Swimming: South Africans forced to pay own way

South African swimmers, including Olympic gold medallist Chad le Clos, will have to pay their own way to compete in the Fina World Championships in Barcelona later this year as their cash-strapped federation cannot fund their trip.

Swimming South Africa CEO Shaun Adriaanse confirmed the federation would be sending the swimmers to Spain but they would have to pay for their own flights and accommodation for the championship starting on 19 July.

The swimming federation lost their major sponsor last year as South African telecommunications company Telkom pulled the plug on their $1.25 million-per-year deal. Adriaanse said the organisation has canvassed extensively for a new backer, but that there have been no takers.

Bert le Clos, who manages his son Chad, called the situation “pathetic”. “It’s pathetic that you have to [buy] your own flight tickets,” he said. “It’s a disgrace when you consider the amount of medals and glory swimmers bring to this country.”

South Africa’s sports minister Fikile Mbalula said he was unaware of the plight of the federation, though it has emerged he tried to intervene when Telkom withdrew their sponsorship. South African swimmers won three medals at the Olympics last year – Le Clos took gold (200m) and silver (100m) in the butterfly, and Cameron van der Berg gold in the 100m breaststroke.