Following the suspension of the Dolphin Speed Swim Club (DSSC) by the Guyana Amateur Swimming Association (GASA), the club has filed an official complaint to the Aquatics Integrity Unit of World Aquatics formerly known as FINA. World Aquatics is the international federation recognised by the International Olympic Committee for administering international competitions in water sports.
Up to press time last evening, GASA President Dwain Scott had yet to reply to questions from Stabroek Sport about the complaint.
While the filing of the complaint was sparked by the suspension of the club, chief among the points listed by Dolphin in their complaint are alleged violations of the World Aquatics Integrity Code.
According to Dolphin, those incidents sparked concern and thus their complaint is a “demand for transparency within our sport”.
In the document seen by Stabroek Sport, Dolphin states; “For several years, and spanning several administrations, State Institutions – the Guyana Police Force (Police) and the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) have attempted, albeit in futility, to become members of GASA. The arguments against their admission as full members with all rights and privileges have ranged from the ridiculous to the sublime. Some say that at age 18, senior swimmers from the current affiliates will immediately move to these clubs because they have the state resources available to them and can therefore offer more opportunities to athletes. Others illogically argue that these clubs would only have adults and adult males should not be around young females in swimsuits.
There is no value to be added in addressing these arguments, other than to say that good sense should prevail so that membership is increased, and all clubs work together for the improvement of the sport”.
That point continued; “The documentation available to Dolphin shows that the issue lay dormant for years until GASA’s current President and both entities began fresh discussions. After a series of emails and meetings, GASA’s Secretary sent an email to its Council on December 14, 2021, attaching a 10-page written application from the Police dated October 31, 2021. Every month since the 2021 application, there have been monthly Council meetings, and over the course of 31 meetings, that is, more than two and a half years, GASA has not decided on the application”.
Additionally, GASA stands accused of not granting athletes from Dolphin SSC fair chances to participate in trials for international meets such as the Goodwill Swimming Championships (a developmental meet between Jamaica, Guyana and Barbados), the PanAm Games, World Junior Championships, World Swimming Championships, Carifta Games 2024 and qualifiers for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
While GASA stands accused of impropriety, there was an attempt to “broker a resolution”, as two meetings between GASA and Dolphin were held under the mediation of Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Charles Ramson Jr. According to the document, those meetings were held on March 9, 2024, and the other on March 12, 2024.
According to the document; “At the March 9 meeting, two of GASA’s Council members were also present (they did not attend the March 12 meeting). Trident’s representative attended only the March 12 meeting. At those meetings, GASA’s President and the Council members present acknowledged that Trident’s application was constitutionally sound and that there was no real reason for denying the club entry into the Association. There was also no justifiable reason to deny entry to the Police and GDF. It was also generally agreed that while the manner in which protest was conducted may constitute certain violations, sanctions could only be applied upon a finding of wrongdoing based on intention and should be individually and specifically applied after consideration of any extenuating and mitigating factors, rather than holistically on a club”.
Following the meetings, Dolphin further noted that GASA agreed to deal with the pending applications for membership and to quash the sanctions against Dolphin and Tridents among other actions.
However, GASA has not followed through on those recommended actions.
In a statement after the filing of the complaint, Dolphin declared; “As an organization deeply committed to upholding the principles of fairness, integrity, and inclusivity in aquatic sports, Dolphin Speed Swim Club takes any accusations of misconduct very seriously. Any allegation of misconduct should be investigated, and any findings disclosed, and all parties given the opportunity to defend themselves at a hearing at which all mitigating and (if applicable) aggravating factors can be taken into account before any wrongdoing is found and any sanction applied. It is our firm belief that every athlete deserves equal opportunities and fair treatment, regardless of their background, affiliation, or standing within the swimming community”.
“We urge all parties involved to cooperate fully with any inquiries and to prioritize the best interests of the athletes and the integrity of the sport above all else”.
Dolphin opined that the present administration of GASA should be dismantled.
“We fear that GASA as presently constituted, may have to be disbanded and an Interim Management Committee established”.
