Interview with Giuliana Nicolosi water polo referee, researcher at a pharmaceutical company

“As for the vaccine, we are not very close”
Less than three months ago Giuliana Nicolosi whistled the women’s semifinal at the European Water Polo Championships in Budapest (Russia v Netherlands) and back then she didn’t think that the news coming from China on a new virus would hit our world so hard soon. While she is considered one of the best female referees around, today her focus is solely on the battle against the COVID-19 as she works for a huge pharmaceutical company’s research department.

When you were refereeing at the European Water Polo Championships in Budapest this January, the first news from China already hit the headlines. Did you think in those days that soon you and your colleagues would be involved to the battle against this virus?
No. We didn’t realize that the situation was so serious and we thought that Europe wouldn’t be affected as hard as it is now.

Can you describe your institution’s role in the ongoing researches?
I’m a member of the R&D Medical department of a big pharmaceutical industry company and as a doctor with a specialization in allergies and immunology, my job is to introduce new drugs to doctors for patients care and find new solutions.

We can say that today all eyes are on the medical personnel who try to help for the infected thousands – but every other day these eyes turn towards the researchers as we all hope you’ll find the solution. It means you’ll find a weapon to win the war against Covid19. What is your personal opinion: are we close to find that weapon?
Currently, there is a drug therapy to combat the symptoms but for the vaccine, we are not very close. Right now the only weapon that works is social distancing to allow hospitals not to collapse.

Researchers used to work in silence and calmness and come up with the results once they reached a fine conclusion. How does it feel to work under this kind of pressure that all the world is anxiously waiting that you find the solution miraculously? Though we all now that science is not about making miracles. So how does it feel to do the researching job as if all eyes follow every step you take in the labs?
You are right. Science is not founded to make miracles. Science work is about understanding how to resolve the problems. At this moment, expectations are very high, but we must take thoughtful steps to find a good solution for everyone.

We’ve learnt that the scientific community has never been so open and supportive to each other, all results and discoveries in relation to Covid19 are immediately shared on the web. Is it still the case? How much this openness and flow of the information eases your job?
Sharing data and experience is the most important thing. Medicine is not an exact science but now we must think about how to win this battle.

Do you think it is possible that different researchers will create different vaccines for example which can both be effective against the virus? Or usually, there is only one good solution?
There may be multiple solutions to solving the disease but what matters is the end result.

Can you describe your days and weeks? Is it a kind of constant progress or there are failed experiments which make your team a bit disappointed, then you’ll see positive results which then help to step forward?
Currently, I’m working from home and in constant contact with pulmonologist doctors to discuss and choose the right therapy for patients.

How is your body and soul? Do you have any time for just a short recharging or it’s a constant process?
I feel a little under stress but I know that working is the only thing to do. In my free time, I watched some games from the Budapest 2020 European Championships and some games from the earlier Olympics in order not to forget the dreams of all of us.

I guess you miss water polo – as we all do. Do you wait for the time to return to the pool deck?
My last WP game was on 7th of March without spectators and it was very strange. I really miss water polo and all the big family of water polo.

How do you see the future of water polo and sport after these troubled times?
Surely I think there will be a period of adjustment but we will return stronger and more united than before.
Press release from LEN, Images courtesy of Deepbluemedia

Are you looking for a tropical refuge and a spectacular open water swimming event? Then we have something for you! Ocean Swim Fiji, a World-Class Event on a breathtaking paradise full of islands and beaches, with the traditional Fijian hospitality. This is your dive for 2020. Start planning your trip to paradise today! Learn more:  http://francisswim.blogspot.com/2020/01/discover-magic-of-swimming-in-fiji.html

Pipefly gives you unforgettable tours and leisure experiences. If Portugal is your destination, then we are definitely “memory maker”. Pipefly will provide you with: Logistic support while you are training or competing in Cascais Region. Moments of relax, to you and your family, through different experiences, hiking in Natural Park, surf or sailing… Cultural tours for visiting this amazing region. For more information please contact us! Read More https://francisswim.blogspot.com/2019/12/swim-in-cascais-portugal.html

NIZport - Buy the best swimming products with the #nizportfrancis coupon and get 15% off on the official website http://adrianoniz.com/shop/ or in store: Street - Rua Varzim Sport Clube, 97 4490-588 Póvoa de Varzim – Portugal

Arena Swimwear is your shop for high tech, competitive swimwear, swimsuits, gear, and equipment. Take a look at our full catalogue inside www.arenawaterinstinct.com.br Buy with discount coupon #arenafrancis to get 12% off

Interview with water polo referees Marco Ercoli doctor in a hospital

Marco Ercoli: “During work, the fear disappears”
International water polo referee Marco Ercoli is one of those unnamed heroes who are battling in the front line in these terrible times. The Italian ref is working as a doctor in the Augusto Murri Hospital in the city of Ferro where all those scenes happen on a daily if not hourly basis we are hearing about in the news. That is one of the hardest-hit regions in the country and Marco and his colleagues are working around the clock to save lives. During a rare rest period, he was ready to answer our questions – and his honest answers might help to further understand how tough are the challenges the medical personnel face on the field.
At the end of the interview, you’ll find his Facebook post, a mind-blowing raw message why people should really take the lockdown measures pretty seriously.

As I imagine, in normal times doctors got used to strict rules and protocols – but as we see on TV, in Italian hospitals rules and protocols might no longer be valid since quite a while. How did it affect you that everything has been turned upside down?
We have always been used to being closely tied to protocols. Fortunately, this did not affect the clinical and professional capacity of each of us. Once we understood that the rules had changed, we immediately put in place alternative ideas and new protocols, which still change daily as the situation changes. It is difficult and tiring, but certainly rewarding from a professional point of view.

Have you ever imagined a situation similar to this? Have you been trained at least theoretically what to do when such a pandemic hits a country and have those trainings really prepared you for this?
Imagine? Unfortunately yes. Though the system was not exactly ready for all of this. I personally have USAR (urban search and rescue) training from the Italian civil protection authorities and I have a master’s degree in Medical Disaster Management. These skills have certainly helped me, even if the training for the emotional part can only be taken on the field.

Is there any difference between the challenges of each day? One is tougher than the other – or can we say that each is the toughest one you’ve ever experienced?
In this battle, each challenge is unique, because even in the same clinical situation patients have different histories. Each of them is a story that leaves a memory, unfortunately not always a nice one…

Have you been in a situation when you had to make a cruel decision? When your heart was almost broken? Or in these times a doctor simply cannot be too sensitive?
Fortunately, the decisions I had to make were always in line with my code of ethics. In some situations, where cruel decisions were required, the professionalism and ethics of colleagues from other departments allowed us to always choose the best for whom we were assisting.

We’ve learned in shock that at least a hundred medical personnel died from Covid19 in Italy. Do you work in fear or there is no room to worry when you are called on duty?
Obviously I’m worried, like all my colleagues. Especially for our loved ones at home, as we have the fears in our minds of being able to infect those we care about. But during work the fear disappears, while maintaining a high degree of attention we do not spare ourselves, this is our environment, we must remain concentrated professionals.

How is your body and soul? Do you have any time for just a short recharging or it’s a constant battle?
The time for a refill to the physical part is there, the constant battle is in the mind. It is very difficult to be able to rest the brain, but I try to do my best to recover mental energies by taking care of my family.

I guess you miss water polo – as we all do. Do you wait for the time to return to the pool deck?
The perception of time in these weeks is strange. Not having my weekly pool dispositions makes it even more surreal. After so many years it’s a very strange effect, I can’t wait to go back to whistling.

How do you see the future of water polo and sport after these troubled times?
Unfortunately, it is a question I can’t answer. It is the same that I do for everything else, from work to community life, what will change in our habits after all this? Usually from moments of crisis always great ideas come out, we hope our sport is one of those realities that take advantage of this break to bring out captivating proposals, otherwise, we will all suffer.

Marco’s Facebook post:
Hello, I present to you CoViD!… basically I understand you, I understand who continues to go out to do maybe just two steps ignoring the indications, after all you have never seen him, only told on TV by the commentator on duty who maybe calls him “little more than a flu “And then, if you feel like it, take two minutes to get to know him…I introduce you to him as Anna knew him (the name has obviously been changed), who arrives one night in an emergency room. Anna is a middle-aged lady, three children and 4 grandchildren, for a few days she had a little fever and if she was at home, then from today afternoon suddenly a very strong cough that almost no  longer lets her breathe, then the call to 118 and the transport to the PS. Come in and we welcome you immediately, as always … exams, plates, therapy, as always … Anna gets worse, does not respond to our attempts, the exams go wrong … sometimes it happens unfortunately, as always … but this is where our friend introduces himself, Mr. CoViD, and this is where what never happens happens … in these cases one of us immediately leaves the emergency room and rushes to the waiting room, where 1,2,4 family members eagerly awaiting news that we always try to provide quickly, especially when they are not encouraging … the other night we have not been able to do this … the hospital is isolated, ban on access to relatives in order not to transmit the virus … we recover a cell phone number and we try to say through a phone the news that nobody would ever want to receive: “his mother / wife / daughter is dying” … and on the other side silence … what else to expect? There are no eyes to look at to relieve the pain a bit, there are no hands to squeeze to feel closer, there is no embrace that only the presence in silence can give … and after this surreal call we return to Anna , and you don’t know how to explain to a lady who until last week prepared sweets surrounded by family members the reason for, as she says “nobody is here near me?” This is CoViD-19, or coronavirus, or whatever you want to call it, if you ask me if it is the worst disease I have seen I tell you, yes, and you know why, because it leaves you ALONE! If you are lucky, it will be a period in which in the hospital you will see only the eyes of the doctor or nurse behind the mask, otherwise you end up closed in a bag (because this is the disposition) and buried without anyone can see you anymore or greet you, not even for the last kiss. Now that I hope I have introduced you to it a little better, while some of us are forced to risk our skin every day and would like to be your place, I hope you think about it at least 3 times before going shopping every day, to take a walk with the dog or chat around the street …
STAY HOME !!!
I embrace you,
Marco
Press release from LEN, Images courtesy of Deepbluemedia

Are you looking for a tropical refuge and a spectacular open water swimming event? Then we have something for you! Ocean Swim Fiji, a World-Class Event on a breathtaking paradise full of islands and beaches, with the traditional Fijian hospitality. This is your dive for 2020. Start planning your trip to paradise today! Learn more:  http://francisswim.blogspot.com/2020/01/discover-magic-of-swimming-in-fiji.html

Pipefly gives you unforgettable tours and leisure experiences. If Portugal is your destination, then we are definitely “memory maker”. Pipefly will provide you with: Logistic support while you are training or competing in Cascais Region. Moments of relax, to you and your family, through different experiences, hiking in Natural Park, surf or sailing… Cultural tours for visiting this amazing region. For more information please contact us! Read More https://francisswim.blogspot.com/2019/12/swim-in-cascais-portugal.html

NIZport - Buy the best swimming products with the #nizportfrancis coupon and get 15% off on the official website http://adrianoniz.com/shop/ or in store: Street - Rua Varzim Sport Clube, 97 4490-588 Póvoa de Varzim – Portugal

Arena Swimwear is your shop for high tech, competitive swimwear, swimsuits, gear, and equipment. Take a look at our full catalogue inside www.arenawaterinstinct.com.br Buy with discount coupon #arenafrancis to get 12% off

USA Water Polo Revises 2020 Event Calendar Junior Olympics Postponed

Irvine, CA - April 10 - USA Water Polo announced today that it will reschedule the 2020 National Junior Olympics and the 2020 Masters National Championships. Several other events have been cancelled or postponed. The decision was reached after analysis of recent public health data and consultation with athletes, coaches, parents, and officials across the nation, as well as the US Olympic and Paralympic Committee, FINA, USAWP Zone and water polo club leadership. USA Water Polo sanctioned practices and events will continue to be suspended until further notice.
The 2020 Masters National Championship (originally June 12-14) will now be held August 21-23 in Orange County, CA. In addition, the 2020 USA Water Polo Hall of Fame Induction Luncheon originally scheduled for June 12, has been postponed until August 21.
The 2020 National Junior Olympics (originally July 18-26) will now be divided into two distinct sessions in partnership with local organizing committees from Stanford and Irvine. National Junior Olympics Session 1 featuring 10U, 12U and 14U competition for boys, girls and mixed divisions will take place November 21-24 at Stanford, California and the surrounding area. Session II featuring 16U/18U boys and girls will take place December 27-30 in Irvine, CA and the surrounding area.
USA Water Polo is in active discussions to clear participation eligibility for in-season high school athletes during Session II of the Junior Olympics; look for further updates. More detailed information regarding National Junior Olympics qualifications and registrations will be shared as it becomes available.
The Welcome to Texas Shootout originally scheduled for May 23-25 in San Antonio, Texas will now take place September 5-7.
The Olympic Development Program (ODP) Girls National Championship originally postponed until May 22-24 has been postponed until further notice. In addition, the ODP Boys and Girls NTSC events scheduled for the same weekend have also been postponed until further notice. More information regarding these events will be shared as soon as it can be confirmed.
The Clearwater Beach Challenge in Florida (May 16-17), Great Lakes Classic (June 27-28) in Michigan and the Golden State Invitational (July 10-12) in California are all postponed until further notice.
The Men’s & Women’s Senior Nationals set for July 10-12 in Irvine, CA is canceled and will not be rescheduled in 2020.
"That we can pivot in the face of this pandemic to reschedule the lion’s share of our 2020 programming is a tribute to our community working together during a very difficult time,” said Christopher Ramsey, USA Water Polo Chief Executive Officer. “In reformatting the calendar, our first priority has been the health and safety of players, coaches, officials, club administrators and families. We also wanted to ensure that we could secure outstanding venues and experienced officials. Finally, we wanted to be sensitive to club and scholastic calendars, since we are all in this together, and we wanted to do our best to fashion a revised program that would meet the needs of our USA Water Polo community.”

2020 Event Updates

Event	Original Schedule	New Schedule
Masters National Championships & Hall of Fame Induction Luncheon	June 12-14 Hall of Fame – June 12	August 21-23 Hall of Fame – August 21
Junior Olympics Session I	July 18-21 – Stanford CA	November 21-24 – Stanford, CA – 10U/12U/14U Boys & Girls & Mixed
Junior Olympics Session II	July 23-26 – Stanford CA	December 27-30 – Irvine, CA – 16U/18U Boys & Girls
Clearwater Beach Challenge	May 16-17	TBD
ODP Girls National Championship	May 22-24	TBD
ODP Girls NTSC	May 22-24	TBD
ODP Boys NTSC	May 22-24	TBD
Welcome To Texas Shootout	May 23-25	September 5-7
Great Lakes Classic	June 27-28	TBD
Golden State Invitational	July 10-12	TBD
Men’s & Women’s Senior Nationals	July 10-12	Canceled

About USA Water Polo
USA Water Polo, Inc., is the national governing body for water polo in America, overseeing our United States Olympic program as well as 20 championship events annually, such as Junior Olympics, Masters National Championships and the Division III Collegiate National Championship. With more than 50,000 members, USAWP also is the sanctioning authority for more than 500 Member Clubs and more than 400 tournaments nationwide. USAWP is committed to the development of the sport throughout the U.S. It fosters grass-roots expansion of the sport, providing a national system of affiliated clubs, certified coaches, and officials.
Greg Mescall

Are you looking for a tropical refuge and a spectacular open water swimming event? Then we have something for you! Ocean Swim Fiji, a World-Class Event on a breathtaking paradise full of islands and beaches, with the traditional Fijian hospitality. This is your dive for 2020. Start planning your trip to paradise today! Learn more:  http://francisswim.blogspot.com/2020/01/discover-magic-of-swimming-in-fiji.html

Pipefly gives you unforgettable tours and leisure experiences. If Portugal is your destination, then we are definitely “memory maker”. Pipefly will provide you with: Logistic support while you are training or competing in Cascais Region. Moments of relax, to you and your family, through different experiences, hiking in Natural Park, surf or sailing… Cultural tours for visiting this amazing region. For more information please contact us! Read More https://francisswim.blogspot.com/2019/12/swim-in-cascais-portugal.html

NIZport - Buy the best swimming products with the #nizportfrancis coupon and get 15% off on the official website http://adrianoniz.com/shop/ or in store: Street - Rua Varzim Sport Clube, 97 4490-588 Póvoa de Varzim – Portugal

Arena Swimwear is your shop for high tech, competitive swimwear, swimsuits, gear, and equipment. Take a look at our full catalogue inside www.arenawaterinstinct.com.br Buy with discount coupon #arenafrancis to get 12% off

Statement World Triathlon Executive Board meeting

The World Triathlon Executive Board met via teleconference this Thursday to evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 crisis on the organization, as well as follow up on the situation with events, athletes, coaches, officials and all the Triathlon family.
With all events of World Triathlon currently suspended until June 30, the Board reviewed the report of the Operational working group, which is working with the five Continental Confederations to agree on the calendar for resuming the events when the pandemic is over.
During the meeting, the Executive Board approved the general principles of the new Olympic and Paralympic qualification system, which were frozen when the pandemic struck the international races. The approved principles have now been sent to the International Olympic Committee and International Paralympic Committee for their approval. Once the new system is approved by both organizations, it will be immediately communicated to all athletes, coaches and National Federations.
The Board also approved the proposal of the Technical Committee to postpone the World Triathlon Rules review until the end of 2021, extend the validation year of all ITU certified officials for one more year and start with the new TO certification system in 2022 instead of 2021 as it was originally planned.
The Financial group is continuing to monitor the situation, analysing the impact that the COVID-19 pandemic is having on World Triathlon finances, while the Communication group reported on their meetings and updates in relation to events.
The Executive Board will meet again next week. The thoughts of the World Triathlon family are now with everyone impacted by the virus around the world, and we hope to see you all soon out there on the blue carpet in the near future.

Are you looking for a tropical refuge and a spectacular open water swimming event? Then we have something for you! Ocean Swim Fiji, a World-Class Event on a breathtaking paradise full of islands and beaches, with the traditional Fijian hospitality. This is your dive for 2020. Start planning your trip to paradise today! Learn more:  http://francisswim.blogspot.com/2020/01/discover-magic-of-swimming-in-fiji.html

Pipefly gives you unforgettable tours and leisure experiences. If Portugal is your destination, then we are definitely “memory maker”. Pipefly will provide you with: Logistic support while you are training or competing in Cascais Region. Moments of relax, to you and your family, through different experiences, hiking in Natural Park, surf or sailing… Cultural tours for visiting this amazing region. For more information please contact us! Read More https://francisswim.blogspot.com/2019/12/swim-in-cascais-portugal.html

NIZport - Buy the best swimming products with the #nizportfrancis coupon and get 15% off on the official website http://adrianoniz.com/shop/ or in store: Street - Rua Varzim Sport Clube, 97 4490-588 Póvoa de Varzim – Portugal

Arena Swimwear is your shop for high tech, competitive swimwear, swimsuits, gear, and equipment. Take a look at our full catalogue inside www.arenawaterinstinct.com.br Buy with discount coupon #arenafrancis to get 12% off

Our message to members Master Swimming Australia

Dear Masters Member,
Thank you for your continued support of our organization throughout this period.
We hope you are staying strong and resilient at this time; we understand the COVID-19 crisis will have long-term and far-reaching effects on all of us. We encourage you to stay in touch with your Club and coaches, keep in touch with your friends and family; together we can overcome the challenges that come our way.
The health and wellbeing of our members is our priority and the National Board of Management, Branch Presidents, Delegates and Administrators have been meeting (virtually) regularly to ensure we are providing information, resources, and updates to connect members, clubs, coaches and volunteers.
In the coming weeks, we will provide updates for the Masters Swimming community and create a resource page on the MSA website with relevant information and articles regarding COVID-19 as well as swimmer-focused dryland training and various workouts, both of which can be done at home. It is vital that we all keep in touch with each other in these very difficult times!
We will continue to provide communication via our social media pages so please follow us on Facebook and Instagram!
We wish all in our community a safe and happy Easter and holiday break, enjoy the time at home with your family and make the most of these unforeseen opportunities.
Best wishes
Sarah Pisterman
MSA General Manager

Are you looking for a tropical refuge and a spectacular open water swimming event? Then we have something for you! Ocean Swim Fiji, a World-Class Event on a breathtaking paradise full of islands and beaches, with the traditional Fijian hospitality. This is your dive for 2020. Start planning your trip to paradise today! Learn more:  http://francisswim.blogspot.com/2020/01/discover-magic-of-swimming-in-fiji.html

Pipefly gives you unforgettable tours and leisure experiences. If Portugal is your destination, then we are definitely “memory maker”. Pipefly will provide you with: Logistic support while you are training or competing in Cascais Region. Moments of relax, to you and your family, through different experiences, hiking in Natural Park, surf or sailing… Cultural tours for visiting this amazing region. For more information please contact us! Read More https://francisswim.blogspot.com/2019/12/swim-in-cascais-portugal.html

NIZport - Buy the best swimming products with the #nizportfrancis coupon and get 15% off on the official website http://adrianoniz.com/shop/ or in store: Street - Rua Varzim Sport Clube, 97 4490-588 Póvoa de Varzim – Portugal

Arena Swimwear is your shop for high tech, competitive swimwear, swimsuits, gear, and equipment. Take a look at our full catalogue inside www.arenawaterinstinct.com.br Buy with discount coupon #arenafrancis to get 12% off

Water Polo USA One Of America's Fastest Growing Sports

Irvine, CA – April 8, 2020 – The numbers don't lie: Water polo is one of America's fastest growing sports! For the first time in history, USA Water Polo—the national governing body for water polo—surpassed 50,000 members in 2019. The National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) again reported growth in boys' and girls' high school water polo nationwide while the state of Texas announced last fall the start of a University Interscholastic League-sanctioned high school pilot program that will trigger exponential growth in the Lone Star State. More than 10 new college programs have either commenced play or announced plans to begin play in the last 12 months. All this is coupled with continued success on the international scene for Team USA that has seen the USA Women's National Team win every major title in the last four years—including Gold Medals in the last two Olympic Games.
"Every year our vision for water polo in the United States comes into focus just a little bit more clearly, and 2019 was no different," said Christopher Ramsey, chief executive officer for USA Water Polo. "Thanks to a dedicated group of staff and volunteers plus a committed board of directors, we continue to achieve a key piece of our mission statement: growing the sport nationwide. Our work is nowhere near complete; we know that while this sport is on the rise, the ceiling for growth remains much higher. The excitement around our game will only grow with the Tokyo Olympic Games next year, and we look forward to introducing water polo to a new generation this summer."
USA Water Polo's membership has virtually doubled since the Beijing Games going from 26,873 in 2008 to north of 50,000 at the close of last year. Through an increased focus on additional play opportunities, the success of the Olympic Development Program, and new programs for children such as Splashball, the uptick in participation has been steady. At the high school level, boys' water polo participation has risen 8.8% from 2008-09 to 2018-2019 while girls' water polo participation has seen an 18% increase over that same time period according to the NFHS. Not realized in this data are high schools that compete in water polo at the club level. This includes the state of Texas where over 100 programs are already competing, and more are poised to come aboard following the recent approval by the UIL Legislative Council last October. Kern County in California's Central Valley also approved water polo as an CIF sport to begin play this fall while other states such as Washington, Georgia, Utah, and Tennessee continue to play water polo at a high level that's not recognized by their respective scholastic organizations.
College water polo has witnessed a promising renaissance as well. After years of reduction for both men's and women's programs, recent years have seen largely positive headlines regarding growth at all levels. The reinstatement of the San Jose State men's program after decades of inactivity was a jumping-off point for multiple programs. Long Island University in Brooklyn, New York, started their first season of women's water polo in February while Mount St. Mary's in Emmitsburg, Maryland, recently announced the start of men's and women's water polo programs slated for the 2020-21 school year. Austin College in Sherman, Texas, brought varsity water polo back to the state in 2018-19—the first time since the 1970s while Ottawa University in Arizona represents water polo's return to the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics.
The junior college and Division III level are expected to be even bigger drivers of growth in the future. Schools like Crafton Hills College and the College of Marin, both in California, have pledged new programs while Division III programs such as Austin and Millikin University in Illinois have spurred enough growth that USA Water Polo launched the first National Division III Collegiate Championship last fall for men's water polo. The inaugural women's event is set for next spring at the home of the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference champion.
"We've long had a motto at USA Water Polo of 'polo in every pool,' and each day we take a step closer to that goal," said John Abdou, USA Water Polo's chief high performance officer. "As a former college and high school coach, it is thrilling to see the game expand at those levels. As the head of our sport growth and national team programs, it is essential that we see water polo thrive across the country. We know there is an appetite for more water polo, and we are excited to do our part in raising the profile of our sport. Next summer many will get a chance to see water polo for the first time at the Tokyo Olympic Games, and we hope it encourages the continued growth of water polo in pools around the country and plants the seeds of water polo in communities where the game doesn't yet exist."
To learn more about USA Water Polo, please visit USAWaterPolo.org. To find a program in your area or to help launch the sport at a pool in your community, please contact membership@usawaterpolo.org or message USA Water Polo on social media @USAWP on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.

About USA Water Polo
USA Water Polo, Inc., is the national governing body for water polo in America, overseeing our United States Olympic program as well as 20 championship events annually, such as Junior Olympics and Masters National Championships. With more than 50,000 members, USAWP also is the sanctioning authority for more than 500 Member Clubs and more than 400 tournaments nationwide. USAWP is committed to the development of the sport throughout the U.S. It fosters grass-roots expansion of the sport, providing a national system of affiliated clubs, certified coaches, and officials.  

Greg Mescall
Director of Communications, USA Water Polo

Are you looking for a tropical refuge and a spectacular open water swimming event? Then we have something for you! Ocean Swim Fiji, a World-Class Event on a breathtaking paradise full of islands and beaches, with the traditional Fijian hospitality. This is your dive for 2020. Start planning your trip to paradise today! Learn more:  http://francisswim.blogspot.com/2020/01/discover-magic-of-swimming-in-fiji.html

Pipefly gives you unforgettable tours and leisure experiences. If Portugal is your destination, then we are definitely “memory maker”. Pipefly will provide you with: Logistic support while you are training or competing in Cascais Region. Moments of relax, to you and your family, through different experiences, hiking in Natural Park, surf or sailing… Cultural tours for visiting this amazing region. For more information please contact us! Read More https://francisswim.blogspot.com/2019/12/swim-in-cascais-portugal.html

NIZport - Buy the best swimming products with the #nizportfrancis coupon and get 15% off on the official website http://adrianoniz.com/shop/ or in store: Street - Rua Varzim Sport Clube, 97 4490-588 Póvoa de Varzim – Portugal

Arena Swimwear is your shop for high tech, competitive swimwear, swimsuits, gear, and equipment. Take a look at our full catalogue inside www.arenawaterinstinct.com.br Buy with discount coupon #arenafrancis to get 12% off

FLNS übernimmt Verantwortung und stellt Weichen für die neue Saison

Der Luxemburger Schwimmverband FLNS hat am Montag, den 6. April in einem offenen Brief an seine Vereine die Saison 2019 – 2020 für beendet erklärt und gleichzeitig die Weichen für einen sportlichen Neuanfang für die Saison 2020 – 2021 gestellt. 
„Im Bureau exécutive haben wir beschlossen, dass wir als Dachorganisation des Luxemburger Schwimmsports mit fast 3000 aktiven Schwimmern, Wasserballern, Synchronschwimmern und Wasserspringern gesellschaftliche und sportliche Verantwortung übernehmen und aus Rücksicht auf die Gesundheit unserer Mitglieder alle Veranstaltungen bis zum Saisonende am 31. Juli absagen“ gibt sich Präsident Marco Stacchiotti entschlossen. „In dieser aktuell schwierigen Lage, in der sich unser Land befindet, muss jeder dazu beitragen, dass die Verbreitung der Corona-Pandemie gestoppt wird. Wir respektieren und unterstützen damit die Maßnahmen der Regierung in vollem Umfang.“ 
Konkret werden die FLNS-Clinic am 16. Mai; die nationale Meisterschaft (3m) im Wasserspringen am 13. Juni; das Festival de l´Avenir im Schwimmen am 16. Juni; die Open Luxembourg Nationals im Schwimmen vom 11.-12. Juli; die interregionale Luxemburger Meisterschaft im Wasserball sowie die fünf-Kilometer-Meisterschaft im Freiwasserschwimmen am 18. Juli abgesagt. 
Gleichzeitig werden in der FLNS bereits die Weichen für die kommende Saison gestellt. „Der aktuelle Kader wird für die Saison 2020-2021 eingefroren, jeder Athlet behält seinen Kaderstatus. Diejenigen, die eine höhere Kadernorm geschafft haben, werden hochgestuft. Für unsere jüngsten Kader erkennen wir auch Zeiten auf der 25m-Bahn an“ gibt Christian Hansmann, Technische Direktor der FLNS, einen Einblick in die strategischen Entscheidungen des Verbandes. 
Auf administrativer Seite wurden die letzten Wochen intensiv genutzt. So konnte in konstruktiven Gesprächen mit dem Sportministerium das Leistungssportbudget für 2020 aufgestellt werden. Das LIHPS unterstützte durch wöchentliche Updates - zu seinen in Krisenzeiten verfügbaren Angeboten - unsere Elite-Athleten im Trainingsprozess. Ebenfalls stehen wir in engem Austausch mit dem Sportlycée zur Selektion von Neuaufnahmen für das Schuljahr 2020-2021 und dem Centre National Sportif et Culturel in der Vorbereitung auf ein durchgehendes Training in den Sommermonaten“ zeigt sich der Technische Direktor sehr zufrieden mit der transparenten Kommunikation der institutionellen Partner. 
Weitere Informationen auf der Webseite der FLNS >>> http://flns.lu/

Are you looking for a tropical refuge and a spectacular open water swimming event? Then we have something for you! Ocean Swim Fiji, a World-Class Event on a breathtaking paradise full of islands and beaches, with the traditional Fijian hospitality. This is your dive for 2020. Start planning your trip to paradise today! Learn more:  http://francisswim.blogspot.com/2020/01/discover-magic-of-swimming-in-fiji.html

Pipefly gives you unforgettable tours and leisure experiences. If Portugal is your destination, then we are definitely “memory maker”. Pipefly will provide you with: Logistic support while you are training or competing in Cascais Region. Moments of relax, to you and your family, through different experiences, hiking in Natural Park, surf or sailing… Cultural tours for visiting this amazing region. For more information please contact us! Read More https://francisswim.blogspot.com/2019/12/swim-in-cascais-portugal.html

NIZport - Buy the best swimming products with the #nizportfrancis coupon and get 15% off on the official website http://adrianoniz.com/shop/ or in store: Street - Rua Varzim Sport Clube, 97 4490-588 Póvoa de Varzim – Portugal

Arena Swimwear is your shop for high tech, competitive swimwear, swimsuits, gear, and equipment. Take a look at our full catalogue inside www.arenawaterinstinct.com.br Buy with discount coupon #arenafrancis to get 12% off