Mexican swimmers spread out across North America (and they truly are) were elated today as they learned that two more were added to their Olympic roster with FINA “B” qualifying times.
The first is Erica Dittmer, who swims collegiately for Texas A&M but holds dual American and Mexican citizenship. Dittmer changed her sporting citizenship just within the last year from U.S. to Mexico, and made swift work of winning National Titles and crushing National Records.
She was invited on the strength of her 2:15.86 200 IM swum at last year’s USA Summer National Championship meet.
The other swimmer added will be Arturo Perez Vertti, who is entered in the 1500 free with his 15:24.58. He will join Christian Schurr to give Mexico a second male Olympic qualifier, and bring the total roster up to 7.
Notably, these two addition pushes the sport-wide Mexican Olympic Team above 100 athletes, as Dittmer and Vertti are numbers 100 and 101.
Full Mexican Roster
Christian Schurr – 200 breaststroke (2:12.81)
Arturo Perez Vertti – 1500 free (15:24.58)
Rita Medrano – 200 fly (2:10.15)
Lili Ibanez – 200 free (2:00.37)
Susana Escobar – 400 free (4:13.38)
Fernanda Gonzalez – 100/200 back, 200 IM
Erica Dittmer – 200 IM (2:15.86)
As having dual citizenship, US and Mexico, Erica legally can compete for any of both countries. And having met the time requirements of Federación Mexicana de Natación for her specialty. Welcome to Mexican Olympic Team.
Erica IS a citizen of Mexico, holding dual citizenship for Mexico and the United States. She has family living in Mexico and can righfully claim her spot on their Olympic team. My hat is off to this young woman who is dedicated to her sport, self-disciplined to train at this advanced level, and adventurous to represent her “other” country at the Olympics. Go, Erica!!!
So, this means that Erica couldn´t qualify in the US so she became a Mexican citizen to get a spot? Is that legal? Is that fair to Mexican citizens? I mean, she is clearly 100 american, I bet she doesn´t speak enough spanish. WTF is going on? She denied her country for a spot in the Olympics? Shame on you Erica!
Erica’s mother was born and raised in Mexico, and she is fluent in Spanish. Further, even if she had not swum, no other Mexicans were good enough to have been taken in her stead to London, so nobody’s spot was taken.
Go Erica!!!!!!!!!!!!1
Bueno?