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Delhi Pool: 'Tad Chilly & Too Far From Base'

Sep 29, 2010  - Craig Lord

Five days before the start of racing the Commonwealth Games in Delhi, coaches and swimmers are pressing organisers to turn the heat up a touch at the main competition pool: at 24C, the water is colder that the  acceptable range allowed under international race rules.

FINA regulations state that water temperatures must be between 25C and 28C.   Rule FR2.11 also states that within that range there should be no swings in temperature throughout the duration of an event: "During competition the water must be kept at a constant level, with no appreciable movement." There are six days of racing in Delhi, starting next Monday.

One coach to big medal prospects in Delhi told SwimNews: "The complex [in Delhi] is good but [there's] a huge problem ... the water temperature is 24C, not acceptable for an international meet." Organisers have time to get the temperature up a touch.

Beyond that, coaches have expressed concern that it can take between 40 minutes to an hour to get from accommodation to the pool. At the extreme end of that equation, swimmers are looking at four hours of travel every day of the competition, travelling to and from racing for morning heats and evening finals.