Meshack Motloung

Meshack Motloung

Substantial incentives from Telkom and the Federation of International Swimming Associations could not inspire swimmers to better world records during the Fina/Arena Swimming World Cup at the weekend.

Africa's communications giant was the first to promise local athletes a R25000 incentive should they break world records, and the international swimming organisation dangled a R100000 carrot to any swimmer who broke a world record.

The records were set to be bettered at the Kings Park Aquatic Centre in Durban on either Friday or Saturday.

Mary-Jane Goebel, Swimming SA general manager, said the incentives were fantastic for the athletes to up their game a bit.

But she was disappointed when nobody came close to breaking any record.

"The incentives were commendable, but it is unfortunate that neither the local nor the overseas athletes achieved that feat," she said.

However, the event that attracted an appreciative crowd was exciting from start to finish.