The Bermuda Amateur Swimming Association (“BASA”) announces that the Long Course National Championships, sponsored by Validus and scheduled for June 5th – 8th, 2014 at the National Sports Centre (“NSC”) have been recognized by FINA (world governing body of aquatics) as approved for swimmers achieving the FINA “A” and “B” Swimming Qualifying Standard Times.
This recognition by FINA allows results at the meet to be recognized for qualification purposes for both 2014 Youth Olympic Games and 2015 World Championships.
Bermuda National Coach Ben Smith said, “The major international swimming competitions require qualifying standards to be achieved at a very limited number of meets that satisfy all requirements to ensure the veracity of the times swum. As a result of the FINA confirmation, and the limited number of such recognized meets each year, we are receiving interest from overseas swimmers to participate, which will provide added competition to our local swimmers seeking to continue their impressive performances from Carifta 2014.”
The Bermuda National Championships represent the last opportunity for several Bermudians to attain a qualifying time for the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow later this summer.
Smith expanded, “There are three local swimmers who we feel have a legitimate chance to qualify for Commonwealths at this meet. Already qualified are Olympian Roy-Allan Burch and Julian Fletcher, in addition to which Rebecca Heyliger, Ashley Yearwood and Lisa Blackburn have achieved times this season which give us hope of expanding the team beyond the current two qualifiers.”
Interim CEO of the NSC Bernie Asbell added, “This meet represents the first competition at the NSC using a 50 metre format, and we anticipate having this meet replicate the success of the 25 metre format meets, including the Island Games last year. The facility is in great shape and we are delighted that BASA are partnering with us to host their National Championships.”
President of BASA Nick Strong said, “The FINA recognition is a testament to the hard work put in by Smith structuring the meet and coordinating with FINA. In partnership with the NSC and Validus, our meet sponsor, we are excited about the first long course Championships in Bermuda’s history. We appreciate the vote of confidence from Validus and we hope that we can make our partnership one that is both long and mutually beneficial.”
