Six Polish swimmers just had their Olympic dreams thrown in the trash after a terrible mistake by their country.
The president of Poland’s swimming federation (PZP) has apologised after six athletes were sent home from the Tokyo Games due to an administrative error. Poland had sent 23 swimmers to Japan but the PZP was forced to cut the squad down to 17.
“I express great regret, sadness and bitterness about the situation related to the qualification of our swimmers for the Olympic Games in Tokyo,” Slominski said in a statement.
“Such a situation should not take place, and the reaction of the swimmers, their emotions, the attack on the Polish Swimming Federation is understandable to me and justified.”
He said the error was due to the “desire to allow as many players and coaches as possible to take part in the Games.”
The swimmers were identified as Alicja Tchorz, Bartosz Piszczorowicz, Aleksandra Polanska, Mateusz Chowaniec, Dominika Kossakowska and Jan Holub.
Tchorz, who competed at the 2012 and 2016 Games, expressed her anger on social media.
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“Imagine dedicating five years of your life and striving for another start at the most important sporting event … giving up your private life and work, sacrificing your family … your dedication results in a total flop,” she said on Facebook.
Chowaniec added on Instagram: “I’m deeply shocked by what happened… this is an absurd situation for me that should never have happened. In fact, I hope to wake up from this nightmare eventually.”
Several Polish swimmers have also signed an open letter demanding the entire PZP board resign over the incident.
“The actions of the Association led to an unprecedented event in the history of Polish sport,” the letter states, via Swim Swam.
“In addition, Polish swimming – both in the eyes of the public and potential sponsors – has been exposed as a laughing stock. and it will have a glaring effect on all competitors who compete in the white and red colors on a daily basis.
“We appeal to the president and the entire board to resign immediately.”
