National swimming coach blames traffic jam for registration screw up

[surestik]

NEW DELHI - THE Singapore men's 4x200m freestyle relay team suffered the embarrassment of being disqualified from their final yesterday without even hitting the pool - all because they had failed to submit their entry for the final on time.

The team of Teo Zhen Ren, Jeremy Kevin Mathews, Arren Quek and Mattias Ng had clocked 7min 47.19sec in their heat in the morning to qualify for the final as the seventh-fastest team.

However, the quartet's joy subsequently turned into anxiety and later disappointment when they missed the 3pm deadline for submitting their entry for the final. The bus ferrying the squad had arrived at the venue only at 3.45pm due to traffic delays.

Team manager and head coach Ang Peng Siong said in a statement issued by Team Singapore: 'It usually takes us about 20 to 30 minutes to reach the Dr S.P. Mukherjee Swimming Complex. Today, it took us about an hour to reach the swimming complex.'

The final was at 6pm, but the squad had left at 2.45pm so that 'the team would not have to wait at the venue for too long before their event', said Ang.

He added: 'We lodged an appeal with the competitions manager, which was signed by all the head coaches of the other teams in the final, but we were not successful.'



Folks, you think this is acceptable?

[Ivanloh]

That going to be hurting since it reach final, but no excuse for that!!!

[4Dvisor]

Sack Uncle Siong ??? just like they ask Table Tennis coach LIU to leave.

[exxondus]

I got a question.

Takes 20-30 minutes to reach. And he said they left at 2:45pm. Deadline is 3pm to submit.

Question is. ni the best case scenario, they could only reach at 3:05pm right? which is still after deadline, NO?

[pegasi]

I guess they didn't expect the India organiser to be so on-the-ball...

[rh1667]

I got a question.

Takes 20-30 minutes to reach. And he said they left at 2:45pm. Deadline is 3pm to submit.

Question is. ni the best case scenario, they could only reach at 3:05pm right? which is still after deadline, NO?

I guess this is what everyone is asking.
If they had left at 2.15pm or even 2.30pm, still can use traffic jam as excuse.

[feilong108]

erm..cannot understand how come cannot leave the hotel at 2pm...at least got enuff time in case anything crop up along the way...and btw the country is very notorious for massive traffic jams....

They do not check out the country road culture before going there? Kinda of a lame excuse to blame on the traffic to me...

[seiko.citizen]

Maybe they didnt know the cows got full time right of way

[exxondus]

erm..cannot understand how come cannot leave the hotel at 2pm...at least got enuff time in case anything crop up along the way...and btw the country is very notorious for massive traffic jams....

They do not check out the country road culture before going there? Kinda of a lame excuse to blame on the traffic to me...

They probably tht will have the "Give way to athletes OR tio Fine jia lak jia lak" sign at the side of the road

[feilong108]

Hahahaha..sound kinda of familiar leh...with the commonwealth game logo in 1 of the lane???hahahahaha

[Keith8896]

Can make them pay for their expense ? What excuse it this!!!

[seiko.citizen]

But for s'poreans it should be no excuse. Afterall, majority of guys have experienced 2yrs of strict discipline. At last check, army privates were taught to handle time effectively.

I have to admit, my timing is so-so only, and occasionally, i will be late; but to be late by 45mins++ really isnt an excuse.

[Nooch]

Why can't they go at 2pm or 215pm??? Why 245pm? As mentioned it take 20 - 30 mins to reach.. go before 230pm la, wat excuses is tat??

[sirowhite]

cannot forgive!
......they totally don't have such risk management sense, why need to wait until last minute....maybe next time he should go more early.......before office hour!?...kia-su mah..hahaha..

[mingwen]

its abit too harsh also lah..anyway whats the big deal?the organisers should exercise some flexibility to allow s'pore or be it other countries to compete as an act of good faith n good will..afterall,delhi is not an ideal city to play host to the games with many issues ranging from security,safety,hygiene n traffic.they should b grateful many countries are taking part.