FINA Ends Age Limits on Bureau Members; Ups Term Limit to 3

Photo Courtesy: FINA Kazan2015

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Against much opposition from the swimming community, the FINA Congress elected today to “suppress” age limits of 80 years of age on Bureau members as well as allow three specific members the ability to run for a third time.

The primary controversy in these moves centers around FINA President Julio Maglione. Maglione will be 81 years old at the end of his second term in 2017, and would be ineligible to continue in his role past that time. Maglione, who ran on a platform that age limits and term limits should matter, changed his mind when he was close to being limited and used his influence to change the rules.

FINA Press Release

Delegates from 139 FINA National Federations approved today by a large majority the proposals for changes in the FINA Constitution, with the occasion of the FINA Extraordinary Congress, held in Kazan (Tatarstan, Russia), one day before the start of the 16th FINA World Championships.

The new proposals favourably voted by the FINA family, and entering into effect immediately, include the following main changes:

– The creation of the position of First Vice President. After the approval of the Congress, Husain Al Mussallam (KUW) was elected as FINA First Vice President, with the main duty of representing FINA and conducting FINA meetings in the absence of the President;

– Any vacancy in the office of President shall be filled by the FINA First Vice President, until the Bureau decides, within 3 months, on the place and date of the Congress electing the new President ;

– Definition of the rights and duties for the President, First Vice President, Honorary Secretary and Executive Director;

– The President, First Vice President and Honorary Treasurer may be elected for a maximum of three full terms in the same post;

– Suppression of the maximum age limit of the elected Bureau members;

– The new composition of the FINA Executive, now comprised of eight members (until 2017): FINA President, First Vice President, FINA Honorary Secretary, FINA Honorary Treasurer, and four Vice Presidents. As of 2017 onwards, the FINA Executive will include: FINA President, First Vice President, FINA Honorary Treasurer, four Vice Presidents and one more member to be nominated by the President.

“The recent successes of FINA have always been made with your support throughout the years and successive Congresses. FINA firmly believes that Sport is the key for a better and peaceful world, highlighting the values of a healthier lifestyle, social inclusion and fair-play, in a spirit of friendship and respect”, considered the FINA President Dr. Julio C. Maglione. “I am happy that we all share these values and, united like a family, we work together to achieve our objectives”, concluded the FINA President.

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