THE Irish Amateur Swimming Association are determined to go ahead with the National championships this summer despite the fact that they are due to take place while the swimming events in the Atlanta Olympics are ink progress.
It is a strange decision, and one certain to have serious repercussions for the association, as it threatens to assign the national event to a status of insignificance for competitors, sponsors and media alike.
The Irish championships are fixed for five days from July 23rd-27th at Grove Baths, Belfast. The Olympics open on July 20th and the swimming events, as usual, will dominate the first week of competition. At a time when the need for sponsorship backing has become paramount for the sport, the seemingly straitjacket approach is inconceivable.
The IASA officers feel that the championships will not be moved at this stage. However, the matter will be discussed at the Ulster branch meeting on Monday week. Ulster secretary Alison McKibben believes that spectators and officials would wish to be given the opportunity of watching the Olympics and the Irish championships separately. "We will have Marion (Madine) involved in Atlanta and would all wish to be behind her. It is very unfortunate," says McKibben.
The position is not without precedent, for the Irish championships were staged in Tuam at the same time as the Los Angeles Games in 1984. Former IASA president Eddie Campion is dismayed. "Could you imagine the BLE running it's championships at the same time as the Olympics?" he asks. The provincial branches of the association are expected to air their views in the next few weeks, but the consensus is that there will be no change.
Meanwhile, Ray Kendal continues to bring top administrative honours to the association. The Irish treasurer, an officer of LEN, (Europe's controlling body in the sport), has been appointed to officiate as referee at next year's European championships. Kendal has already been appointed to referee the European junior championships in Copenhagen in August.
Kendal and IASA secretary Celia Millane, will meet SOS groups (Swimming Officials and Supporters) in all four provinces over the next few weeks. The idea is to encourage local members to become more involved, with a view to upgrading gala's countrywide. Since the SOS was founded a few years ago, several gala's - notably the National and Leisureland meets - have shown notable improvement.
Meanwhile, Ulster's championships will again be open this year from March 21st-24th.
