The situation with regard to training local swimmers will remain the same for the foreseeable future, according to Guyana Amateur Swimming Association (GASA) President Dwayne Scott.
All local public pools have been closed to swimmers since March 2020, and with their inability to train in the water, local swimmers had become outdated, especially with other sports disciplines having the opportunity to train.
In updating this announcement on that situation, Scott highlighted that the COVID-19 National Task Force is adamant about its position and the safety of swimmers.
“The current situation with the local facility … remains unchanged, there have been no changes because, at Task Force level, they have asserted that they need to ensure the athletes are safe first,” Scott told While the Olympics are set for July 23 to August 8, the Caribbean Free Trade Association (CARIFTA) Swimming Championships is currently scheduled from August 13 to 15.
He continued, “And the only way they can be safe is to be at home, exercise and adhere to COVID protocols.”
However, the local duo competing for an Olympic qualification are the only swimmers allowed to use the local facilities.
“The Olympic athletes have access to the facility, so they continue to do their work with the coaches,” confirmed Scott.
Meanwhile, Leon Seaton is currently based in Florida, where he will train until his return in June for Caribbean Certificate of Secondary Education (CSEC) exams.
Apart from the group of Olympic hopefuls, Scott explained, there is much to worry about in terms of the training situation, as the Olympics are the only major international competition on the swimming calendar.
“We don’t have much to worry about, other than we don’t have enough competitions locally for our Olympic hopes, and that would come at the expense of Andrew and Jamila, who definitely need to have competition-level activity so they can improve their times and their standards, ”shared the head of GASA.
Back in March, parents and swimmers attached to the Dorado Swimming Club protested that public pools should currently be closed in front of the National Aquatic Center, Liliendaal. The group argued that swimming was a safe sport to return as well, given dimensions and gaps in pools and the likelihood of the virus being transmitted in chlorinated waters.
