All News

Lurz (GER) sets the pace in Cancun races

sarah@fina.org (Claudia Ruiz, FINA Press Correspondent in Mexico) — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 13:47:27 GMT

German open water swimming icon Thomas Lurz triumphed in two races in Cancun (MEX), the fourth leg of the FINA 10km Marathon Swimming World Cup and third stop of the FINA Open Water Swimming Grand Prix, taking place on April 24 and 26, respectively. Brazilian World champion (25km) Ana Marcela Cunha was the best among women in the first race while Jana Pechavona from Czech Republic took out the second.

Lurz powered home to win in 1h57m16s51 in the 10km race, closely followed by current World champion Spyridon Gianniotis from Greece, who finished in 1h57m16s55. Only a photo finish decided which one of them was the winner. Lurz was declared winner by a judges' decision. The Greek was victorious in the first three stages of the Series. Lurz' best result before Cancun was a second place in Eilat (ISR). Claiming third spot was Italy's Nicola Bolzonello, who clocked 1h57m16s56.

DWS 2012, Tijuana: China's Qin and British Daley clinch men's titles

sarah@fina.org (Claudia Ruiz, FINA Press Correspondent in Mexico) — Sun, 22 Apr 2012 08:48:27 GMT

Tijuana, MEXICO - A great night with China's Kai Qin sweeping the men's 3m springboard and Great Britain's Thomas Daley delivering an outstanding performance and taking gold in the men's 10m platform closed the successful meets of the FINA/Midea Diving World Series 2012. China did not take part in all events but still managed to earn five titles. Great Britain, the United States and Mexico shared the remaining titles in the two-day high-level competition.

On the final day, Kai Qin and Yutong Luo won the men’s 3m springboard synchro with 454.29 points. Britain, which presented a strong team ahead of their home Olympic Games this summer, was awarded the silver thanks to a fine performance by Christopher Mears and Nicholas Robinson-Baker (436.74 points). Ukraine took the bronze with Ilya Kvasha and Oleksiy Prygorov (432.81 points). Other countries on track for medals were the United States, Germany and Mexico.

DWS 2012, Tijuana: Espinosa (MEX) crowned in 10m platform

sarah@fina.org (Claudia Ruiz, FINA Press Correspondent in Mexico) — Sat, 21 Apr 2012 00:00:58 GMT

Tijuana, MEXICO - China, Mexico and the United States were the countries that dominated the first day of the FINA/Midea Diving World Series 2012, held at the Aquatic Complex High Performance Center in Tijuana from April 20-21.

As one of the best in the world and the Americas, home hero Paola Espinosa won in front of her crowd the gold medal in the women's 10m platform with a total 367.40 points.With the absence in the event of Olympic champion Ruolin Chen, who will only compete in the 10m platform synchro, Espinosa wove her own competition, carried the Mexican flag to the top and had the national anthem replayed.

DWS 2012: Tijuana to welcome the world's best divers for final showdown

sarah@fina.org (Claudia Ruiz, FINA Press Correspondent in Mexico) — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 08:14:48 GMT

TIJUANA, Mexico - The world's best divers are in the border city of Tijuana for the fourth and final leg of the FINA/Midea Diving World Series 2012, to be held at the High Performance Sports Center, in Baja California, Mexico, from April 20-21. The event brings together the best divers from twelve nations for the most important showdown ahead of the 2012 London Olympic Games: China, Canada, USA, Italy, Ukraine, Britain, Malaysia, Germany, France and Mexico to name a few.

The competition programme includes 3m springboard and 10m platform individual and synchro for women's and men's. The pool has been equipped with bleachers to welcome 2,200 people, which can be appreciated from any angle competencies in addition to the webcast and TV. In 2008, Tijuana already hosted a Series leg, which turned out to be a great success ahead of the 2008 Beijing Olympics, where home hero Paola Espinosa and duo partner Tatiana Ortiz earned the bronze in the 10m platform synchro event.

10th FINA World Swimming Officials Seminar concludes in Tokyo (JPN)

sarah@fina.org (Søren Korbo, FINA TSC Honorary Secretary) — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 10:03:14 GMT

A total of 105 participants from 58 member federations were present in Tokyo (JPN) from April 12-15 for the 10th FINA World Swimming Officials Seminar. The Members of the FINA Technical Swimming Committee - Chairman Carol Zaleski (USA), Vice Chairman Don Blew (AUS), Honorary Secretary Søren Korbo (DEN) and FINA Vice President and Bureau Liaison Dale Neuburger (USA) - led the four-day event, which was organised in cooperation with the Japan Swimming Federation.

Since the first time the Seminar was inaugurated in 1994, only officials appearing on FINA Swimming Officials Lists were invited to take part in the event. Consequently, each edition is always high level. The discussion groups were again an excellent way to share knowledge amongst the participants. The Technical Swimming Committee received fruitful proposals from the participants related to rule proposals for the next Technical Swimming Congress to be held in Barcelona (ESP) in 2013.

10th FINA World Swimming Officials Seminar to begin in Tokyo (JPN)

sarah@fina.org (Sarah C.) — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 13:45:29 GMT

The 10th FINA World Swimming Officials Seminar will welcome 111 participants from 58 member federations in Tokyo (JPN) from April 12-15, 2012. The Members of the FINA Technical Swimming Committee, Chairman Carol Zaleski (USA), Vice Chairman Don Blew (AUS), Honorary Secretary Soren Korbo (DEN) and FINA Vice President and Bureau Liaison Dale Neuburger (USA), will be leading the four-day event, which is organised in cooperation with the Japan Swimming Federation.

The Seminar's main objective is to provide a meeting opportunity for Swimming Officials from around the world to exchange knowledge and strengthen expertise in respect of both FINA Swimming Rules and practice at international competitions. The Seminar promises to be highly interactive with small groups discussions planned every day. A special session will be organised for those officiating at the 2012 London Olympic Games on the last day.

Promising performances at Japan's Junior Olympic Cup

sarah@fina.org (Shinji Higashijima, FINA Press Correspondent in Japan) — Sat, 31 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT

The 34th Junior Olympic Cup, a famous aquatics event organised by the Japanese Olympic Committee (JOC), concluded on a successful note at the Tokyo-Tatsumi International Swimming Center (T-TISC) on March 30, 2012 in Tokyo (JPN). The four-day competition gathered 3'638 junior swimmers (1'907 boys and 1'731 girls) from 887 clubs from all over Japan to compete in 25m events.

A new national record, five high school records, one junior high school record, two elementary school records and 19 meet records were set at the event. Among girls, Miki Uchida established a new national record in the 50m freestyle (24.58). She is a member of Itoman Swimming School Tatebayashi. Among boys, Yusuke Kudo broke the high school record in both the 50m and 100m backstroke, posting 23.97 and 51.70, respectively. The young talent swims at WaterMates Swim Club. Both Uchida and Kudo were designated Swimmer of the Cup. The Itoman Swimming School won the combined title of the Cup.

Brazil in top shape at South American Swimming Championships

sarah@fina.org (Guilherme Freitas, FINA Press Correspondent in Brazil) — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 14:59:23 GMT

Brazil won 72 medals at the South American Swimming Championships taking place in Belem (BRA) from March 11-25, 2012. The biennial aquatics championships bring together all nations from the CONSANAT, the South American Swimming Confederation tom compete in Swimming, Diving, Synchronised Swimming, Water Polo and Open Water Swimming.

Brazilians swimmers captured 51 medals (26 gold, 19 silver and six bronze medals). Home hero Cesar Cielo brought more gold to his name, winning five events and posting this season's best time in the 50m butterfly: 23s26.

FINA in mourning - Prof. Winton Arthur Hawksworth (RSA)

webassistant@fina.org (Delphine S.) — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 09:19:23 GMT

FINA announces with great sadness the loss of Prof. Winton Arthur Hawksworth (RSA), member of the FINA Doping Control Review Board (DCRB) since its creation in 1999. After a short illness, Prof. Hawksworth passed away on March 26, 2012. He is survived by his wife Pauline, his four children and five grandchildren.

In a message addressed to FINA, Dr. Andrew Pipe, Chairman of the DCRB, recalled a “wonderful friend and colleague, a superb scientist, and an educator who influenced the lives of thousands of students in South Africa and so many others who were touched by his generosity of spirit. His warmth and gentle good humour will be missed by all on the FINA DCRB and his many other friends in the FINA family”.

To his family and friends, FINA addresses its sincere condolences.

DWS 2012, Beijing: Daley cheers for day-high as China completes a sweep

press@fina.org (Zhou Xin, FINA Press Correspondent in China) — Sat, 24 Mar 2012 16:27:36 GMT

With a day-high score 103.60 points for his dive - a Forward 4.5 Somersault, Tuck - Britain's talent Thomas Daley was satisfied with a silver medal behind world champion Qiu Bo in the men's 10m platform. The Chinese divers got all eight gold medals on offer once more at the second meet of the FINA/Midea Diving World Series 2012 in Beijing (CHN).

Comparing to last year's 600 plus form, Qiu collected only five full marks and 566.50 points for the gold, after a mistake in his fourth dive (a Back 3.5 Somersault, Pike - with a poor 88.20, which came just after Daley's near-perfect dive. Daley finished with silver with a total 541.15 while teammate Peter Waterfield claimed third spot with a score of 531.80.