THE International Swimming Federation (FINA) has validated with finality the entry of the Philippine Swimming, Inc. (PSI) to the 19th FINA World Championships set on June 17 to July 3 in Budapest, Hungary.
“FINA confirms that Mrs. Lailani Velasco, recognized president of the PSI, has completed the sports entries of the swimming delegation of the Philippines according to FINA rules,” FINA sports director Pere Miro told Ms. Velasco in a letter on Saturday.
The Philippine swimming group has fielded in multiple Southeast Asian Games medalist Jasmine Alkhaldi, Miranda Renner, and Jonathan Cook to the world tilt.
Jerald Jacinto, who would have been a replacement to an injured Luke Gebbie, begged off due to medical reasons.
FINA stressed it has denied the PSI’s request to allow Chloe Isleta, the country’s lone Hanoi Southeast Asian Games gold medalist, to be part of the Budapest-bound squad due to gender equality.
“With no swimmers who have achieved the ‘A’ or ‘B’ Standard Entry Time, National Federations may only enter up to four swimmers, two men and two women,” it said.
“With one or two swimmers who has achieved the ‘A’ or ‘B’ Standard Entry Time, National Federations may enter up to four (two men, two women), and with three swimmers who have achieved ‘A’ or ‘B’ Standard Entry Time, one additional swimmer provided that both genders are represented.”
The world swimming body informed PSI chief Ms. Velasco that no exception was possible and “FINA rules must be respected by all national federations.” — Joey Villar
