Team Canada Becomes Second DNS At World Beach Games

Courtesy of Swim Canada, Doha, Qatar.

Due to extreme water temperatures in Doha, Qatar, Team Canada has decided not to allow Canadian swimmers Raben Dommann, Eric Hedlin [shown above], Chantel Jeffrey and Kate Sanderson to compete in the 5 km ANOC World Beach Games races.

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°C.

“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’s decision comes after American swimmers Haley Anderson and Ashley Twichell also pulled out earlier.

The ANOC World Beach Games were previously scheduled to be held in San Diego, California, but were moved to Qatar due to a lack of finances to host the IOC-sanctioned Games in San Diego.

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