British swimming chief David Sparkes insists it is far easier to win a rowing
medal than gain a top-three finish in the pool.
Sparkes defended the methods of performance director Bill Sweetenham before
insisting that the sheer number of entrants to the pool events means they will
always be more fiercely contested than rowing races.
The chief executive of the Amateur Swimming Association has seen Sweetenham's
squad capture just one medal in Athens - Stephen Parry's bronze in the 200
metres butterfly.
At least that marks an improvement on four years ago, when Britain failed to
win a single swimming medal in Sydney, the first time since 1936 they had
returned from an Olympic Games empty handed.
There could be a second medal for Team GB tonight when James Goddard goes into
the 200m backstroke final as the second fastest qualifier.
"We've got 150 nations out here competing for medals.
"Medals have gone to
South Africa, medals have gone out to Argentina - it's not like rowing where
you've got about 30 nations in the world doing it, you can't compare swimming to
rowing," Sparkes told BBC Radio Five Live.
"They actually get twice as much funding as us as a matter of fact, but
you've got to remember you're not competing against the world, you're competing
against about a quarter of the world.
"There are 200 nations in swimming, there are 153 nations here in the pool,
that's a heck of a difference to the 40 nations (actually 55) that will be
paddling up and down in boats.
"Is it easier to win a medal in rowing? Yes, it's much easier.
"It is harder to win a medal in the athletics stadium than it is in the
swimming pool, because there's even more nations there.
"You have to look at the world, and that's why it's hard to win the World Cup
at football."
Sparkes, whose provocative comments will certainly not help Team GB morale,
also responded firmly to comments made by British swimmer Mark Foster, who
believes Sweetenham treats veteran performers like junior athletes.
Foster missed out on qualifying for the 50metres freestyle.
Sparkes added: "Bill Sweetenham's got it right in the sense that we're going
in the right direction, they're much fitter than they were in Sydney and we're
challenging in the finals."
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