The same week that Cate Campbell vocalized her opinion of the direction FINA is headed, British world record holder Adam Peaty followed suit.
“It feels like we’re still in 1970,” Peaty told BBC Sport. “(FINA) need(s) to listen to the athletes and hear what they want instead of saying: ‘You need it this way.’ The whole sport needs to change and that’s something I’m very passionate about.”
Peaty was an outspoken supporter of the upstart International Swimming League (ISL), which was set to have its debut race in December. But that meet was cancelled as swimmers were threatened by FINA that competing in an unsanctioned event could lead to a suspension.
The ISL was seen as an alternative to swimmers who didn’t want to participate in the FINA World Cup Series.
“The current format isn’t working because no-one is watching and 90 percent of the world’s best athletes don’t turn up because there’s no prestige,” he told BBC Sport. “(The ISL) is where the sport needs to go and I think FINA should be behind it. Until then it’s going to be a constant battle between FINA and athletes.”
Campbell had similar thoughts on FINA this week.
Read the full BBC article here.
The athletes collectively must make their feelings & concerns known to the public & Fina and protest shut them down need be, if they don’t make the changes. There is no FINA without the athletes ✅
Article doesn’t mention any specifics. Did I miss something? What exactly needs to change?
right on Adam ! ( where are the American swimmers standing up to be heard on this issue? not one )
Richard Riopelle I saw Cody Miller’s vlog defending the new league of swimmers. Other than that I haven’t heard from anyone.
missed the Cody blog..thank you
what needs to change? world class swimmers make almost no money. FINA is trying to stop swimmers from organizing a World Swim League. USA swimming is the worst. For example, Katie Ledecky, the greatest swimmer in history, recently smashed her own world record at a big swim meet and took home $1000.00 for that effort. Really sad.
You swimmers need to change your characters before joining the sport. The sport has nothing to do with the athletes until they join it. Just remind yourselves of what your friend Ryan L. did to the Brazilian people. He is a disgrace to the sport.
Francisca Alencar I think you’re a little out of touch. Actually- Ryan is a pretty decent dude with a good heart who made a poor choice which happened to be made public. Don’t forget that a high percentage of these athletes are college aged. If you’ve ever interacted with any of these pro swimmers or Olympic level or world ranked athletes you’d come to know them as some of the hardest working and high character individuals you could want to meet who actually give a lot of their free time (including Ryan Lochte) back into their sport for very little in return.
What does Ryan Lochte’s mistake have to do with this article? And do you really think that’s representative of the swimming community as a whole?
Tim Anderson are we talking about the same Ryan Lochte? I don’t think so!
Francisca Alencar Ryan Lochte is a complete douche but he hasn’t and doesn’t represent all of USA swimming. I find it interesting you cherry pick and pick the career “mr 2nd place” as your example.