Editorial Coverage Sponsored By FINIS
FINA, the international governing body for the sport of swimming, has finally blasted meet organizers of the 2016 Rio Olympics over “what it says are substandard facilities and ‘disrespect’ for aquatic events” according to the Associated Press in an article in the USA Today.
In a letter sent out yesterday by FINA president Julio Maglione to Rio mayor Eduardo Paes, FINA railed against the lack of construction on the main pool area as well as on the health risks of the open water venue.
“The recent decisions of Mr. Eduardo Paes … are seriously damaging the image and value of FINA and its disciplines,” the letter states according to the AP. “This situation is in clear disrespect for the FINA requirements concerning aquatic venues, and will negatively affect the safety conditions and the level of performances of our athletes.”
Also according to the AP:
Four-time Olympic swimming champion Alexander Popov is quoted in the letter as saying that swimming conditions in Rio would be “a step back in relation to previous editions” of the Olympics.
FINA is truly upset because of the cut in spectator seats in the new design of the Olympic Aquatics Stadium, which will now only seat up to 13,000 people instead of the 17,500 at the previous Olympics. That’s a huge hit financially with that many tickets sold now being off the table.
“Therefore, the main venue of the leading sport from the Olympic movement … is diminished in terms of importance and value,” the letter states.
“Providing less available space for TV, media, athletes and spectators, this will naturally have its negative impact in terms of the coverage of the Olympic competition and in terms of working conditions for all those using the venue.”
The letter also demands Rio do more thorough testing of the health issues at the open water venus at Copacabana beach. This, after a five-month independent study by the AP demonstrated unhealthy levels of viruses in the locale.
The Associated Press also states that Vladimir Salnikov has joined the shots fired at Rio.
FINA’s criticisms attracted support from Vladimir Salnikov, the influential head of Russia’s swimming federation, who said “these problems have to be solved on time” and that earlier recommendations from FINA “obviously haven’t been listened to,” in comments Wednesday to Russian agency R-Sport.
Swimming World has been pressing this issue since February of 2014 with a number of articles concerning the hazards.
- OFFICIAL SITE FOR RIO
- RIO COMPETITION SCHEDULE
- WHERE TO WATCH LIVE VIDEO OF OLYMPICS
- USA MEN'S SWIMMING TEAM
- USA WOMEN'S SWIMMING TEAM
- USA DIVERS GOING TO RIO
- USA WOMEN WATER POLO TEAM
- SWIMMING MEDAL PREDICTIONS
- FULL DAY 1 RESULTS
- FULL DAY 2 RESULTS
- FULL DAY 3 RESULTS
- FULL DAY 4 RESULTS
- FULL DAY 5 RESULTS
- FULL DAY 6 RESULTS
- FULL DAY 7 RESULTS
- FULL DAY 8 RESULTS
- WOMEN'S 10K OPEN WATER RESULTS
- MEN'S 10K OPEN WATER RESULTS
- FULL OLYMPIC SWIMMING RESULTS
Aqui voy hasta llegar a la meta
Not too late for a venue change.
Copacabana has no health hazard. We swim many open water events there, no one has had any problems.
Oh, this pic with the fish is NO WAY in Copacabana. Stop manipulating….
Took them long enough! And I love how FINA lists those impacted: TV, media, athletes, spectators. You would think the priority should be athletes first, then spectators, media, TV.
No, FINA meant TV first: hence the late-night start for swimming finals.
Copacabana has no health hazard. We swim many open water events there, no one has had any problems. I read prejudice here…
Prejudice when there is SCIENTIFIC fact to back it up? This is NOT a matter of skin-color race, but a swimming race where our, your country’s, and everyone else has the same right to remain healthy upon competing at the site
I say again, there is no evidence that Copacabana beach is unsafe for swimming. Manipulating information is not science. Open water is to be in Copacabana. We have open water races there every time. Go check your “facts”. I would not swim there if it wasn’t safe. I am not stupid.
Oh… And prejudice is not only about color… So you know.
Trying to stay relevant. Go FINA.
Someone just dropped the race card
Dude, prejudice is not about color only. But why do I even care….
Yeah, they seriously take their time…
Just now they realize! Ha
Hopefully not too little-too late. Why not relocate all water events. Protect the athletes, IOC
Open sewers, open sewage, poor surface water quality, and unhealthy conditions for recreational activities, competition, and use is not the best for athletes, for the residents, and international visitors. If Rio de Janeiro can’t clean up their filthy environment by July 2016, then rowing, open water swimming, and get rid of the hillside shanty folks.
Erin Condon Allison Retotar
???
grasping at straws -__-
Regardless of if people swim there regularly and don’t get ill legal liability will be judged on the out comes of independent water testing. If you let us here in London know by June I’m sure we could act as an alternative venue in time!
They are a little late to the party. Better late than never, I suppose.