Month: September 2024

In the case filed at the High Court of South Africa (Gauteng Local Division, Johannesburg), artistic swimmers Laura Strugnell and Jessica Hayes-Hill have initiated legal action against Swimming South Africa (SSA) and the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC). The summons, electronically filed on September 19, 2024, outlines the swimmers’ grievances against the sporting bodies. The plaintiffs are seeking legal recourse for what they perceive as unfair treatment during a disciplinary process that compromised their chances of competing at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

The summons reflects the athletes’ dissatisfaction with SSA’s handling of the situation, particularly their withdrawal from key Olympic qualifiers without due process. The swimmers are claiming damages for the financial, emotional, and reputational harm caused by SSA’s actions, and are appealing for justice to restore their rights and opportunities as athletes competing at an international level.

The document details an appeal process initiated by two South African artistic swimmers, Laura Strugnell and Jessica Hayes-Hill, against Swimming South Africa (SSA). They were subject to a disciplinary action without proper notice or sufficient evidence while competing at the 2023 World Championships in Doha. The swimmers were summoned to a disciplinary hearing with minimal notice, accused of “deceitful actioning of training protocol without management approval.” Despite contesting the charges and raising concerns about the fairness of the process, they were withdrawn from competition and sent home. The appeal judgment found the disciplinary process procedurally and substantively unfair, ruling in favor of the swimmers.

The appeal also highlighted that SSA failed to provide adequate reasons for the sanctions and disregarded proper procedures for handling disciplinary matters. The rushed nature of the hearing, vague charges, and lack of opportunity for the swimmers to present their case resulted in the decision being overturned. The swimmers are seeking compensation for emotional distress, financial losses, and damage to their reputations, as the flawed process jeopardized their chances to compete in future competitions, including the Paris Olympics.

Two South African athletes, Laura Strugnell and Jessica Hayes-Hill, are suing Swimming South Africa (SSA) for R7.2 million after a flawed disciplinary process prevented them from competing in the Paris Olympic qualifiers. The swimmers were sent home before competing at the 2023 World Championships in Doha, following a last-minute and poorly detailed disciplinary hearing conducted without their presence. Although they later won an appeal overturning the decision due to the unfair disciplinary process, they claim the premature exit from Doha caused them emotional and financial damage, including the loss of potential sponsorships for future competitions and the 2028 Olympics.

Source – https://www.timeslive.co.za/sunday-times/sport/2024-09-22-swimmers-sue-federation-for-killing-olympic-dream/