The FINA Bureau met and approved a series of electoral milestones for the FINA Athletes’ Committee that will strengthen the athletes’ voice in aquatics sport.
The FINA Athletes’ Committee elections, set to be held during the 19th FINA World Championships in Budapest (HUN), will see FINA have a democratically elected Athletes’ Committee, comprised of both active and recently retired athletes.
The FINA Athletes’ Committee will continue to be represented in all six disciplines, with a member appointed to each of the FINA Technical Committees (diving, high diving, open water, swimming, artistic swimming and water polo).
“Today marks another exciting chapter in giving athletes a greater voice and influence on decisions within aquatics sport,” FINA President Husain Al-Musallam said. “Having athletes elected to the FINA Athletes’ Committee by their fellow athletes marks a significant step forward for athlete empowerment within the aquatics community.”
Following the Bureau’s announcement, FINA calls on its Member Federations to submit candidate athletes by 21 March 2022.
The FINA Ethics Panel will review candidatures by 21 April 2022, with the voting period running during the event.
The FINA Bureau will meet during the 19th FINA World Championships to approve Appointed Athletes and Honorary Members, with the announcement made at the event’s conclusion.
The FINA Athletes’ Committee is currently chaired by Penny Heyns. The two-time Olympic swimming champion from South Africa strongly supported the changes to both the election procedures.
“As the current FINA Athletes’ Committee Chair and long-time FINA Athletes’ Committee Member, I am delighted that FINA will hold its very first democratic Athletes’ Committee elections in Budapest,” Heyns said. “During my tenure, I have seen the Committee grow from strength to strength, specifically the past two terms with the introduction of democratic elections as well as seven votes in Congress. I believe the new FINA Athletes’ Committee will give athletes a greater voice, representative of the athletes’ voice, with the majority of members being either active athletes or recently retired athletes.”
Heyns also highlighted today’s announcement as a key milestone to ensure that the voice of the athlete is represented at all decision-making levels.
“Furthermore, under the new leadership of President Husain Al-Musallam, the organisation has taken a very athlete-centric approach and I believe the voice of the athletes will be heard and respected more than ever.”
Source: AIPS