THE French swimming team were ordered to change the routine they intended to use in the Olympic Games - an interpretation of the Nazi Holocaust by the French Minister Sport, Guy Drut.

The Ministry issued a statement indicating that the French Swimming Federation

"had been given the necessary instructions ensuring that the swimming routine would contain no scenes alluding to that tragedy". National unease over the unusual choice of choreographic inspiration reached a peak when the French

Movement Against Racism (MRAP) pronounced it "an indecent aquatic ballet", saying it trivialised the deaths of millions.

The World Jewish Congress entered the debate, arguing the tragic period in history to be treated with great delicacy.

That followed an attack from Hendri Hajdenberg, president of CRIF, the body representing Jews in France.

"I think it shows a lack sensitivity and knowledge...

While staying calm, I think we have to understand that this not possible, that it's shocking and that it scandalises people," he said. "We must intervene to stop what could become a scandal."

The matter has come to a head only now, despite the team's giving the routine a trial run in March during the French championships at Amiens. There, a section of the audience reportedly responded badly, but the sport's lack of coverage ensured that wider reaction remained muted.

A report in the sports daily newspaper L'Equipe this week, however, has gave the affair new impetus, as well as high-lighting contradictions as to why the Holocaust subject was adopted.

Team coach Odele Petit who made the choice, said: "Our message is an appeal against racism."

Captain Marianne Aeschbacher, however, responded: "Not at all. I don't want to give a message or to campaign for any particular cause ... we are simply carrying out a choreography."

Federation president Francis Luyce, meanwhile, had argued that the choice could have helped the team's chances at the Olympics. He said: "Yes, we've taken a risk with our Olympic ballet but if we did not do it we would remain in fifth place in the world."

L'Equipe responded: "Does a higher place in the standings justify the use of such an overwhelming theme?" It asked: "What is one to think of young French women goose-stepping to the edge of the pool with German military music in the background? . . . Without doubt, you can only go so far before going beyond decency."