Paolo Barelli, the lone challenger to longtime FINA President Julio Maglione for this summer’s elections, has continued to call out officials within FINA for abuses of power, according to a report from InsideTheGames.
Most recently, Barelli distributed a letter to the members of the European Swimming Federation (LEN), of which he is president, criticizing African and Asian federations for attempting to gain control “not only of political power…but even more importantly, over the economic one also.”
Note: Since this article was published, Barelli has contacted InsideTheGames to refute the above statement and has informed Swimming World of the false attribution in the following statement:
“I am aware you (Swimming World) have taken it from InsideTheGames (as you fairly reported) but I take the opportunity to strongly highlight that I never criticised any African Country or the entire continental organisation neither.It is an incorrect declaration and it does not correspond to the reality.” – Barelli dated July 6, 2017
Barelli has run for FINA President on a platform that Europe has been neglected. He has earned widespread support on that continent but minimal support elsewhere.
According to InsideTheGames, FINA has recently increased the number of African and Asian representatives on its Bureau while eliminating the position of Honorary Secretary traditionally held by a European — and currently held by Barelli.
Sam Ramsamy, the South African who is President of the African Swimming Federation (CANA), has been recommended to fill the position of Second Vice President of FINA, which would replace Barelli’s position. Ramsamy shot back at Barelli’s comments about Asian and African abuses of power.
After Ramsamy and other African representatives asked Barelli to withdraw his comments, Barelli criticized Ramsamy for his work in growing swimming in Africa.
“FINA needs to define clear criteria and give economic support to the developing Federations all around the globe,” Barelli wrote. “There are many Federations in Africa, just as there are others in the other Continental Organisations that could benefit immensely from significant economic support. This should have always been a top priority commitment for both you and FINA. Unfortunately, you have completely missed this opportunity.”
Ramsamy will represent FINA this week at a Court of Arbitration for Sport hearing this week. Barelli is challenging FINA on some topic, but the specific nature of the hearing is not yet known, according to InsideTheGames.
Read more from InsideTheGames by clicking here.