JOHANNESBURG, April 14 (Xinhua) -- South Africa's 2004 Olympic heroes, Lyndon Ferns, Darian Townsend and Roland Schoeman have been barred from the national swimming squad for failing to attend the national swimming championships being held in Durban this week.

The Star, a Johannesburg newspaper, reported on Saturday that the three, who are based in Arizona, the United States, said they cannot afford to fly home for competitions.

Swimming South Africa (SSA) confirmed that Schoeman will not be considered for the national swimming squad.

The exclusion will prevent him from competing in the next FINA World Cup to be launched in Durban in October, but will not prevent him from qualifying for the Beijing Olympics next year.

SSA president Jace Naidoo warned that the same ruling would apply to others that did not turn up to the Durban event.

Schoeman's mother, Geraldine, said her son could not afford the expenses to travel to South Africa for the nationals after a sponsor pulled out.

"The costs proved to be too much, we couldn't afford it," she said. She added that her son was upset about being excluded.

The three, plus Ryk Neethling, comprised the 4x100m freestyle relay team that won the gold medals at the Athens Olympics in 2004.