South African-born freestyler Annette Cowley dropped off...

South African-born freestyler Annette Cowley dropped off Britain’s national swim team for the Olympic Games to avoid a Zola Budd-type controversy.

Budd and Cowley were left off Britian’s Commonwealth Games two years ago when other nations protested because of South Africa’s apartheid society. Budd returned to her homeland last week suffering from nervous exhaustion and facing a one year international ban.

“The whole Commonwealth Games fiasco just broke my spirit,” said Cowley, who attends the University of Texas. “I think it’s absolutely shameful the way Zola has been treated. I feel that she’s a wonderful athlete and it’s very sad.”