The French Swimming Championships, qualifiers for the Tokyo Olympics, were interrupted "
until further notice
" Saturday morning due to a technical problem in the Chartres basin, announced the French Swimming Federation. (FFN).
“
During the tests, we noticed that the wall (mobile on the starting side) had moved: there is one side where it is perfectly aligned, but on the other, there is 20, 30 cm less
” and the basin is therefore no longer 50 m at all water lines, describes the National Technical Director Julien Issoulié.
The competition, which started on Tuesday, was halted shortly after 10:30 a.m. during the playoffs, first for half an hour, then until noon, and finally suspended until further notice.
From the edge of the pool, we could see that the starting platform, mobile to adapt to the size of the pool, gradually deviated at an angle, until it moved forward about twenty centimeters to line 8.
This incident raises questions about the results of the races contested in the morning.
However, only one, the women's 200m breaststroke, is on the Olympic program.
"
We just give ourselves time to understand the problem, and where it can lead us, and depending on that, we will see how to adapt the program,
" replied Issoulié, questioned on the possible need to have them rehabilitated.
“
We are always a little worried when a technical problem like that happens, but we will face it to see what solutions we can find,
” he continues.
“
There can be lots of plans: we could say we're going outside (in the outdoor pool), but given the weather conditions, I'm not sure that this is the best solution, do we shift one day, do you have to go swimming elsewhere?
Asks the DTN. There are plenty of possibilities, we will try to find a resumption of the championships. " A meeting with all the coaches is scheduled at 1:00 p.m.
