French Swimming not impressed by Fred Bousquet’s threat – Swimming News
Technical director of French Swimming, Christian Donze, has not changed his decision and has denied Fred Bousquet’s request to choose his coach, Brett Hawke, as a member of French Swimming for the 2011 World Championships, in July.
Donze asserted to keep his decision even if this means that the French gold medallist will revoke his participation or quit the sport.
It should be noted that Bousquet, after his victory in the 50m butterfly at the French Long Course Nationals in Strasbourg, stressed that he would not swim in Shanghai if his coach, Hawke, will not be present at the swimming blocks besides him.
The next bottom line from Bousquet’s camp was that he would quit the sport if his suggestion was undermined. The French swimmer’s agent approved the statement and uttered that the athlete’s words are a reflection of Bousquet’s determined view point towards
swimming.
On the other hand, Donze explained that he is comfortable with the chemistry of Hawke and Bousquet with each other, but the Australian Brett Hawke should not be officially approved by another nation and so, there will be no support from France. He also said
that Bousquet can cancel his participation or can quit the sport if he wants to.
Donze added, “I have never forbidden a swimmer speaking to his coach. If Brett Hawke has an accreditation with another nation over there, Fred will be able to work with him.”
It should be kept in mind that Bousquet is the only hope for France to win gold medals at the Shanghai World Championships and he will require personal attention on that day to dominate his way to the top of the podium.
While addressing to his threat, French team manager, Lionel Horter said, “If he quit that would hurt the team but the main victim would be Fred himself. I hope that reason will prevail.”
Nevertheless, none of this seems to bend the French Swimming Board to alter their decision. They stressed that they all admire Fred very well, as he is their key swimmer for the World Championship.
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