Singapore Underwater Federation falsified finswimming results in 2023 SEA Games selection: SNOC, SportSG
A finswimmer at the 2023 SEA Games. (File photo: Facebook/SNOC)
This audio is generated by an AI tool.
SINGAPORE: The Singapore Underwater Federation (SUF) submitted falsified results for the women's 4x200m surface relay finswimming event during the 2023 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games selection process.
This was revealed on Wednesday (Mar 19) by the Singapore National Olympic Council (SNOC) and Sport Singapore (SportSG). A police report was lodged on Tuesday.
A committee of inquiry was convened by both sports authorities on Jul 1, 2024, to investigate allegations that SUF had falsified results.
The committee was chaired by Mr Lau Kok Keng, a partner at Rajah & Tann and an SNOC executive committee member. It included members from SNOC and SportSG.
Investigations ended in February.
"The investigation concluded that the results submitted were indeed falsified," said SNOC and SportSG in a joint press release.
"The investigation also identified areas of poor governance and a failure within SUF to report wrongdoings of those involved."
Finswimming is split into several categories, with swimmers using monofins - the ones resembling fish tails - and others donning bifins or stereofins - those typically used by scuba divers.
According to an archive of the 2023 SEA Games website and a copy of the finish sheet uploaded online by Sportalsub.net, a team comprising Bernice Ting, Jamie Ang, Vanessa Ong and Jovita Ho represented Singapore in the 4x200m surface relay at the 2023 SEA Games in Cambodia.
They finished last in the four-team final, about 50 seconds behind winners Vietnam.
Selection criteria for the 32nd SEA Games
According to SNOC's website in May 2022, national sports associations (NSA) looking to nominate athletes should establish qualifying standards and criteria at least 13 months before the Games.
The Games, which are open to all athletes, should also meet the standards in NSA-sanctioned championships and time trials.NSAs must submit their selection criteria to SNOC or the Singapore Sports Institute for endorsement before publication.
The nomination forms, which are sent to NSAs about six months before the Games, must clearly state the justification for the athletes to be selected.
Athletes must be Singaporeans and should not hold dual citizenship if they are above 21 years old at the time of nomination.
- Selection criteria
Under the selection process, athletes who have achieved at least third place in terms of time, distance, score, or mark at the 2021 SEA Games will be considered. For team sports, they must currently be ranked third among the SEA Games countries.
Those who "marginally" miss the qualifying standard but "show potential to equal or surpass it" in time for the Games may also be considered.
While all submitted achievements should take place at NSA-sanctioned championships and trials, the associations may submit achievements from overseas championships and meets of athletes studying in overseas tertiary institutions. These must be properly accredited and sanctioned to be accepted.
Achievements must be recorded between Apr 1, 2022, and the Entry by Name deadline, in March 2023, pending confirmation from the local organising committee.
SNOC said that in accordance with the Olympic Charter, selection is based not only on an athlete’s sports performance but also on their ability to serve as an example for the sporting youth of their country.
- Other considerations
An athlete's "qualities" will also be taken into consideration for the selection, in addition to the selection criteria, said SNOC.
These include the attitude and behaviour towards coaches, teammates, fellow athletes, officials and sports administrators in all aspects.
An athlete’s general conduct and character will also be assessed, particularly if it may impact the reputation, image, values or best interests of the athlete or the sport.
Past disciplinary record, current skill level and fitness, and overall character will be taken into account. Additionally, the athlete’s level of commitment and attendance, as well as their potential for future development, will be considered.
Their ability to demonstrate team spirit and work well with teammates and officials will also be assessed, as well as other non-performance-related qualities deemed relevant by the selectors.
- Extenuating circumstances
Selectors may, at their discretion, take "extenuating circumstances" into account when assessing an athlete's performance and "qualities", said SNOC.
"Extenuating circumstances" refer to the inability of the athlete to compete in and/or attend events, training camps or other required attendances. These may include injury or illness, equipment failure, travel delays, bereavement and any other circumstances the selectors deem relevant.
- Selection and appeals
If an athlete or team is not selected, NSAs may submit an appeal to the SNOC Appeals Committee. The appeal must include new information that meets the selection criteria and was not previously presented to the selection committee.
RESULTS FOR GAMES SELECTION
The COI has also provided recommendations that SportSG and SNOC will review and implement to strengthen the integrity of the process of national sports associations’ submission of results for major Games selection.
The SUF remains suspended by the SNOC after its membership was revoked in December 2023 due to its suspension by its international federation on a separate matter.
SportSG has suspended support for the administrators, athletes and the National Registry of Coaches membership of the coaches who were involved.
"SNOC and SportSG do not condone any acts that undermine the integrity of the major Games selection process," said the authorities.
"We take this opportunity to remind our sporting community to uphold the highest standards of professionalism and integrity in their conduct.
"National sports associations must exercise responsibility in submitting accurate and authentic datapoints."
All national sports associations will be required to undertake an additional declaration to authenticate all relevant major Games selection-related supporting documents that are submitted.
SportSG will also step up sample checks to verify the authenticity of all supporting documents and datapoints, it said.
In response to CNA's queries on Wednesday, the police confirmed a report was lodged, adding that investigations are ongoing.
