In what is heating up to be a very contested election vote for the next FINA president, United States Aquatic Sports (USAS) has firmly placed their support for the re-election of Julio Maglione. Swimming World obtain the letter of endorsement dated June 19th in which Steve McFarland, President of USAS stated its support. USAS represents USA Swimming, USA Diving, United States Synchro Swimming, USA Water Polo and US Masters Swimming.
The election has drawn much controversy with Paolo Barelli making a strong pitch to unseat the FINA status quo. The American Swim Coaches Association (ASCA) and World Swim Coaches Association (WSCA) have supported Barelli’s platform without coming out with a full blown endorsement. With ASCA now at odds with governing bodies of the United States, the controversy is sure to continue. The election vote will take place in Budapest before the World Swimming Championships next month on July 22nd.
Text of USAS Endorsement Letter
To: Felix Calderon, President CCCAN
CC: Julio Maglione, President FINA, Dale Neuberger, Vice President FINA, Lisa Schott, President Aquatics Canada, Juan Carlos Orihuela, President CONSONAT
Date: June 19, 2017
RE: United States Aquatic Sports-FINA PositionDear Felix,
I would like to take this opportunity to restate the position of United States Aquatic Sports in regards to the forthcoming FINA Presidential election. USAS is composed of USA Swimming, USA Diving, United
States Synchro Swimming, USA Water Polo and US Masters Swimming. We are all solidly in support of Julio Maglione’s candidacy. This has been a constant position for us as we initially stood beside Mr.
Maglione in 2008 and again in 2013. It was at the 2015 Pan American Games Congress in Toronto that the United States submitted Mr. Maglione’s candidacy be endorsed by all the UANA Federations. It was a unanimous vote by all the Federations for approval to support Julio Maglione.
USAS sees no reason to change that position and we reaffirmed this in our meeting last month. Julio Maglione continues to lead FINA Aquatics to new heights. His advocacy for all the Aquatic Sports with the IOC is critical for all of our interests and we are hopeful for his success.
Again, thank you for your invitation and I hope to see you in Budapest.Best regards,
Steve McFarland
President, United States Aquatic Sports
Official Letterhead Image
