Special mid-week edition…
Hello Swimming Enthusiasts,
We thought we’d give you an update on how the world of swimming is
changing and how you can make your voice heard going forward.
Many of you are aware of FIFA – the world’s soccer organization – and
the fiduciary scandals that have ground that organization to nearly a halt. The
impact on the world soccer game is enormous.
Many of you are aware that FINA is our sport’s world governing body.
FINA has many similar issues to FIFA. The primary ones are lack of transparency
in decision making processes and an unwillingness to share financial records.
FINA has an approximate income of $45,000,000 – yup – 45M – annually.
This money comes from sale of TV rights plus sponsorship money. FINA
distributes approximately $2,000,000 to the athletes. The obvious question is,
where does the rest go? FINA is unwilling to share that information.
So, a group of well-respected swimming sport leaders and coaches have
agreed to begin a worldwide organization to represent the athletes and coaches
who actually earn the 45M. The WSA – World Swimming Association – has already
begun organizational efforts and recruitment of key personnel. Under the
proposed charter the United States will have 3 seats. Those 3 seats will be
occupied by George Block, current head of the World Swimming Coaches Assn, John
Leonard, the several decades Executive Director of the American Swimming
Coaches Assn, and Bob Bowman, the 2016 Men’s Olympic Coach (lifetime coach of
Michael Phelps).
It is the aim of the WSA to be athlete centric and fully transparent
with respect to decision making and all matters financial. It is time to give
the sport back to those who make it so compelling: THE ATHLETES. There are
discussions of a World Tour, similar to tennis and golf. The overwhelming
majority of the funds earned go to the athletes. Think Serena Williams.
If it works for her to play in the Olympics and take a crack at a medal then
sure, she’ll give it a go. But what is really important to her is Wimbledon;
the French, Australian and US Opens and all the other tour stops that pay big
money.
Golf and tennis are big time entertainment businesses, that happen to
use a sport as the delivery vehicle. The golfers have their tour – the PGA.
Swimmers will soon have their tour as well.
It is a long overdue change and it is happening now. Why? Follow the
money…pretty simple.
Please see the attached article and you can get a sense of how our sport
has changed. It changes regularly by the efforts of the coaches and athletes
who make it so compelling, so watchable. Need proof? Check the Olympic viewing
data. The general population wants to know what great feat Michael Phelps will
accomplish next. All girls swimming want to watch Katie Ledecky. She will
capture a lot of attention this summer…and so it goes.
Check out the article below to get a great appreciation for all
things swimming!
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