World Aquatics Drops Lithuanian Men’s 4×200 Free Relay Due To Olympic Quota

By Retta Race on SwimSwam

The nation of Lithuania has been dealt a major relay blow by World Aquatics with the 2024 Olympic Games beginning just days from now.

LTU Aquatics, the governing body of Lithuanian water sports, received an official letter from World Aquatics stating that one member of the Lithuanian team who had secured a spot on the men’s 4x200m free relay, will not be able to swim in Paris due to strict Olympic quotas.

Per LTU Aquatics, World Aquatics sent notification as follows: “We commend Lithuania’s achievement in qualifying for the Men’s 4x200m Freestyle Relay in Paris 2024 and for being the champion in this event at the recent European Aquatics Championships 2024.

“This milestone reflects a momentous opportunity for Lithuania to showcase its competitive edge at the forthcoming Olympic Games in Paris, France.

“However, we must respectfully inform you that the established quota places and the Qualification System for the Olympic Games Paris 2024 do not provide World Aquatics any flexibility.

“As outlined in the Qualification System, the consideration for offering additional Relay-Only athlete quota places to the NOC was to help the NOC solely for the purpose of enabling the relay team to participate in the relevant event, provided that the NOC does not have a sufficient number of qualified athletes with OQTs and invited athletes through OCT invitations.

“This was the guiding principle for World Aquatics’ considerations. Given that the rules and quotas are designed to ensure fairness and consistency for all participating NOCs, we are obligated to comply with these regulations without exception.”

The Lithuanian men’s 4x200m free relay earned the right to compete in Paris after placing 7th in a time of 7:11.57.

While competing at this year’s European Championships in Belgrade, Serbia, the Lithuanian foursome of Tomas Navikonis, Tomas Lukminas, Kristupas Trepocka and Danas Rapsys claimed men’s 4x200m free relay gold in a new national record of 7:08.04. This competition determined who would represent the nation in Paris.

But, according to World Aquatics, one of the swimmers who is now disallowed from going to Paris will need to be replace by another swimmer who has achieved an Olympic Qualification Time. Of the freestylers, only Rapsys has done so.  This means that one of the two swimmers who qualified in another swimming stroke—breaststroke—Andrius Šidlauskas, will have to participate in the relay.

Sidlauskas stated, This is a very unpleasant surprise. Four swimmers trained all season, competed for a place in the team that should swim at the Olympics, and now they learned that one of them will not be able to do so, despite having earned the right.

“It is sad for the young athletes who experienced such a blow even after becoming European champions. They were contenders for the Olympic final. This would have meant a lot for Lithuanian sports.

“Now, hoping for any better result when three athletes swim freestyle and one trains only in breaststroke is simply naive and unprofessional. I am uncomfortable having to swim in a relay I am not
related to.

“Of course, I will do my best, but it is absurd because conditions should be the same for all participants. The saddest thing is that all of Lithuania’s hopes of achieving the best historical result in the relay are shattered even before the start.”

Rapsys commented, “It is sad that, having the strongest relay lineup in our swimming history, we will not be able to utilize it at the Olympic Games.

“I saw with my own eyes how hard my teammates worked to showcase their abilities and to earn the right to compete at the Olympics. And now, despite having earned that right, we will not be able to reveal our full potential or achieve the best result. Is that the essence of the Olympic spirit?”

The head of LTU Aquatics, Saulius Binevičius, says they are considering the possibility of appealing to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

He said, “I have never encountered such a violation of sports principles.

“Our team is deeply unsettled because we were prepared to achieve our highest goals at the Olympic Games.

“The well-being of our athletes is critical, as it is clear that we will not be allowed to pursue those goals. Kristupas Trepočka, who’s progress recently increased dramatically and who became the European Junior Champion just a few days ago, had to be told that the Olympic doors are being slammed in his face this year. Can you imagine how he feels? We will appeal to all countries that have faced the same fate.”

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