Swimming South Africa has told members of its team selected for the World Aquatics Swimming Championships (25m) that they may have to contribute as much as R55,000 towards travel and accommodation.

The championships are scheduled to take place in Beijing from 1 to 6 December 2026. In a team notice sent on 28 October, the federation outlined different payment arrangements depending on whether athletes arrange their own international flights or ask Swimming South Africa to book them.

Athletes purchasing their own international tickets were given an estimated contribution of R37,000, covering accommodation and management costs. Those asking the federation to purchase their international flight tickets were told to budget for R55,000, which includes the flights, accommodation and management costs. The notice said the figures were estimates.

The payment deadlines are tight. Team members using the federation’s flight-booking option were required to pay a R40,000 deposit by 10 November, with the remaining R15,000 due by 25 November. Athletes who arranged their own international flights were required to pay the full accommodation costs by 10 November. The federation warned that athletes who failed to meet the applicable payment requirements could be withdrawn from the team.

The stated contribution does not cover every travel expense. Team members must apply for and pay for their own visas, while all swimmers are responsible for domestic flights to Johannesburg and travel insurance.

The report on the team announcement said the selected squad includes well-known South African swimmers, including Olympic champions Tatjana Smith and Chad le Clos. The costs have prompted questions about how national athletes are expected to finance participation in a major international competition, particularly when selection itself follows years of training and competition.

The payment requirement has also drawn attention to the risk that athletes could miss the championships because they cannot raise the required amount by the deadlines. The federation’s notice links payment to continued selection, rather than presenting the contribution as an optional expense.

Swimming South Africa had not provided further comment at the time of the report. The available information does not explain how the contribution amounts were calculated, whether financial assistance is available to athletes, or whether the federation expects the costs to be covered by swimmers’ families or other supporters.

The arrangement leaves selected athletes with a choice: organise international travel themselves and pay the lower estimated contribution, or use the federation’s booking option and meet the higher cost. In either case, visa, domestic travel and insurance expenses remain additional responsibilities.

Source Link