[QUOTE=vineyridge;8789454]
FEI is not happy that the Russians are barred from the Paralympics.
And swimming seems to be just as corrupt or clueless as the other major sports. https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/aug/10/olympic-swimming-credibility-doubt-questions-entry-times
And read about swimming’s “universality” program, which allowed 200 swimmers to go to Rio if no swimmers from particular countries reached qualifying times. 200 unqualified swimmers just taking up space. Equestrian was limited to a total of 200 horse/rider combinations.[/QUOTE]
I hadn’t heard of the universality program, but that’s kind of awesome.
It reminds me of what the Olympics should be about–the best of every nation competing–and not what it is becoming–the best of every wealthy nation competing.
Especially when it can be done safely through a sport like swimming, where under qualification means you won’t make it out of your first heat (or two) but you aren’t at risk of injury the way an underqualified Eventer would be.
And, frankly, they can add these athletes in fairly cost effectively. Much more cost effectively than if they tried to add additional horse/rider teams for equestrian events.
Too bad the article makes it sound like the program is corrupt and/or incompetent, but in theory I like the idea of it.
