Tokyo sunrise swim finals anger stars
SPRINT queen Cate Campbell says she is disappointed the rights of athletes have not been considered as organisers push ahead with scheduling swimming finals for the Tokyo Olympics in the morning.
Television rights holders from the US and Japan had been locked in debate about the scheduling of swimming finals, with the host country determined to be able to broadcast one of the country’s most popular Olympic sports in the evenings.
The competition schedule for the 2020 Games was released by the International Olympic Committee this week but did not include times for aquatic events.
But a decision by world governing body FINA to side with the US networks means finals are all but certain to be held in the morning, as they were at the Beijing Games in 2008.
Rumours of the move have been around for some time, with Swimming Australia already preparing their athletes for the move.
But Campbell said it remained disappointing.
“It’s not unexpected but I’m a little disappointed that the rights of the athletes are not being considered,” she said. “I think it will be a lot easier than swimming in a midnight final like we did in Rio so it’s not something that’s worrying or concerning.”
Finals at the Rio Olympics in 2016 started at 10pm local time, with athletes in the final events of the session hitting the water at midnight to coincide with peak viewing times in America.
Australian head coach Jacco Verhaeren said coaches and athletes needed to come together to voice their concerns about the decision.
“Not to change it but to give attention to athletes’ rights and consultation with coaches and athletes before making those decisions,” he said.