World Aquatics President Husain Al Musallam Re-Elected Unanimously; Headquarters Moving to Budapest

Captain Husain Al-Musallam of Kuwait, World Aquatics (FINA) president during the open ceremony of the FINA Swimming Short Course World Championships at the Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre in Melbourne, Australia, December 13th, 2022. Photo Giorgio Scala / Deepbluemedia / Insidefoto

Photo Courtesy: Giorgio Scala / Deepbluemedia / Insidefoto

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World Aquatics President Husain Al Musallam Reelected Unanimously; Headquarters Moving to Budapest

During the World Aquatics General Congress held Tuesday morning at the site of the World Championships in Fukuoka, Japan, two of the organization’s main officials were unanimously re-elected before the president announced some news and an update on key initiatives. Husain Al Musallam of Kuwait will continue as World Aquatics President after his initial election two years ago at the Short Course World Championships in Doha, while the United States’ Dale Neuburger will remain Treasurer.

After the votes were taken and national federations made those elections official, Al Musallam spoke about several initiatives important to the organization before making official the news that the World Aquatics headquarters will be relocating from Lausanne, Switzerland, to Budapest, Hungary. Several initiatives, including the Athletics Integrity Unit and World Aquatics Foundation, will remain headquartered in Lausanne.

“Moving our headquarters is not a decision that we take likely, but the new opportunities that it will give us and our athletes are very clear for everybody to see,” Al Musallam said. “The focus of the new headquarters will not be offices. It is all about our athletes, our current athletes and our future athletes. When you walk through the door of the new building, you will not see the president’s office. You will see water. You will see superb training facilities. You will see accommodations for your athletes.”

A video showed for the general audience at the Congress showed renderings of what the new headquarters will look like, complete with numerous training facilities for all aquatic sports. Al Musallam added that the facility will be a five-minute walk from the Duna Arena, host of the 2017 and 2022 World Championships and set to host the signature event again in 2027.

In his speech, Al Musallam lauded his organization’s efforts during his leadership, including an Aquatic Integrity Unit “that is totally independent and protected our athletes and sport. We have strengthened our anti-doping measures, expanding our partnership with the international testing agency.”

Al Musallam touched on the key controversy in international sports, the inclusion of Russian and Belarussian athletes in international competition during the ongoing invasion of Ukraine. The President discussed a committee set up to see about once again including some of those in aquatic sports impacted by the ban in World Aquatics events.

“World Aquatics has had a clear position since the start of the war. We have not invited athletes from Russia and Belarus to our competitions. In April, I asked and the bureau approved to appoint Ms. Maureen Croes to chair a task force that would look at the possible pathways for the athletes from Russia and Belarus to compete in our events,” Al Musallam said.

“Maureen and her team have been doing excellent work, and I thank them very much for that. They have been speaking to all our stakeholders and groups here in Fukuoka. They are running a survey asking athletes for their views. Many of you have already given your opinion and suggestion. If you have not spoken to the task force, I recommend that you do. It is important that they hear from as many people as possible. Later in the year, the task force will reach its conclusion, and then, of course, we will communicate to you all.”

Additionally, Al Musallam commented on the inclusion of transgender swimmers within the sport. World Aquatics had already severely limited the ability of transgender females to compete in women’s events, and Al Musallam notes in his speech that work continues on creating an Open category which would allow any trans athletes to participate.

“I announced last year that I would set up a committee to implement an Open category,” Al Musallam said. “The committee work is not finished. They are doing an excellent job, and I am very grateful for that. This is a very complex topic, but I am delighted to tell you today that we are now making a plan for the first trial of an Open category, and we hope to be able to confirm all the details soon. Our sport must be for everybody.”

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