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Open Letter to the Minister of Culture, Youth, and Sports

Oct 25, 2020 Sports

Hon. Minister Mr. Charles Ramson,
The Guyana Amateur Swimming Association (GASA) presents its compliments and hereby makes an appeal for consideration for the swimming pools (25m and 50m) at the National Aquatic Center (NAC) to be re-opened in a limited and phased manner.
This request is to allow Guyana’s 2021 Olympic hopefuls and other elite athletes to recommence training, complying with the National Task Force Covid-19 guidelines, issued by the Government of Guyana.
It was in July 2020 that Federation Internationale De Natation (FINA), the World governing body for swimming and other aquatic sports, issued “Back to the Water” Covid-19 Guidelines for safe return to the water for athletes.
According to these guidelines, inter alia, there should be a maximum of 4 swimmers per lane for 25m pools and 8 swimmers per lane for 50m pools. This translate to a maximum of 32 swimmers for the ‘warm up’ pool and 80 swimmers for the main (Olympic size) pool at the NAC.
According to the FINA Sports Medicine Committee (SMC) “athletes, forced into an unprecedented and prolonged break from habituated training routines, may experience the physical effects of “detraining”
“Briefly, “detraining” is a natural physiological phenomenon occurring over weeks and months after an individual ceases regular training. This results in a diminished efficiency of heart and lungs to transport oxygen and use this in active muscles (i.e. reduced cardio–‐respiratory efficiency), and a diminished capacity of skeletal muscle to display strength, flexibility and endurance (i.e reduced musculoskeletal capability).”
In short, the longer swimmers stay out of the pool, the more their performance and development will be negatively affected. In addition to this, swimming, at least for competitive swimmers, has recommenced, under respective their country guidelines, in countries such as Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica, Barbados, St. Lucia and further afield.
Given the above, GASA is respectfully requesting this initial re-opening of the NAC, to allow our 2021 Olympic hopeful swimmers and other elite athletes to recommence training in the pool.
Specifically, GASA is asking for a maximum of 12 swimmers to be allowed to train, per session, at the NAC. This limit on the number of swimmers is much more stringent than the guidelines of FINA, which recommends a maximum of 32 swimmers for a 25m pool and 80 swimmers for a 50m pool. With your positive consideration for the reopening of the facility we will ensure that the hand sanitizing, physical distancing and other Covid-19 guidelines are complied with where necessary. Please be assured of our highest regards.

Yours sincerely,
Brian Goodridge
President
Guyana Amateur Swimming Association

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