the travel bans.
UK-based Liam Davis is the only Zimbabwean swimmer who managed to travel for the championships running until December 21.
The other three swimmers, Donata Katai, Paige van der Westhuizen and United States-based Denilson Cyprianos, could not travel because of the travel bans.
Davis is already in Abu Dhabi and is going to compete in the 100m and 200m breaststroke events.
Zimbabwe swimming chairperson, Tracey Doorman, said it’s unfortunate they cannot field all their swimmers due to the prevailing circumstances.
“With the current travel ban, the only athlete who can attend is Liam Davis as he is based overseas. He is already in Abu Dhabi.
“He has spent (the) last week at a training camp in Dubai and moved to Abu Dhabi yesterday.
“It is very disheartening for swimmers to not be able to travel and compete in any competition that they have been aiming and preparing for. Sadly, this is completely out of their and our hands.
“Whilst a setback, it doesn’t have any future implications in terms of qualification for other events. We just hope and pray that competition isn’t affected in this way going forward,” said Doorman.
Katai and Paige van der Westhuizen were part of the swimming team that took part at the African Union Sports Council Region Five Youth Games that ended on Sunday in Lesotho.
The swimming team was the major contributor for Team Zimbabwe when picking 26 medals at the Games.
Doorman commended the team before pointing out that there is need to look at the level of competition taking into account the next edition of the Games, next year in Malawi.
“We obviously are pleased for the swimmers on their achievements but also need to look at the level of competition from other countries which was probably not where it normally is for this event. Not that I am trying to take away from our swimmers achievements but being realistic in terms of the next edition due to be held next year.”
She said while certain aspects are out of their control, they have done their best to send top swimmers for such competitions.
“I still stand by our current selection policy for our athletes and sending six boys and six girls gives us a chance to provide top quality athletes. Difficult to control what level of athlete other countries send,” said Doorman.
Kathy Lobb was expected to lead the team in Abu Dhabi but could not travel as well.
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