European Aquatics sets date of Energetics Seminar with World Aquatics to address Swimming Pool Closures and Restrictions

 

The European Aquatics Association LEN can confirm that after consultation with its member federations, a Webinar dedicated to the issue of pool closures and restrictions caused by the energetics crisis will take place on February 13th.

The Webinar will focus on the following topics:

•Lobbying/communication strategy from a European and National perspective to address the energy crisis.

•Collaboration with the European Platform for Sport Innovation (EPSI) to address funding options including Life programme/Horizon/Innovation Funds/EU Investment Bank.

•Ways to share knowledge and best practice amongst the LEN family.

“Across Europe, the lockdowns of the pandemic meant that tens of millions of children already missed the chance to learn to swim at a time in their lives when this would normally happen,” said European Aquatics (LEN) President António Silva. “We are now taking concrete actions and this Webinar is an important step forward. For too many communities, those closures have extended straight into a new period without access or with restricted access to swimming pools. Ours is a unique sport that can do more than improve lives – it can save them. Alongside World Aquatics, we are determined to help our member federations to generate the support that is needed to keep swimming pools open.”

The global sport governing body World Aquatics has also expressed its concern and in a press release today reaffirmed its support for the efforts of its Member Federations.

“World Aquatics is deeply proud of the way our sports bring together hundreds of millions of people every week, united by water in improving their health, living better lives and enjoying sport,” said World Aquatics President Husain Al-Musallam. “But these advantages can only be fully enjoyed when there is proper access to the right facilities.”

“We are concerned that in some places access is already being restricted – especially by swimming pool closures, reduced opening hours and big increases in entry prices. This negative impact goes far beyond the regular swimming pool users who are training for competition and is especially troubling when it affects the ability of young people to learn an essential life skill. Swimming pools represent a special opportunity for physical activity and sport, for the very young to the very old. These facilities are deserving of special support,” continued Al-Musallam.

In addition to supporting its member federations as they work to ensure access to existing swimming pools, World Aquatics and its partners remain committed to further improvements aimed at enhancing environmental stewardship. For example:

World Aquatics partner Myrtha Pools is working with ACOR Consultants in Sydney on an ongoing analysis and comparison of pool construction techniques and their impact on the environment. For Olympic size pools, Myrtha Pools products can reduce greenhouse gas emissions associated with water recirculation and filtration by as much as 45% over historical construction methods.

The Olympic Aquatic Centre, one of only two permanent sports venues being built for Paris 2024, has been designed entirely with sustainability in mind. With greatly-reduced energy requirements, it will feature a combined heat pump and filtration unit. Meanwhile, a 5,000 m2 solar installation on the roof will fully power the whole site. The building is being constructed of wood from FSC-certified European forests, and the interior design is based on recycled products made in France.