League of European Swimming (LEN) Congress Concludes in Brussels

By Steven Selthoffer

BRUSSELS, Belgium, October 1. THE Royal Belgian Swimming Federation recently hosted the League of European Swimming (LEN) Congress, Sept. 28-29 at the Hilton Hotel in Brussels, Belgium. Delegates from 51 nations were represented from all aspects of aquatic sports in Europe, including Iceland, Turkey, and Israel among the delegates attending.

Italy's Bartolo Consolo, LEN President, was on hand along with FINA President, Mustapha Larfaoui. Consolo, a seasoned sport executive with years of IOC, FINA and LEN experience, has done a good job of advancing the sport in Europe on a number of substantial issues and fronts, while simultaneously handling simmering tensions behind the scenes from some political factions among the members. United Nations Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon could learn a few lessons on finesse from Consolo. Sources inside LEN came forward to say that he has come under fire lately from his own Italian federation. However, the petty jealousies and in-fighting directed against Consolo, is distracting, and is not supported by the athletes, many in the media or other LEN federation members.

On the financial scene under Consolo, exceptional efforts were demonstrated by Luxembourg's Nory Kruchten, LEN Treasurer, and his finance and audit teams, attempted to bring harmony into some unresolved financial areas with several comments and motions on the floor during the Saturday morning session. The open communication, due diligence and hard efforts put in by the dedicated finance and audit teams under the Treasurer are to be commended.

Unlike Swimming Australia, USA Swimming or other nations, LEN is composed of 51 different nations representing Europe, making certain sport governance and federation issues more tenuous, by default, because of the large composition of the international political structure, requiring more time to harmonize and frame financial solutions to the satisfaction of all parties concerned.

However, all the athletes should be encouraged at the tremendous efforts demonstrated by the finance and audit teams from the podium and directly in front on the floor, to bring transparency, clarity and accountability with all the financial matters, large and small, in line and accomplished as efficiently and judiciously as possible.

Other issues were raised on the aquatic sports calendar for approval, and issues concerning nations desiring to host upcoming LEN aquatic events who feel their federation and "candidate city" were a better choice for the event than the one selected. The LEN Bureau and their members should take heart. Australia, the USA, and other countries wish they had problems like that, with nations boasting excellent venues and facilities such as France, Turkey and Italy, all wanting to host various aquatic sport events.

If there are going to be "problems," these are the kind you want. Such a healthy climate of open discussion on criteria for selection is good for the sport and the athletes. There is a sincere determination and effort by the LEN leadership to spread all the events around as evenly as possible among the various members. However, it's a win-win situation. Those who were disappointed today, can look to tomorrow and the future with optimism.

Perhaps, it time to consider, like with the National Basketball Association's thoughts about expanding to Canada and Europe, for USA and Swimming Australia to explore in concert with LEN, the possibility to hold some age-group swimming meets in Europe, possibly hosted by Turkey, Spain, or in The Netherlands. Due to the success of the Paris Open EDF this last summer, the athletes like competing against each other and having the time to get together. The possibility to give younger swimmers international exposure in Europe is appealing and good for the sport.

Other substantive issues were beginning to be addressed among LEN members regarding athlete's rights, video, technical issues, financing and other matters.

The next major LEN event will be the European Championships for swimming, diving and synchro, March 13-24, 2008 in Eindhoven, Netherlands.

For more information please see:
LEN European Aquatics
http://www.lenweb.org/main.php

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