SA pins medal hopes on swimmers at aquatic championships

22 July 2015 - 02:02 By David Isaacson

Nearly 50 South Africans will be in action at the world aquatics championships in Kazan, Russia, from Friday until August 9, competing across disciplines such as water polo, synchronised swimming and diving. But hopes of silverware will again rest on the swimmers like Chad le Clos and Cameron van der Burgh, both defending champions.Le Clos, Van der Burgh, Sebastien Rousseau and Myles Brown are also the only members of the team who don't have to pay for themselves, having achieved the highest level of qualification.Fina, the world governing body for swimming, subsidises accommodation and travel costs, but cash-strapped Swimming SA still requires the other competitors to contribute to the cost of the trip.Le Clos, who won the 100m and 200m butterfly double in Barcelona in 2013, will also race in the 50m fly and 200m freestyle.Van der Burgh won the 50m breaststroke and took silver in the 100m two years ago...

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