FINA Ignoring Indiana, Michigan, Iowa Relay World Records

LAUSANNE, Switzerland, October 3. IT looks like the public relations play by Indiana University to claim eight new relay world records was all for naught according to Craig Lord of SwimVortex.

Lord reports today that FINA has confirmed to him that it plans on establishing “World Best” times as the first benchmark for new world records in the eight newly-recognized relay events.

“There will be the reference times to be improved in order to establish new World Records,” FINA told SwimVortex today. Swimming World has also heard back the same information from FINA.

This is a bit of a surprise, considering FINA Vice President Dale Neuburger and his son Eric were involved in putting together Indiana’s big Fall Frenzy relay push a week ago. Eric is the Associate Athletic Director for Facilities and External Alliances as Indiana, and worked hand-in-hand with head coach Ray Looze to make sure all swims were done in a fully certifiable manner, including drug tests and surveyors.

The involvement even went as far as making sure that Indiana had the latest world record certification request sheets that changed this year.

Indiana had initially announced that it set relay records in the mixed 400 free and medley relays in long course meters as well as the mixed 200 free and medley relays in short course meters. Additionally, IU had put up times in the men’s and women’s 200 free and medley relays in short course meters in an attempt to be the first world record setters.

Michigan and Iowa later laid claim to two of the short course world records at the Michigan Water Carnival. According to Lord, it was much ado about nothing.

SwimVortex article.

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