{"id":460961,"date":"2021-02-02T11:56:57","date_gmt":"2021-02-02T18:56:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/?p=460961"},"modified":"2021-02-03T06:47:43","modified_gmt":"2021-02-03T13:47:43","slug":"matt-biondi-putting-international-swimmers-alliance-into-action","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/matt-biondi-putting-international-swimmers-alliance-into-action\/","title":{"rendered":"Matt Biondi Putting International Swimmers’ Alliance Into Action"},"content":{"rendered":"

Matt Biondi Putting International Swimmers’ Alliance Into Action<\/strong><\/p>\n

It was late November 2019 when Matt Biondi<\/strong>, American legend of the pool, appeared at the International Swimming League\u2019s<\/strong><\/a> European Derby in London. The 11-time Olympic medalist attended the meet in a business role, using the weekend to commiserate with some of the world\u2019s elite performers.<\/p>\n

He had just been named the Director of the International Swimmers\u2019 Alliance<\/strong>, a swimmer-dedicated organization charged with providing greater opportunities for those who make the sport go \u2013 the athletes. Nearly 30 years after the conclusion of his Hall of Fame career, one which was thwarted when it came to prospering off his aquatic skills, Biondi found himself with the opportunity to benefit those who came behind him.<\/p>\n

Now, 15 months later, the ISA is ready to take off, with the Alliance\u2019s first board meeting scheduled for the coming weeks. Like most areas of life, the COVID-19 pandemic caused delays, and Biondi needed time to speak with potential Alliance members. In a way, consider the timeframe since the London Derby a version of the meet referee asking athletes to step down from the blocks, before stepping up again.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe feel we\u2019re ready to build and start engaging organizers,\u201d Biondi said during a Sunday interview with Swimming World<\/em>. \u201cCOVID was a double-edged sword. There were a lot (of athletes) who were afraid to join out of fear of engaging in something that was political. And there was the delay of a year by the Olympic postponement. But I think COVID brought up the problems with transparency (of the IOC and FINA). There was skepticism among the athletes. Who were the (organizing bodies) in it for?\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\"Matt

Photo Courtesy: Matt Biondi<\/p><\/div>\n

Biondi ranks as one of the all-time greats in the sport, the highlight of his career a seven-medal haul (five gold) at the 1988 Olympic Games in Seoul<\/a>. But Biondi also had difficulties in his career, namely limited opportunities to cash in on his talents and what he provided the United States and USA Swimming in international competition.<\/p>\n

Instead of being supported and thanked for his contributions, Biondi was cast aside after emerging as a primary face of the sport and, more specifically, the Seoul Games. One tale that illustrates Biondi\u2019s left-behind scenario unfolded in Bonn, Germany. As he prepared to race and represent his sponsor, arena, Biondi received a fax from USA Swimming informing him that if he competed, he was risking his eligibility.<\/p>\n

Obviously, it was an unfair and insulting situation, since Biondi should have had the right to freely represent the brand of his choice and find respect for what he achieved in the pool while donning the Red, White and Blue. Making matters worse, Biondi watched Carl Lewis<\/strong>, winner of two golds and a silver in Seoul,\u00a0travel to Europe and compete in multiple track and field meets, along the way raking in prize money.<\/p>\n

So, it isn\u2019t shocking that Biondi is eager to provide greater opportunities to this current generation of athletes.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen this opportunity came along, it was curious,\u201d Biondi said of leading the ISA. \u201cI had the chance to contribute to an idea from 30 years ago that (Tom Jager<\/strong>) and I had started. It has given me the chance to travel to meets and professional hubs and explain the concept of the Alliance and its structure.\u201d<\/p>\n

As the ISA prepares to move forward, how is it shaped? Here are a few of the key components of the organization that Biondi maintains a passion for leading.<\/p>\n