Australian swimmers Moesha Johnson and Nick Sloman are fighting back with their discipline under threat at the Brisbane Olympics.
The pair compete in Marathon swimming – a 10km open-water race that has existed in the Olympics since 2008.
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However it could be axed with the Olympic committee planning on reducing the number of sports from a record 36 at the LA Games in 2028.
Athletes are beginning to rally in defence of their sport with world champion Johnson, who won silver in the event in Paris, leading the calls.
“To lose that high performance piece at the Olympics and the ability to be inspired to dream, that would be a real disturbance to the whole ecosystem of open-water swimming,” Johnson told AAP.
“It’s in our DNA. We’re proud of our swim team and that includes our open-water swimming team.
“It was a shock that open water swimming was even on the cutting block for the Olympics.
“Open water swimming is the original form of swimming at the Olympics.
“It’s the most traditional and rawest form of swimming, it’s very accessible all over the world.
“For Brisbane, we are almost fighting over where open water should go because we have so many beautiful venues to show off to the world and that’s something that is really important.
“If we can fight for open water at the Olympics, it’s creating something for future generations to look forward to in the sport of high performance.
“But also in communities, it’s a mental health thing for young people as well, so it’s bigger than just performance at the Olympics.
“I have also been talking to my competitors and they have started speaking out.
“I have even been in contact with AOC (Australian Olympic Committee) and World Aquatics and getting everyone on board.
“Everyone isn’t just fighting for a sport on the Olympic program, but believes in our sport and our community.”
Johnson is ready to fight and she has been supported in speaking out by her Dolphins teammate Nick Sloman.
“It’s gut-wrenching,” Sloman told AAP.
“Hopefully we can change the perspective of not only the world but a lot of Australians.
“It was a shock that open water swimming was even on the cutting block for the Olympics.
“Open water swimming is the original form of swimming at the Olympics.
“It’s the most traditional and rawest form of swimming, it’s very accessible all over the world.
“For Brisbane, we are almost fighting over where open water should go because we have so many beautiful venues to show off to the world and that’s something that is really important.”
Read related topics:Brisbane