The Tribune

WHILE the results didn’t have any effect on their overall team victory, members of the Swift Swimming Club are quite disappointed that they were denied the opportunity to hold onto their victory in the boys 13-14 400m medley relay, which would have been a new Bahamian national record.

The team was competing at the Bahamas Swimming Federation’s Royal Bank of Canada National Swim Championships at the Betty Kelly Kenning Swim Complex over the weekend.

“While it didn’t affect the outcome of the overall standings - Swift still won - we are very unhappy with the disqualification,” said Milena Russell, mother of Tyler Russell, one of the team members who competed for Swift.

“They are saying that the judge refused to review the tape and to be denied national record without proper review is not right. The issue surrounded one swimmer going too early, which they say clearly wasn’t the case and was an official error.

However, when contacted, BSF first vice president John Bradley said there is nothing that they can do. “They have the proof because when you look at it, you can see it,” said Bradley, who also serves as the chief statistician for the federation events.

“The referee made the decision that it was an early take off and he stuck to it. He would not look at the video because it’s not allowed. So they are upset and I can understand that. They have the proof that the swimmer didn’t jump.

“But what can we do? They protested the call, but the jury of appeal had nothing to look at other than the referee’s decision. They are upset obviously because the video shows something different. But I’m not sure what could be done because FINA doesn’t allow the use of video taping in any dispute.”