One day before the celebration of the FINA World Aquatics Gala – Soirée des Etoiles in Budapest (HUN), the first FINA Bureau meeting of the year took today place in Magyar capital. The highlights of the meeting were:

-    In order to fully comply with the “IOC Declaration on Good Governance in Sport”, FINA hires the company “Carrard Consulting SA”, with the objective to assess and review FINA corporate governance and, based on this assessment and review, to provide, if needed, recommendations for improving the corporate governance policies, processes and structures of FINA;

-    Appointment of two new Bureau Members in connection with the organisation of future World Championships (as per FINA Rule C 17.1.8) in 2019 Gwangju FINA World Championships and 2020 Abu Dhabi FINA World Swimming Championships, 25m. These new members, without voting right, are respectively Mr. Kee Heung Lee (KOR) and Mr. Ahmed Al Falasi (UAE);

-    In accordance with FINA Rule C 12.1.1, FINA temporarily suspended the Mexican Swimming Federation for not fulfilling contractual obligations concerning the cancellation of the 2017 FINA World Championships in Guadalajara;

-    Following the position expressed by open water swimmers and respective coaches, the Bureau decided to maintain the Open Water swimwear equipment rules unchanged until the conclusion of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. During this competition, FINA, together with the Rio 2016 Organising Committee will take all necessary measures to ensure the maximum possible levels of security and safety for all athletes in the men’s and women’s 10km races. Starting on September 2016, the following rules will apply for Open Water events, concerning low temperature of the water:
    - The lowest possible temperature of the water should remain at 16°C
    - Between 16°C and 18°C, wetsuits + bathing cap are mandatory
    - Between 18°C and 20°C, wetsuits are optional
    - Over 20°C, wetsuits are not allowed.

-    Following the loss of FINA Technical Diving Committee (TDC) member Mr. Edwin Chong (MAS), the Bureau nominated Mr. Akito Suehiro (JPN) as new TDC member;
 
-    The competition programme at the 2017 FINA World Masters Championships will include Diving Mixed Synchro events and Synchro Duet Mixed routines;
 
-    Following recent IOC policy on this matter, FINA adopted a set of rules concerning the “Prevention of the Manipulation of Competitions”, implementing the provision of article V.C.4 of the FINA Code of Ethics (related to betting and other corrupt practices);

-    The Bureau nominated Mr. Tamas Molnar (HUN) as new FINA Athletes Committee member;

-    The Bureau approved the award of FINA Gold Pin to: Mr. Tamas Gyarfas (HUN) and Dr. Mohie Wahid Farid (EGY);

-    The Bureau was updated on four important initiatives within FINA’s Development Programme:
    - FINA Athletes Scholarships Programme 2015-16
    - FINA Continental Championships Subsidy Programme
    - FINA Development Centre in Dakar (SEN)
    - FINA Coaches Certification Programme - a new project aimed at providing uniform criteria for the certification of coaches at FINA competitions;

-    A detailed report on the preparation status for the 2016 edition of the FINA World Swimming Championships (25m) was presented by the Organisers in Windsor (CAN). For the first time in history, the competition will have a six-day programme, from 6 to 11 December. The Windsor 2016 rendezvous will also include the FINA World Aquatics Convention, the FINA World Sports Medicine Congress, FINA Golden Swimming Coaches Clinic and the FINA World Aquatics Gala – Soirée des Etoiles.