I was reading the Sao Paulo Declaration at
http://www.wamo.info
and the FINA response also linked to on that site.
What exactly is the justification for FINA GR 4, which prohibits participation by individuals and/or organizations in non-FINA-affliated organizations or events? The rule seems unreasonably broad in not limiting in any way what organizations one can not be affiliated with!
On the idealistic side, I find it somewhat offensive to have my rights of association so limited by a body like FINA. On the pragmatic side, FINA seems to have stacked the cards so much in its favor that it is hard to imagine fighting it.
Parents
Former Member
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.
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.
