Smith in dispute over 400m freestyle

WHEN Michelle Smith rediscovered the 400 metres freestyle in. Pinecrest, Florida, last Sunday week and swam 4 minutes 8.64 the fastest time in the world for four years she immediately changed her plans for Atlanta `96.

But Ireland's top swimmer arrived in the Olympic city yesterday from Fort Lauderdale, her base in recent weeks, and was immediately plunged in to the middle of muddle involving FINA the OCI and the IASA.

After recording her time in Florida, which was 0.87 seconds faster than the previous best for 1996 set by Germany's Dagmar Hase, Dubliner Smith decided to withdraw from the 100 metres butterfly and opt instead for the 400 metres freestyle, an event she has ignored in recent years.

However, it transpired yesterday that Smith's entry for the freestyle "event was not accepted and after representations by Bobby Madine, the Irish swimming manager, and Shay McDonald, the Irish chef de mission, to the authorities yesterday, a final decision on whether or not to allow her compete in the event will be made today.

Smith is entered for the 400 metres individual medley, which takes place tomorrow, as well as the 200 metres butterfly, the 200 metres individual medley and the 100 metres butterfly the event she wished to withdraw from.

The whole affair is complicated with, it seems, the IASA the innocent party in it all. After receiving confirmation from Smith that she had recorded the time in a US Swimming Association sanctioned race, the IASA informed the OCI of Smith's request to change her entry.

Smith recorded that time on July 7th, and made the request to the IASA the following day. The OCI were then informed, but it appears that FINA rejected their approaches claiming that the deadline for times was July 5th.

A final resolution to the problem has been promised today, with the Irish representatives using all their might to rectify the situation. It is, however, an unfortunate position for Smith to find herself in. The swimming competition starts tomorrow when she will be chasing a medal in the 400 metres individual medley.

Before then Smith will know if she can attempt to claim the 400 metres freestyle title, an event which takes place on Monday.