Problemas nos Jogos Olímpicos

Oito anos de treinamento, fortunas gastas comprando equipamento, contratando técnicos, viajando o mundo, lesões, lesões e lesões. Isso se chama campanha Olímpica e era esse filme que passava na minha mente regata após regata em uma constante luta contra o equipamento que, por mais que eu tentasse ajustar e até trocar, não funcionava. Não vou ficar contando uma historinha triste para sensibilizar as pessoas, o que aconteceu foi fato: a Neilpryde, fabricante da prancha olímpica RS:X, falhou gravemente no controle de qualidade do equipamento fornecido aos atletas para a participação nos Jogos de Londres. O desapontamento foi geral e para que não ficasse barato, a equipe brasileira encaminhou a seguinte carta para o juri dos Jogos:

""Weymouth, 6/8/2012

FROM: Brazilian Olympic Sailing Team

TO: International Jury

CC: ISAF Technical Delegates, Equipment Inspection Chairman

REPORT TO INTERNATIONAL JURY ON PROCEDURES FOR CHANGING RSX SUPPLIED EQUIPMENT

ABSTRACT: This reports shows a problem occurred during the 2012 Olympic Games regarding the procedures of changing supplied equipment. It is intended to improve this process in future sailing events and to alert the International Jury of possible abuse by some sailors in changing supplied equipment in order to achieve a better performance.

REPORT:

1.       During the practice period, the Brazilian windsurfer, Patricia Freitas, noted a lack of performance of the supplied equipment. The fin did not provide lift and it suffers from “spinout” problems.  She tried to change it, but it was denied by the EIC.

2.       After race 4, based on rumors that there where several sailors changing their equipment, Patricia Freitas asked again to change her equipment with just a superficial gelcoat crack not looking as severe damaged as required by EIR 3.5. The fin was changed.

3.       Surprised with the decision, the Brazilian Team requested during the morning meeting on 3^rd August that all equipment forms were to be published, as is common practice in many sailing events in order to investigate the rumors about equipment changes abuse from the competitors. The request was denied.

CONCLUSION:

4.       Despite the great effort in order to improve the quality, the equipment supplied varied in terms of performance.

5.       It is possible that the decision to replace equipment has been made without complying with EIR 3.5. This could have allowed some sailors to make several equipment changes at early stages of the regatta. Unfortunately, this could not be verified, as the requests for changing form were kept confidential. At no point, we are questioning the honesty of the person in charge of authorizing the changes of equipment. But the decision making process could have be affected by the pressure made by some sailors

6.       The differences on equipment and the lack of consistence in allowing changes in the equipment may had prejudiced the fairness of the windsurf competition.

REQUEST

Based on this report and the conclusion, the Brazilian Sailing Team requests:

7.       To reconsider the decision of not publishing the equipment change forms. If the intention is to avoid last minute protests, we request that total number of the fins and boards changed to be disclosed.

8.       That the supplied equipment procedures to be change for future events, adding practices to improve the transparency like public draw of equipment and that all changes requests and decisions to be published on the official notice of board.""


Muito bom, muito bonito, mas e aí? O que vai acontecer? Não sei, provavelmente nada, ou melhor, provavelmente a ISAF (International Sailing Association Federation) vai abafar o caso e daqui a quatro anos a mesma coisa vai acontecer. Parece novele não é? Triste.