Bob Bowman Reacts to FINA World Cup Long Course Change

Photo Courtesy: Griffin Scott

Yesterday, FINA announced that the FINA World Cup would be contested in long course this upcoming year.

FINA President Dr. Julio Maglione stated explicitly that the change was made in the hope of adding “additional motivation for our swimmers.”

To translate that, what Maglione means is that while they love Katinka Hosszu and Chad le Clos being heavy hitters on the circuit each year, they really want to do whatever it takes to entice the likes of Michael Phelps, Ryan Lochte, Missy Franklin and Katie Ledecky to take part in the event.

While the change has not immediately met that goal just yet with Phelps not yet committing to any of the World Cups in 2015, it may have become a lot more likely based on his coach’s thoughts regarding the change.

“Having more long course competition in the Olympic year is very beneficial, and will make the World Cups more attractive to a wider population of swimmers,” Arizona State head coach Bob Bowman told Swimming World.

That may not be a full blown endorsement of the change from Bowman in the sense that Phelps could make an extended appearance on the 2015 tour. But, there certainly seems to be a lot better chance of seeing Phelps on the circuit this year.

Also during Swimming World‘s conversation with Bowman, he put to rest any of the talk about Phelps attending the FINA World Championships this summer. Phelps will be competing at the 2015 U.S. Nationals in San Antonio this summer. Period. Even though Cornel Marculescu has talked about making a special dispensation for Phelps, he will not be accepting that offer.

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aswimfan

8 years ago

I haven’t been to swimmingworld site -which was my old stomping ground lol- for quite a while now, and I like this new look.

And yes for the LCM world cup, although SCM races are fun to watch.