{"id":494777,"date":"2022-01-02T04:00:24","date_gmt":"2022-01-02T11:00:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/?p=494777"},"modified":"2022-01-02T00:00:58","modified_gmt":"2022-01-02T07:00:58","slug":"swimming-world-january-2022-presents-a-voice-for-the-sport-change-is-afoot-for-fina-by-editor-in-chief-john-lohn","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/swimming-world-january-2022-presents-a-voice-for-the-sport-change-is-afoot-for-fina-by-editor-in-chief-john-lohn\/","title":{"rendered":"Swimming World January 2022 Presents – A Voice For The Sport: Change Is Afoot For FINA – By Editor-in-Chief John Lohn"},"content":{"rendered":"

The latest issue of Swimming World Magazine<\/em><\/span>
\nis now available for download in the<\/span> Swimming World Vault<\/span><\/strong><\/a>!<\/p>\n

Non-Subscribers Can Download This Issue Here<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

A Voice For The Sport: Change Is Afoot For FINA<\/span><\/h1>\n

By John Lohn<\/span><\/p>\n

It is not easy to ditch a shoddy reputation. Reversing public opinion takes time, whether it is an organization or individual that is seeking a fresh start\u2014and a renewed standing.
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

Trust must be rebuilt, often generated through decisions that contradict\u2014and remedy\u2014previous shortcomings and blunders. It is a process, not a finger-snap transition.<\/span><\/p>\n

Consider FINA on the path toward positive change.<\/span><\/p>\n

For years, the global governing body of aquatic sports has come under fire for a variety of miscues. A lack of transparency. Ignorance toward doping. A lack of appreciation for its inarguable centerpiece\u2014the athletes. <\/span><\/p>\n

The confluence of these errors led to significant mistrust in FINA, and the sense that nothing would change.<\/span><\/p>\n

A new era of leadership, though, has shifted doubt to optimism. With Husain Al-Musallam now serving as president, and Brent Nowicki installed as the organization\u2019s executive director, FINA has taken rapid and sizable steps toward repairing its reputation. How? Look no further than a pair of recent moves that supplied substance to the promises Al-Musallam carried into the first day of his presidency.<\/span><\/p>\n

In mid-November, FINA announced that Lothar Kipke, the chief doctor of the East German systematic-doping program, was immediately stripped of the Silver Pin honor (lifetime achievement) that the governing body bestowed on him in the 1980s. Although Kipke was convicted on more than 50 charges of causing bodily harm more than 20 years ago, it took until the Al-Musallam reign for Kipke to be rebuked for his role.<\/span><\/p>\n

The decision by FINA backed up Al-Musallam\u2019s promise to drop the hammer on those involved with doping\u2014in the past and present. While additional work remains, including the allocation of medals to athletes beaten by East Germans in Olympic competition (i.e., Shirley Babashoff and Enith Brigitha), the Kipke decision was a start.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThere is no place for doping in aquatics and certainly no place for individuals who have been found guilty of causing great damage to our sport, and cheating clean athletes of a fair chance,\u201d Al-Musallam said. \u201cFor a doctor to harm athletes in the search for medals is unacceptable, and I am proud that FINA has decided to send a clear message.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Just after FINA revealed its condemnation of Kipke, the organization announced a move that was beneficial to athletes participating in the third season of the International Swimming League. With some swimmers still requiring qualifying times for the World Short Course Championships, FINA stated it would recognize times produced during the ISL regular season in Naples and playoff matches held in Eindhoven.<\/span><\/p>\n

Via this move, FINA followed up on Al-Musallam\u2019s intent to be supportive of athletes. It was an indication that FINA, which was previously not supportive of the launch of the ISL, is placing athletes at the forefront of its decisions.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI came into this job forward-thinking. I can\u2019t waste time focused on what happened in the past,\u201d Nowicki said during an interview with Swimming World during the summer. \u201cAthletes who are concerned, they can contact me at any time. I made it clear my door is always open, and I mean that. Athletes are our first agenda, and we are doing everything for the betterment of our athletes.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

What does the future hold for FINA? Time will be the ultimate judge. The governing body, under the guidance of Al-Musallam and Nowicki, has vowed to enhance monetary awards, to continue to right historical wrongs and make athletes a top priority. These steps would surely transform the organization\u2019s reputation, and it is a positive development to see gains already being made.<\/span>
\nLet the process continue.<\/span><\/p>\n

John Lohn<\/span><\/strong>
\nEditor-in-Chief<\/span>
\nSwimming World Magazine<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Click here to download the full January issue of Swimming World Magazine, available now!<\/span><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Swimming<\/a>[Photo Courtesy: Robert Hanashiro \/ USA Today Sports]<\/p>\n

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FEATURES<\/p>\n

012<\/span> THE TOP 5 STORIES OF 2021<\/strong><\/span>
\nby David Rieder<\/strong>
\nWhile the pandemic and its massive effects on the sport were the lone top story of 2020, the action in the pool returned to center-stage in 2021. Unsurprisingly, the focus of the year\u2019s top stories centers on Tokyo, where the Olympics produced some amazing performances and historic results.<\/p>\n

016<\/span> 2021 ATHLETES OF THE YEAR<\/strong><\/span>
\nby Dan D\u2019Addona and Matthew De George<\/strong><\/p>\n