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The article has a comment section at the end of it.
http://www.coventrytelegraph.net/news/coventry-news/2009/11/03/europe...
http://tinyurl.com/ygfdnmq
Naturists from all over Europe will descend on Rugby this weekend
(for an international nude swimming gala.
The Ken Marriott Leisure Centre in Rugby will be the venue for teams
from the UK, France, Germany, Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland, Spain
and Italy to compete in this year’s International Naturist
Federation’s Swimming Gala.
The mixed-gender teams, ranging in age from ten to 60 plus, will
compete in individual and relay races over the weekend.
Organisers are hoping for more success for the British team, which was
crowned kings and queens of Europe at the International Naturist
Pétanque competition held in Germany in August.
Jim Russell, British Naturism’s sports officer, hopes the UK team can
make it a full set once again.
> 'Hope' is mostly what Jim has to rely on, as he could not raise a full
> team from the National Gala trials as hardly any young swimmers turned up.
> To avoid the PR disaster of not fielding a full team (again, as BN is
> always short of young people), he appealed to YBN, who are filling in for
> him. Trouble is, none of them have any kind of sports selection, and he
> only has their say so that hey can swim at all. traditionally the Germans
> and the Dutch field very strong youth teams and run off with all the
> prizes.
He said: “We’re delighted to be hosting the International Swimming
Gala once again and are looking forward to a hard-fought, yet fun
competition.
“To be representing Great Britain at an international sporting event
is something to be proud of and beyond the reach of all but a few UK
citizens.
“It’s also a great way to show our connections with the wider naturist
world and a chance to meet naturists from overseas and show them the
best that the UK has to offer.
“Participating naked in sporting activities – especially swimming – is
the most sensible and efficient way to do it.
“It also eradicates unfair advantages based solely on the clothing
chosen.”
Teams will be staying at the Britannia Hotel in Fairfax Street,
Coventry, throughout the competition.
Saturday evening will see the weekend come to an end with an awards
evening and a night of music and dance.
British Naturism was founded in 1964 and has about 12,000 members
across the UK, who have the use of 100 sun clubs and swim groups in
Britain.
> A more recent statement by Andrew Welch put the number at 11,400 -
> approximaitely half what it was 10 years ago, and over 30% down on when
> Andrew Welch took over the 'marketing of BN!
“The organisation’s main objectives are to raise the public profile of
naturism and campaign for more places to be made available for
naturism.
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