Aquatics Integrity Unit members elected, new gender inclusion policy adopted during the FINA Extraordinary Congress in Budapest

 

BUDAPEST (Hungary, 19 June 2022) – The FINA Extraordinary General Congress, held on the occasion of the 19th FINA Swimming World Championships in Budapest, today elected members to the Aquatics Integrity Unit and adopted a new athlete policy on gender inclusion.

The FINA Extraordinary General Congress voted to elect the inaugural members of the Aquatics Integrity Unit. The members will be seated into office on 1 January 2023, the date when the Unit will be fully operational.

A key item on the day’s agenda was also FINA’s policy on inclusion. A presentation was made by leading science, medical and legal experts who outlined their findings and proposals. These experts were joined by athletes Ms Cate Campbell and Ms Summer Sanders who shared their positions in support of the policy. The Congress then voted to adopt the changes to FINA’s policy on gender inclusion, which will enter into force on 20 June 2022.

Among the other key items on the agenda was an update on the FINA Reform Committee Report. FINA Reform Committee Member Maureen Croes provided a progress update and highlighted the work needed to further modernise the Federation, helping it better serve aquatics athletes.

During the Congress, International Testing Agency (ITA) Director General Benjamin Cohen, joined the FINA President on stage for a brief signing ceremony to mark the renewal of FINA’s partnership with the ITA through to the end of 2023. The partnership with the ITA, in addition to the Aquatics Integrity Unit, underlines FINA’s ongoing commitment to prioritising athlete welfare and ensuring clean aquatics competitions.

Following the signing ceremony, FINA announced the redistribution of medals won by the now-suspended Artem Lobuzov (RUS). FINA President Captain Husain Al-Musallam awarded the 4x200m bronze relay medal from the 12th FINA World Swimming Championships 2014 in Doha, Qatar to Brazil. Moreover, the 4x200m relay medals from the 13th FINA World Swimming Championships (25m) 2016 in Windsor, Canada, were awarded to the United States (gold), Japan (silver) and Australia (bronze).

Swimming Australia CEO Eugénie Buckley provided an update on the upcoming 16th FINA World Swimming Championships (25m) slated to take place in Melbourne, Australia, from 13-18 December 2022.

Download: Rights-Free Congress Images (credit: FINA)

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