Aleka Persaud has officially replaced Jamila Sanmoogan as the lone female swimmer to represent Guyana at the Tokyo Olympics.
This is according to a letter seen by this publication from the world governing swimming body, Fédération Internationale De Natation (FINA) to the local body, Guyana Amateur Swimming Association (GASA).
The letter confirmed Andre Fowler for the 100 metre freestyle event with an entry time of 54.10s while Persaud eclipsed Sanmoogan for the spot in the Women 50m freestyle event with an entry time of 28.17s which was achieved in Puerto Rico back in May.
The letter detailed that this selection was done in accordance with FINA rules, the published International Olympic Committee’s qualification system for swimming and the recent communication with FINA.
Under the Universality Places the highest ranked athletes, based on the FINA points table with a cutoff date of June 20, 2021 are expected to represent the country.
Sanmoogan was set for Japan but with the shift in dates, FINA had also made adjustments to its deadlines in consideration that the then top ranked swimmer may not necessarily be the top swimmer currently.
“In practical terms, this means that the previous suggestion of athletes invited by FINA to fill Universality places can be modified if the swimmers that took part at the 2019 FINA World Championships in Gwangju (KOR) are currently not the highest ranked in your country in according to the above-mentioned FINA Points Table,” FINA stated in a letter back in April.
Last weekend in The Bahamas, Persaud continued to show why she deserves to be at the Olympics after setting a new national record in the women’s 50m freestyle event with a time of 28.10s, shaving off 0.05s off Olympian, Brittany Van Lange’s record.
