Swimmer146;s death: BASA set to introduce strict guidelines for long-distance swimming

Das died after a heart attack while competing in a swimming event at Chinsura. A very accomplished long-distance swimmer, who had participated in 24 national championships from the sub-junior level and won five golds, her death has left the entire swimming fraternity shell-shocked.

It is mandatory for the long-distance swimmers to fill up a medical form before every event. Das8217; medical form got the go-ahead from Dr Jadav Chatterjee. Also, Dr SP Chatterjee, who was appointed by the Bally Swimming Centre BSC said that the swimmer was medically fit. Her family members, however, reportedly said that the swimmer had a slight fever going into that competition. Das8217; dead body reached her Bally residence this evening. She is survived by her mother. The post mortem report is expected to reveal all.

Das8217; coach Surojit Ghosh, his brother Biswajit and the swimmers of that club believe it was an accident. The Bengal Amateur Swimming Association BASA, however, feels that this should be an eye-opener.

Said BASA secretary Ramanuj Mukherjee: 8220;We have three more long-distance swimming championships left this year. We want strict guidelines for those events. Appointment of qualified doctors and a foolproof medical check-up facility for the participants should be made mandatory.8221;

Meanwhile, BASA president Ramala Chakrabarty said that they would announce a compensation package for Das8217; family.