Bengaluru
The swimming events at the ongoing Khelo India University Games (KIUG) in Jaipur were expected to showcase upcoming talent, but instead they drew criticism for the sub-standard conditions athletes faced. Leading the chorus of disapproval was India’s top backstroker and two-time Olympian, Srihari Nataraj, who described the competition environment as “freezing and unsafe.”
Srihari, representing Jain University, said swimmers were compelled to race in water temperatures as low as 17–18 degrees Celsius — far below the international standard of 25–28 degrees. “It was freezing,” the 24-year-old told. “Many swimmers, including me, had fingers turning blue. Some struggled to breathe. We don’t expect luxury, just basic conditions that don’t risk our health.”
Though the swimming complex at Jaipur’s SMS Stadium is an indoor venue, the main competition pool lacks a temperature-control system, causing the water to drop sharply during winter months. While the warm-up pool had heating, athletes had no such relief for their actual races.
Srihari also highlighted the absence of backstroke ledges, a mandatory starting aid in elite competitions. “We managed without them, but when basics aren’t taken care of, it feels unfair. I could have withdrawn, but I had a responsibility to my university. Still, swimmers deserve better.”
The KIUG is jointly organised by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Sports Authority of India (SAI), Association of Indian Universities, Indian Olympic Association and respective National Sports Federations. However, when asked about the issues, a SAI official at the venue said the body was only involved in funding, not operational planning.
Swimming Federation of India (SFI) general secretary Monal Chokshi clarified that infrastructure responsibility lay solely with the Rajasthan Sports Department. “We are not the organisers. We can’t refuse to conduct events because the venue is inadequate,” she said.
The complaints have renewed calls for stricter venue standards at India’s flagship university sporting event.