World Aquatics Under Scrutiny
The International Media ( mainline / social ) is being alerted to some damaging allegations relating to senior office bearers & their rather unwarranted involvements & activities. Some are as follows :
Hussain AL-Musallam : President of World Aquatics currently under criminal investigation for money laundering & fraud
Brent Nowicki : Executive Director of World Aquatics being pursued for criminal investigation involving corruption, including various violations related to an anti – doping case involving 23 Chinese swimmers
Dale Neuburger : Treasurer of World Aquatics engaged in large contracts with World Aquatics, a clear violation of ethical codes
+ possess to sanction the Mexican Federation for a single violation
+ conspiring with the National Olympic Committee in the Philippines to destabilize their National Federation, simply because they refuse to cooperate with unethical actions
+ continue to deny requests to develop aquatic sports in Central Africa to the detriment of the region
+ colluding with the National Olympic Committee of Haiti to destabilize their Aquatic Federation
members of the aquatic federations run the risk of being persecuted & made to pay the consequences for exercising their right to demand transparency & denounce unethical behaviour
An IOC facilitated & much appreciated as it was,World Aquatics held a well attended media conference at the Main Press Centre of Paris 2024. It was attended by Husain AL – Musalam : President of World Aquatics & Brent Novicki : Executive Director of World Aquatics. Invited to be at the Head Table were 08 Olympians in World Aquatics.
Chad Le Clos : South African Swimmer – Olympic Gold Medalist
Florian Wellbrock : German Swimmer – Open Water Gold Medalist in Tokyo. Aiming for Gold in the pool in Paris
Thomas Vernoux : French Waterpoloist
Jaqueline Simoneau : Canadian Synchronized / Artistic Swimmer 03rd Olympics – comeback after retirement as rules have changed / new system of judging has created a situation to allow a more level competitive opportunity, she said in answer to a question
Maggie Stefens : American Water Poloist. 03 times Olympic Gold Medalist. Most goals scored in Olympic Women’s Water Polo history
Tom Daley : English High Board Synchronized Diver. Gold Medalist in Tokyo. Comeback from taking a break. Flag Bearer of Team England at the Opening Ceremony.
Regen Smith : American Swimmer. Multi medal winner for Team USA in Tokyo
Caeleb Dressel : American Swimmer. Strong medal prospect for Team USA
James Pearce conducted the session smoothly. After the Athletes answered the questions from the media, the World Aquatics high rankers were made to answer the questions of a probing media. They maintained that the biggest International sport in the world was doing the best to provide equality in competitive participation. When asked if the Chinese swimmers were invited, they said that only those who were available were present at the occasion.The situation about the Chinese swimmers was raised repeatedly. it was then explained by the duo from World Aquatics at the Head Table that all competitors have been tested many times & are clean.The numbers revealed were over 3500. The education process about many challenging areas are being monitored by knowledgeable experts / technical personalities whose valued recommendations have been & will be implemented to gain the trust & goodwill of athletes at all times.
It was also stated that the Aquatic Facility has been the only one purpose built for Paris 2024 & many remarkable results are among the positives predicted for the week & a half of competition intense competition. The other concern expressed was the quality of the water of the Seine river, but that is now best resolved. The bigger concern is about a strong current in the river that would force an alternate venue / facility for open water events.
Haritha Perera in Paris, France courtesy of the National Olympic Committee of Sri Lanka