(ATR)Competition in the International Swimming Federation’s 12th World Swimming Championships (25m) is underway in Doha, Qatar.
"We are super satisfied with everything happening," FINA executive directorCornel Marculescu tells Around the Rings. "We have the highest participation we've had at a world swimming championships (25m) ever."
This year, FINA says over 900 swimmers from all continents will compete at the 12th World Swimming Championships (25m). Forty-sixevents (34 individual and 12 relays) are included on the competition program, for a total 138 medals.
Doha has been busy hosting events this month for FINA, having also hosted the federation’s third World Aquatics Convention Nov. 29-Dec. 1.
FINA officials say "over 40 industry leaders hosted top-level business meetings at booths" throughout the convention. During the three-day exhibition, FINA also held an Extraordinary Congress and a clinic for over 200 participating coaches.
Marculescu tells ATR the most significant item on the agenda for FINA's Extraordinary Congress was the adoption of a new doping code for athletes. According to Marculescu, the 86-page "2015 WADA Code" enforces parameters such as a four-year period of ineligibility for athletes accused of doping.
"The new WADA code reinforces the relationship and collaboration between our federation and the World Anti-Doping Assocation," Marculescu says.
FINA on Olympic Agenda 2020
This Sunday the IOC officially opens its Extraordinary Session in Monaco. The main item on the agenda for the session will be Olympic Agenda 2020.
Marculescu tells ATR that FINA fully supports the Olympic Agenda 2020 process and recommendations set forth by IOC President Thomas Bach.
Recommendations for Olympic Agenda 2020 represent the next giant steps to be taken in reforming the Olympic Movement. Proposed changes include establishing a more attractive bidding process for cities interested in hosting the Olympics and more flexibility for the Olympic Program.
Marculescu tells ATR thatFINA is specifically looking forward to exploring reforms for the bidding process for major sporting events. The discussion next week will be "very helpful to the [bidding] process in our future," Marculescu says.
Written byNicole Bennett
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