Swimming Canada – Due to extreme water temperatures in Doha, Qatar, Team Canada has decided not to allow Canadian athletes to compete in the 5-km open water swimming races at the ANOC World Beach Games.
Ahead of the races set for early Sunday morning, Swimming Canada and the Canadian Olympic Committee reviewed the information available with regard to the expected water temperatures. Federations were advised that the water temperature would be above the FINA maximum of 31 degrees Celsius.
“The temperature conditions for this race do not meet the requirements of our Open Water Safety Checklist, which is in place to safeguard athletes,” said Swimming Canada CEO Ahmed El-Awadi. “Athlete safety will always be of paramount importance to our team, therefore Team Canada has no option but to withdraw our swimmers for their own personal safety.”
Swimming Canada Distance/Open Water Coach Mark Perry advised swimmers Raben Dommann, Eric Hedlin, Chantel Jeffrey and Kate Sanderson, and their coaches of this decision Saturday.