H2Open Newsletter – Olympic Controversy and Confusion

Published: Wed, 08/17/16

 
The King's Swimmers
 
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The Olympic 10k marathon swims in Rio this week showcased both the best and worst of our sport. Two nail-biting races ended in controversy and confusion as two hours of swimming descended into a scrap for the finish and questionable disqualifications. A double Dutch win for Van Rouwendaal and Weertman has been marred by accusations of bad sportsmanship and leg-pulling, biased judges and incompetence on the part of FINA. Both races ended in confusion for athletes and spectators as results were recalled and medal positions re-awarded after examination of the photo finish. For two hours of brutal and inspiring swimming to descend into chaos because of the judging and timing mechanisms of the sport does a disservice to the athletes and to open water swimming. FINA must examine the way open water races are refereed and look at alternative ways to finish races – in races that are so closely fought surely better technology must exist than the slapping of an overhead board to register a time. 
What do you think? Join the discussion and email us at editor@h2openmagazine.com and you could win next issue’s star letter prize: a Wild Swim Bag from Swim Secure worth £32.99.
Enjoy the newsletter and happy swimming. 
Jonathan Cowie
Editor, H2Open Magazine
 
The King's Swimmers
The King's Swimmers

Swim with some of the world’s greatest open water swimmers.  Be motivated, be inspired and swim the dream.

The King of the English Channel, Kevin Murphy invites you to train under his direction in the beautiful island of Menorca. With him will be fellow Channel swimmers Kathy Batts and Ian Muir. Together they can help you kick start your plans for next year’s swims. They will help you achieve the six hour or two hour qualifying swims you need for a Channel solo or Channel relay swim.  The swim camp will run from 29th October until 3rd November. See you there.


Find out more!
 
>>PHOTO OF THE WEEK
Reader Photo Contest
POWERING THROUGH 
Marie Watson powers through the last gruelling km of the 13km Galway Bay Swim. Photo by Siobhan Russell.
Enter our October/November Reader Photo Contest to be in with a chance of having your photo featured in the magazine and winning outdoor swimming kit and apparel from Selkie Swim Co. 
>>NEWS
Men's Rio 10k
GOLD FOR WEERTMAN BUT DISQUALIFICATION FOR BURNELL AS MEN'S 10K OLYMPIC RACE DESCENDS INTO CHAOS  
Inspired swimming by Jarrod Poort, but nail-biting race marred by chaos and confusion at the finish.
Women's Rio 10k
VAN ROUWENDAAL TAKES GOLD IN WOMEN'S 10K OLYMPIC MARATHON SWIM 
Controversial disqualification of Muller gives silver to Bruni and bronze to Okimoto.  
Round Anglesey
LIANE LLEWELLYN HICKLING PLANS TO BE FIRST TO SWIM NON-STOP ROUND ANGLESEY
70+ miles of swimming is expected to take more than 24 hours.  
>>INSPIRATION
Six Outdoor Swimming books
TOP SIX OUTDOOR SWIMMING BOOKS
You can't be swimming all the time. Here are my favourite six books for outdoor swimmers – let us know what else you think should be included.
Swimming the Thames
SWIMMING THE LENGTH OF THE THAMES
We chat with Chris Mount, who set off on a 137-mile journey down the Thames on Saturday.
>>NUTRITION
Hydration
DON'T SWEAT IT 
Ben Price looks at hydration and electrolytes. 
>>DESTINATION FOCUS
Lofoten Islands
LOFOTEN ISLANDS 
The Lofoten islands are a Mecca for swimming, triathlon, climbing, trekking, canoeing, skiing and... errr.. golf. We like the sound of the Lofoten Islands.  
>>COMPETITIONS
SIMPLY SWIM
WIN £250 TO SPEND AT SIMPLY SWIM! 
One lucky winner will receive £250 to spend at SimplySwim.com on any open water swimwear and equipment of their choice.
Kozii
WIN KOZII SWIMMING COSTUMES AND TRUNKS! 
We've got ten pairs of swimming costumes and trunks from Australian swimwear brand Kozii to give away.
Great Swim
WIN ENTRY FOR YOU AND A FRIEND AT THE GREAT SCOTTISH SWIM – AND TWO GREAT SWIM HOODIES! 
Fancy swimming in one of the most beautiful and iconic lochs in the world? We have two 5k places at the Great Scottish Swim and two Great Swim hoodies up for grabs.
 
H2Open hoodies
Inspiration
AUGUST SEPTEMBER ISSUE
 
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