ROME, Italy, May 22. RIGHT around the time that the Japanese Swimming Federation revolted against the new FINA suit rules, the Italian Swimming Federation did the same.
News came out yesterday that Japan would ratify Ryosuke Irie's world record swim in the 200 back as a national record, regardless of FINA's position on the performance as a global standard. The swim took place in a suit that is not on FINA's approved list as of last week, and is in jeopardy of not being ratified by FINA. The end result could be a faster national record than what is on the books as the world record.
Meanwhile, Italy has rallied against the new FINA ruling according to a report by SwimNews.com. The world championship hosts have publicly stated that in a press release on their site that Italy's swimmers can wear suits not on the FINA approved list. Additionally, senior Italian federation official Paolo Barelli has called for the resignation of members of the FINA World Championships organizing committee.
The open disobedience could lead to a difficult situation where the host federation is not allowed to compete in its own world championships, as reported by SwimNews.com.
"Italy risks being suspended for actively breaking the rules of FINA," a FINA source told SwimNews.com. "If those who wish to stand for the highest office of FINA cannot find it within themselves to honour the FINA rule book, then they have no place in FINA."