Despite competing in the 2012 Olympics and placing 12th in the women’s 100m butterfly event, Greek swimmer Kristel Vourna was surprised on July 6 to receive a formal invitation to the 2016 Games. She had only achieved the B-standard time, according Greek newspaper Kathimerini.
Eight days after that invitation came, however, FINA discovered it had made a mistake. Swimming’s governing body admitted to an administrative error and told Vourna she did not, in fact, qualify for the Games.
Then, in an effort to make up for the mistake, FINA offered Vourna an opportunity to attend the Olympics – as a spectator. She “angrily” turned down the offer and said she is an “athlete and not a tourist,” according to the report.
So the 24-year-old Vourna will not be in Rio. She could, however, make her second Olympic appearance in the 2020 Tokyo Games.
American Dana Vollmer is the defending Olympic champion in the women’s 100m butterfly, and will try to defend her title in Rio, this time as a mother.
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