did this really need to be omegaverse?

It did not, but does the omegaverse part have to take the spotlight in the stories? Can't it be a normal story and "oh btw, it's omegaverse"

I mean the main point was the uke stopping swimming cuz he's an omega yk
So yea if you wanna minus the omega verse from it you will need to re arrange the whole story, basically it will become a whole another new story

I understand the sentiment. But on the bright side this is one of the least degenerate Omegaverse works I've read. We should be GRATEFUL it's a/b/o so it can set a good example.

Fr like the omega verse ik wayyy more problematic than this
This can almost be called too pure tbh

How much of his omega-ness and not his shoulder injury play into this?

Yes but the first thing the seme asked the uke after reuniting is what is your second gender , which is kinda the main reason their convo kinda went on yk
And this manhwa being omegaverse also shows the uke's complexion towards his gender and how because of his looks and build everyone thinks of him to be a beta or an alpha, him not fitting into ppl's standard of how omegas are, builds up the uke's character more in my opinion

I don't doubt that since that is heavily presented here. But I was wondering how much of his presenting as an omega hampered his actual physical capability versus being "discovered to be an omega and via biases and discriminations against omegas is disqualified or banned or prevented or have many hoops to jump through" in order to keep on swimming competitively. It seems he is jaded by people's assumptions. But is being omega a hindrance to his physical aspect (performance) or because it is sexist.

All we really know is that he retired due to a shoulder injury. But it happens to coincide with he presenting as an omega so....

*his presenting