The top item in this news round-up has been updated with USA Swimming reaction.
USA: Two US swimming officials have lodged complaints with the US Olympic Committee that charge USA Swimming with having cut them out of potential work as officials in the sport because of their criticism of the federation in the debate about its response to sex abuse cases (some that led to convictions, others that remain allegations) by coaches in the States. The news was broken by Karen Crouse at the New York Times. Her report here.
That makes clear that one official was informed that he would not be put forward for work at FINA events two weeks after he had sent an e-mail proposes changes to the "culture" at USA Swimming when it came to issues of coach-swimmer relationships. USA Swimming says that Michael Saltzstein was denominated from the FINA list because he had only applied to work at one meet.
But on the timing of USA Swimming's decisions, the federation's timetable is clear: the FINA officials list was created in the first week of April. Saltzstein was then called by an official, as agreed by prior arrangement, to let him know that his name was not on the list, prior to the publication of the list, according to USA Swimming.
The Chair of the officials' committee that deals with the list nominate only 5 officials, 3 of them referees. USA Swimming has more that 11,000 officials and, reflecting that large number, turnover is relatively regular. "USA Swimming staff is not involved in this process," a federation spokesperson confirmed, adding: "The memo with the list went to the IRC on April 22. The first time anyone at USA Swimming saw Saltstein's letter was April 28."
The case of coach Ken Stopkotte is more complex: he says that says he was deemed ineligible to coach a youth team in the wake of being interviewed for ABC’s “20/20” feature on the sex-abuse scandal. Stopkotte was originally selected to the team, Crouse notes. The coach also faces an indefinite suspension from coaching: he stands accused of submitting incorrect results for swimmers in certain competitions, a charge he claims was made only "after he was listed as a witness for the plaintiff in a civil lawsuit filed against USA Swimming in Indianapolis", writes Crouse.
Brazil: The Brazilians are to add a touch of samba to Canada's newly re-named Nations Cup meet (formerly Tri-Nations Cup), joining France, Australia and Canada in a finals only, two-day clash at t Sannich Commonwealth Place in Victoria, British Colombia, on August 5-6. The competition format will feature a 50m Olympic event programme, with two swimmers per nation. "As a warm-up to the Nations Cup, the French, Australian and Brazilian delegations will participate at the 2010 Swimming Canada Summer Nationals in Victoria from July 28th to 31st," Swim Canada announced.
Italy: The municipal budget of Rome is yet to be agreed, which is making it difficult to reach a final settlement of the debts and accounts for the Rome 2009 world championships, according to Gazzetta dello Sport today. The remainder of a loss of more than 13 million euros is around 7.5m, which is to be covered jointly by city authorities and the Italian swimmng federation. Until the municipal of Rome agrees its budget, the precise amount of Roma09 responsibility it will bear remains to be seen.
New Zealand: Scott Talbot, son of Don Talbot and Jan Cameron, has been appointed coach at the High Performance Centre at the Millennium Institute in Auckland. Talbot Jnr, who raced for New Zealand at two Olympics, will work with NZ head coach Mark Regan in the build-up to London 2012.
Belgium: the team for the European Championships in Budapest has been announced after nationals ended last weekend - Men: Jasper Arents, Dieter Dekoninck, Yoris Grandjean, François Heersbrandt, Pholien Systermans, Glenn Surgeloose, Egon Van der Straeten, Axel Vandevelde. Women: Kimberly Buys, Annelies De Mare, Kim Janssens, Fanny Lecluyse, Elise Matthisen, Jolien Sysmans, Jasmijn Verhaegen.
