Open Water Swimming Coming Of Age
In the second issue of the new FINA Aquatics World Magazine, Paolo Barelli, the FINA Honorary Secretary and former world record holder, wrote an editorial on the progress in swimming and the open water.Paolo writes, “2010 will [showcase] the last FINA World Open Water Swimming Championships because long-distance swimmers have now the same opportunities to compete internationally at the highest level [at the World Championships and Olympics] as any other FINA athlete in pool swimming, water polo, synchronized swimming and diving.”
“Moreover, and considering the evolution of marathon swimming in the five continents, the FINA Bureau decided to launch a FINA World Junior Open Water Swimming Championships held each other year beginning in 2013.”Very importantly, Paolo, currently an Italian senator, continues, “We believe these changes in open water swimming definitively mark the coming of age of this discipline…which provide opportunities for those making the journey from junior to senior waters.”
The new FINA Aquatics World Magazine, an outstanding magazine that equally covers all aquatic disciplines including open water swimming, in a colorful, informative, entertaining way is yet another example of FINA’s strong commitment to the sport of open water swimming.
Copyright © 2010 by Steven Munatones
Southern California native, born 1962, is the creator of the WOWSA Awards, Oceans Seven, Openwaterpedia, Citrus Corps, World Open Water Swimming Association, Daily News of Open Water Swimming, Global Open Water Swimming Conference. He is Chief Executive Officer of KAATSU Global and KAATSU Research Institute. Inductee in the International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame (Honor Swimmer, Class of 2001) and Ice Swimming Hall of Fame (Honor Contributor - Media, Class of 2019), recipient of the International Swimming Hall of Fame's Poseidon Award (2016), International Swimming Hall of Fame's Irving Davids-Captain Roger Wheeler Memorial Award (2010), USA Swimming's Glen S. Hummer Award (2007, 2010) and Harvard University's John B. Imrie Award (1984). Served on the FINA Technical Open Water Swimming Committee and as Technical Delegate with the 2011 Special Olympics World Summer Games, and 9-time USA Swimming coaching staff. Note: WOWSA only recommends products or services used or recommended by the community. WOWSA does not receive compensation for links or products mentioned on this site or in blog posts. If it does, it will be indicated clearly on that specific post. See WOWSA's privacy policy for more information.
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