“We didn’t bar Nigerian athletes from world swimming championships”- UAE

“We didn’t bar Nigerian athletes from world swimming championships 2021”- UAE

 

Touchaheart Nigeria reports that the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has refuted the idea that Nigerian athletes would be barred from competing in the 15th FINA World Swimming Championships in Dubai.

 

It was earlier reported that some of the athletes who arrived UAE from European Countries and not Nigeria, claimed they were not allowed to take part in the competition by authorities in the Middle-East Country on Thursday December 16.

 

Some of the athletes who claimed to have been handled unfairly withdrew from the competition after being denied access to Nigerian officials.

 

However, according to a statement made by the event’s local organizing committee, the UAE has denied any type of discrimination against athletes and national teams competing in the sport (LOC).

 

Stating that part of its rule for the competition include that “anyone who has tested positive for COVID-19, including those in contact with someone who has tested positive, must quarantine immediately”, the UAE countered claim of not enforcing same rule on Western national teams, by insisting that the “rules have been applied to all national teams without exceptions”.

 

The statement read;

“Since the very beginning of the pandemic, the UAE has implemented health and safety procedures to protect and safeguard the lives and wellbeing of its citizens, residents and visitors.

“The event’s local organizing committee (LOC) remains steadfast in its commitment to adhere to these procedures, based on the local health authority regulations.

“As per the safety protocols, anyone who has tested positive for COVID-19, including those in contact with someone who has tested positive, must quarantine immediately. Following robust testing procedures at the World Swimming Championships 2021, the necessary rules were effectively adopted.

“These rules have been applied to all national teams without exceptions. Any claims of discrimination against those who tested positive for COVID-19, including those in close contact with someone who did, are categorically untrue and without merit.”