The issue of Delroy Tyrrell making a nationality switch is nearing a resolution, as World Aquatics has stated that if the Guyana Amateur Swimming Association (GASA) does not submit an application on behalf of the swimmer, he can independently submit his own application and the relevant documents.
According to an exchange of emails seen by this publication, Delroy’s father, Fitzroy Tyrrell, wrote to World Aquatics seeking clarification on the status of his son’s application and included a newspaper article where GASA President Dwayne Scott was quoted as saying he submitted Delroy’s application.
However, World Aquatics member Jan Exner, in his response, revealed that contrary to Scott’s claims, no application was submitted when it was supposed to have been submitted since in July 2023.
On the other hand, Exner told the Tyrrells that should Scott fail to submit the application and all relevant documents by September 18, they can then file the application themselves, thereby providing an avenue for swift resolution.
Efforts to contact Scott for a comment proved futile as calls to his cellular phone went unanswered up to press time.
Guyanese-born swimmer Delroy Tyrrell, who has represented Trinidad and Tobago internationally, has struggled to make headway in his effort to switch sporting nationalities.
Tyrrell, GASA, and the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) came to an initial agreement on July 27, 2024, that the backstroke swimmer would switch allegiances and represent his native land on the international circuit.
However, Scott, during a prior interview with this publication, stated that there has been no progress because of Tyrrell not fulfilling certain FINA requirements.
He had stated, “The nationality issue is with World Aquatics. Mr. Tyrrell got a response from World Aquatics on the matter. The nationality requirements must be evidently met for this to apply. GASA doesn’t control that, but more so Mr. Tyrrell himself.”
Scott had further explained, “You must first meet those criteria, one of which is you must be a resident of Guyana, and that residency must be in excess of one year. That has not been fulfilled. That is the key one. You can do what you want in and around Guyana, but your residency must be fulfilled.”
“You have to provide proof of residency; that’s the most major requirement, and you can’t say that you’re living in Guyana, but you’re in residency in the US, and you’re swimming in the US. This is on record because you’re swimming as a collegiate in the US. What do you think that World Aquatics will assess it as?” Scott had stated.
