SWIMMING

The ban on playing water polo in municipal pools is, alas! still in place...

The City of Paris's Hygiene Department gave us an unpleasant surprise yesterday. After hinting to the Paris Committee that it would obtain authorization this morning to hold its water polo matches at the Hébert pool and Butte-aux-Cailles, Mr. Cazée's secretary told them yesterday that nothing had been done... The Seine Prefect has in his hands the report requesting additional explanations, and we don't know when the authorization will come... if it ever does.

It is regrettable that municipal services are acting so casually with a group that, we cannot stress enough, represents 39,000 individuals. As a result of this inspection, 37 teams will be unable to participate this morning...

Fortunately, the Stade des Tourelles is still being leased to the French National Football Federation (FFNS) this year, otherwise water polo and competitive swimming could also be banned there.

Let's hope that the upcoming municipal elections will bring to City Hall people capable of reforming the current practices. Athletes won't complain.