Swimming Australia President Chris Fydler To Deny And Defend World Aquatics Integrity Unit Allegations
Newly appointed Swimming Australia president Chris Fydler (OAM) faces a fight for his administrative life following allegations made against the Olympic gold medalist by the World Aquatics Integrity Unit (AQIU).
Newspaper reports emerged in Sydney earlier today over Australia’s nomination for executives on the board of World Aquatics, which involves one of Fydler’s three-time Olympic teammates, SA board member Matt Dunn.
The Daily Telegraph reported it had heard multiple unconfirmed reports that the 2000 Olympic gold medalist faced a possible suspension pending an investigation by the Aquatics Integrity Unit (AQIU) saying that while the details around the complaint remain confidential, it is understood the dispute stems from Fydler’s decision to request a revote on SA’s support of Dunn’s nomination to the executive board of World Aquatics.
Australia and Oceania are currently represented on the World Aquatics executive board by Dunn, who is the sitting Second Vice-President and a former teammate of Fydler’s (at the Barcelona, Atlanta and Sydney Games) and sits on the Swimming Australia board.
Dunn is widely tipped to become the second Australian to lead the sport’s international federation if he retains his position – joining Bill Berge-Phillips who led FINA between 1964 and 1968.
The Telegraph reported that under the rules, Fydler’s request for a second vote was futile because Dunn already had the backing of other national federations in Oceania. Therefore, he remains eligible to stand for re-election at the July 29 vote in Singapore.
“It is considered a foregone conclusion that Dunn will secure another four-year term on the World Aquatics executive board, as he is widely tipped to become the federation’s next global leader when Husain Al Musallam steps down before the Brisbane 2032 Olympics,” the Telegraph reported.
“Fydler’s opposition to his nomination was referred to an independent investigatory body, that spoke to several people, before charging him with multiple code violations that are now being looked at. If found to have breached the rules, he could face a reprimand or even a suspension.”
Swimming Australia CEO Rob Woodhouse was quick to confirm the allegations made by World Aquatics Integrity Unit (AQIU) and said that Fydler would deny and defend them.Woodhouse confirmed that the Swimming Australia Board recently sought clarity on World Aquatics’ board nomination process in response to correspondence issued by Oceania Aquatics.
This led the Swimming Australia Board to not nominate a candidate for the World Aquatics Board.
It is this same process which is under review, and which is the subject of AQIU’s allegations.
Woodhouse said the Swimming Australia Board is in full support of Fydler, a qualified lawyer, who was awarded life membership of Swimming Australia in 2020. He has requested for the matter to be referred to the World Aquatics Adjudicatory Body.
Woodhouse said Swimming Australia had worked closely and extensively with World Aquatics in recent months to find a way forward with constitutional change underpinned by good governance.
“Given the pending hearing, we cannot comment any further but can confirm that Swimming Australia fully supports Chris (Fydler),” Woodhouse said.
Triple Olympian Fydler, who swam alongside Ian Thorpe, Michael Klim and Ashley Callus in Australia’s triumphant men’s 4x100m freestyle relay team at the Sydney Games, is now regarded as one of the most respected administrators in Australian sport.
Fydler had served as a board member of Swimming Australia from 2006-2010, and as a member of the FINA’s (World Aquatics) Disciplinary Panel from 2009-2017 and its Ethics Panel from 2018-2023.
In addition to serving as President of Swimming NSW, Fydler was Deputy Chef de Mission for the Australian Olympic team at the 2012 and 2016 Olympic Games and served on the Board of the NSW Institute of Sport from 2017-2023.Woodhouse said: “Chris’ leadership these past six months (at the helm of Swimming Australia) has been exceptional and he has been front and centre of our green and gold strategic review.
“We now turn our attention to the World Swimming Championships, the World Para Swimming Championships, World Junior Championships and maintaining our momentum as the most successful Olympic and Paralympic sport.”