World Aquatic Masters Organization (WAMO)

I posted my thoughts on FINA on this Forum many years ago with respect to FINA dragging their feet on the drug enforcement issue. I GOT crucified by many long time USMS members and seriously higher ups in USMS. I have always thought FINA was somewhat suspect in the decisions they made on the tough issues based solely on their lack of action on performance enhancing drugs ….back when EVERYONE knew state run programs were operating at full speed. My point, FINA is a politically run organization that defends itself through politics and intimidation.

Most organizations feel the need to at least be a little subtle while intimidating their own members while others do not. Apparently having "any kind of relationship" with any non-FINA affiliated organization is sufficient grounds for being suspended. FINA's response to WAMO: (from www.fina.org/.../masters_index.htm ) 28 October 2005 - WORLD AQUATICS MASTERS ORGANIZATION FINA has, through one of its Member Federations, received information about the “San Paulo Declaration” of 15th October 2005 directed to all Masters around the world and containing several false statements about FINA, its objectives and rights, and resulting in an invitation to constitute the World Aquatic Masters Organization, known by its acronym “WAMO”. In accordance with FINA Rule C 7.3 each FINA Member Federation has acknowledged in its national rules that FINA is the only recognized body in the world which governs Swimming, Open Water Swimming, Diving, Water Polo, Synchronised Swimming and Masters internationally. FINA Rule GR 4.1 – 4.4 require the following: GR 4.1 No affiliated Member shall have any kind of relationship with a non-affiliated or suspended body. GR 4.2 The exchange of competitors, administrators, directors, judges, officials, trainers, coaches, etc., with non-affiliated or suspended bodies is not permissible. GR 4.3 The holding of demonstrations and/or exhibitions, clinics, training, competitions, etc., with non-affiliated or suspended bodies is not permissible. GR 4.4 The Bureau may authorise relations with non-affiliated or suspended bodies as in Rules GR 4.1 through GR 4.3 above. The consequences of violating FINA Rules GR 4.1 – 4.4 are stated in the FINA Rule GR 4.5: Any individual or group violating this Rule shall be suspended by the affiliated Member for a minimum period of one year, up to a maximum period of two years. FINA retains the right to review the suspension made by the affiliated Member and to increase it up to the maximum of two years in accordance with the circumstances involved. The affiliated Member shall abide by any such increase made on review. In the event that such individual or group has resigned its membership with the affiliated Member or is not a Member, it shall not be allowed to affiliate with that Member for a minimum period of three months up to a maximum period of two years. FINA retains the right to review any such sanction imposed by the affiliated Member and to increase it up to the maximum of two years in accordance with the circumstances involved. The affiliated Member shall abide by any such increase made on review. It shall be noted, that FINA neither has any relationship nor any intention to recognize the World Aquatics Masters Organization or any organization under the name of LATyCAR, which means that FINA will apply the above mentioned rules to any Member Federation, Member of a Member Federation or individual member thereof having any relationship with this organization. We thank you for your kind attention and remain at your entire disposal for any questions you may have.

The really scary thing about this is that you lose your subscription to USMS Swimmer when FINA suspends you.

Gosh, many organizations do not defend themselves through politics & intimidation.....they do so by providing decent, professional and sound support to their membership. All one has to do to seriously look inside the mind set, attitude and ethical standards of this organization is read LindsayNB's post. I'd say FINA's colors are showing there in very open terms. Maybe I was one of those kids on the playground that never got into being bullied and intimidated by some moron tin horn....and that is exactly how I view FINA's stance on this issue. It was very clear to me years ago that FINA is going to do what serves their purse strings best...... If you bully and intimidate most swimming competitors into zero association with the competition, this is forcing them into submission through fear and threats. FINA makes it very clear, their sand box…..or NO SAND BOX!

Originally posted by Tom Ellison I posted my thoughts on FINA on this Forum many years ago with respect to FINA dragging their feet on the drug enforcement issue. I GOT crucified by many long time USMS members and seriously higher ups in USMS. I have always thought FINA was somewhat suspect in the decisions they made on the tough issues based solely on their lack of action on performance enhancing drugs ….back when EVERYONE knew state run programs were operating at full speed. My point, FINA is a politically run organization that defends itself through politics and intimidation. So Tom, what organization doesn't defend itself through politics 7 intimidation?

Back in the 80s & early 90s, UEFA & FIFA had terrible fights about sanctions. I think anytime there is an organization that exists to determine who has what poweres, there is always politics.

I think I'll send Fina the entry lists of all the people who competed in unsanctioned open water swims last year. Between the New York City swims, chesapeake bay swim, one or the other of the alcatraz swims, the Jersey shore beach swims, and innumerable swims in Autralia; they'll be taking throusands of us off of the membership rolls of our respective Masters swim organizations. Ridiculous you say? Yes it's ridiculous. The rule exists only for those situations in which someone get a burr up their ass and wants to screw with people.

Kevin, I never thought about my Alcatraz or Golden Gate Bridge swims that were not in accordance with FINA Rule C 7.3 that states each FINA Member Federation has acknowledged in its national rules that FINA is the only recognized body in the world which governs Swimming, Open Water Swimming, Diving, Water Polo, Synchronized Swimming and Masters internationally. Heck I swam those four swims under Envirosports Ltd.'s authority....and I was PROUD to swim under Dave Horning's governess for he puts on outstanding events that are well run and professionally organized. NEXT!

Well the first post asked a question and no one has answered. So maybe I will try. The FINA rule was not put in place because of masters. It was put in place long before FINA was interested in masters. To understand the rule, one has to look at where it comes from. The International Olympic Committee needs to have a single organization that it recognizes as the authority for each sport. Each of these authorities must truly control the sport world-wide otherwise there would be real mess with athletes not knowing who to believe. The way these organizations do this (and I believe that if you check similar Olympic sport organizations they will have similar rules) is to have a severe penalty for those that would support rival organizations. Having said that, history suggests that these types of organizations do not care about the local competitions that may be held like the open water swims. Organizations like the NCAA, YMCA are affiliated members of United States Aquatic Sports (USAS) and therefore are covered I believe. It is only when someone attempts to run an event that infringes on what FINA believes is their territory (like internation championships), do they get involved. Actually, I believe that most of the sanctions imposed by FINA have involved those who have violated the rules against contact with nations that were being sanctioned such as South Africa years ago. Very few if any athletes have been sanction this way because it doesn't come up very often. That is not to say that they won't do it in this case though. I hope this helps.

Originally posted by Tom Ellison Kevin, I never thought about my Alcatraz or Golden Gate Bridge swims that were not in accordance with FINA Rule C 7.3 that states each FINA Member Federation has acknowledged in its national rules that FINA is the only recognized body in the world which governs Swimming, Open Water Swimming, Diving, Water Polo, Synchronized Swimming and Masters internationally. By the rules both you and I should be thrown out of USMS.