example-image
Connect with Us:  

Rome 2009 Awaits Audience With FINA Bureau

Jul 28, 2009  - Craig Lord

The FINA Bureau will make an announcement on suits at 5pm today, as planned, a note in the media centre tells us all this morning. Good news that FINA's new ruling body is sticking to its commitment after suggestions yesterday that it may have postponed the moment.

As I walked to the pool this morning, I passed a small Roman cafe in a side street not too far from the Foro Italico. An animated conversation drifted down the quiet street. Those in dialogue were Italians from the world of federation and suits. Perhaps the moment had come to deliver the bad news to Jaked that the Bureau has indeed made up its mind to back Congress. All those shiny suits would then be destined for the cut of the corporate cushion, along with cushions made from other brands of course.  

We have yet to hear from the Bureau and new FINA President Julio Maglione, of course, but just in case the Congress vote had escaped anyone's attention, here it is:

The question: Are you in favour of: 

"In swimming competitions the competitor must wear only one swimsuit in one or two pieces which for men shall not extend above the navel nor below the knee, and for women, shall not cover the neck, extend past the shoulder, nor shall extend below knee.  All swimsuits shall be made from textile materials."

The answers:

THE AYES:

Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes.

THE NAYS

No, No, No, No, No, No, No.

I guess that gives the Bureau its steer from the body of world swimming. The FINA Bureau must, of course, refine that rule. There is detail to be considered, such as no zippers, such as how far down the leg can short go, and, of course, that all important definition of "textile". FINA should avoid rushing to detail and setting things in stone now if it has not yet had time to consider issues carefully enough. But having seen some of the work of Prof Jan-Anders Manson, and having witnessed two days of a circus that has so far gone beyond the worst and best fears of observers on both sides of the debate, FINA must surely be reassured that what some are calling "extreme" measures and not extreme at all if the interests of swimmers and swimming are to be paramount.

As Gazzetta dello Sport headlines screams this morning: "Too Many World Records - Save The Sport Of Swimming!"