Tokyo: As many as six Polish swimmers were sent home even before competing at the Tokyo Olympics after it was sound out that their federation had made an error while submitting the list of entries for the big event.
Alicja Tchórz, Bartosz Piszczorowicz, Aleksandra Polańska, Mateusz Chowaniec, Dominika Kossakowska and Jan Hołub were all a part of the relay team in the 23-member contingent, announced by the Polish Swimming Federation.
Piąta nad ranem w Tokio. Pływacy żegnają szóstkę wycofanych kolegów… pic.twitter.com/IjyUYtfDmN
— Maksym Jaworski (@MaxJaw_) July 17, 2021
However, as soon as they landed in Japan, the six arrived were seen hugging their teammates and bid goodbye to their Olympic dreams following an error in the qualification submission process involving sending too many swimmers.
According to a July 17 post on the Polish Swimming Federation website, it was said that its revised Olympic roster will have 17 competitors, which was a result of differences with ‘the completion of the approval process by International Swimming Federation (FINA), the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Organizing Committee and the Polish Olympic Committee’.
Kadrowicze w wiosce olimpijskiej powiesili na ścianie zdjęcia skreślonych kolegów. Dziewczyny zrobiły to samo u siebie z trójką brakujących pływaczek. pic.twitter.com/2ec3r2IEXo
— Maksym Jaworski (@MaxJaw_) July 19, 2021
As per FINA, Poland qualified for the Tokyo Olympics in men’s and women’s individual events, men’s 4x100m freestyle relay, men’s 4x200m freestyle relay, men’s medley relay and mixed medley relay. After the error came out in public, several swimmers signed an open letter to Polish Swimming Federation chief Paweł Słomiński asking the entire board to resign immediately.
“The actions of the Association led to an unprecedented event in the history of Polish sport,” read the letter. “In addition, Polish swimming – both in the eyes of the public and potential sponsors – has been exposed as a laughing stock and it will have a glaring effect on all competitors who compete in the white and red colors on a daily basis. We appeal to the president and the entire board to resign immediately.”
Meanwhile, the six dejected swimmers were greeted with applause at the airport on their return at home. In another noble and heartwarming gesture, the Polish swimmers already at the Tokyo Olympics village have posted pictures of the six withdrawn swimmers on the wall so that they feel connected.
