PR10 - ‘Water is Our World’ will be the motto of the FINA Centenary

The first meeting of the FINA Bureau in 2008 took place in Lausanne (SUI) on February 7-8 and approved a Message (see attached) on ‘Water and Environmental protection’ within the frame of the celebration of the FINA Centenary in 2008.

This Message will be spread out to all the FINA 194 National Member Federations, clubs, athletes, officials, organisers, media and public at large throughout the year of 2008.
Other topics discussed by the FINA Bureau were as follows:

-    approval of the proposal for changes in the FINA Rules to be presented at the FINA Extraordinary Congress, to be held on April 8, 2008 in Manchester (GBR);

-    allocation of FINA competitions:

o    3rd FINA Synchronised Swimming World Trophy 2008 – Madrid (ESP, December 6-7)
o    4th FINA Synchronised Swimming World Trophy 2009 – Montreal (CAN, dates to be confirmed)
o    15th FINA Junior Men’s Water Polo World Championships 2009 – Split and Sibenik (CRO, August 22-30)
o    15th FINA Women’s Water Polo World Cup 2010 – Wellington (NZL, dates to be confirmed)
o    12th FINA Synchronised Swimming World Cup 2010 – Changshu (CHN, September 16-19)
o    18th FINA World Diving Junior Championships 2010 – Tucson (USA, September 2-6)
o    13th FINA World Masters Championships 2010 – Göteborg and Boras (SWE, July 28-August 7)

-    acknowledgement of the positive financial outcome of the 2007 FINA World Championships in Melbourne (AUS): the event brought a AUS$105 million impact to the local economy and allowed the creation of 660 jobs. Moreover, a new record of 219,317 spectators attended the championships, while the competition was seen by over a billion TV viewers worldwide;

-    encouraging reports were received from the organisers of the upcoming main championships, which will be successfully delivered according to high FINA standards: 9th FINA World Swimming Championships (25m) Manchester 2008 (April 9-13), 12th FINA World Masters Championships Perth 2008 (April 17-25), 5th FINA Open Water Swimming Championships Seville 2008 (May 3-8), 2nd FINA World Youth Swimming Championships Monterrey 2008 (July 8-13), 13th FINA World Championships Rome 2009 (July 19-August 2), 10th FINA World Swimming Championships Dubai 2010 (April 7-11), 14th FINA World Championships Shanghai 2011 (July 16-31);

-    presentation, by the Organising Committee (BOCOG), of the latest report concerning the preparation of the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing (CHN). In this regard, FINA praised the excellent work done so far by BOCOG and underlined the high quality of the venues where the FINA aquatic competitions will take place;

-    attribution of FINA awards:

o    FINA Prize – Mr. John Devitt (AUS)
o    FINA Gold Pin – Mr. Yury Zaytsev (RUS)
o    FINA Silver Pin – Dr David J. Hunt (GBR)
o    FINA Certificate of Merit – Mr. Alexandr Tudose (MDA), Mr. Grigoriy Bukakov (UZB) and Mr. Alexander Gnedovskiy (UZB)

To launch its Centenary Year 1908-2008, the members of the FINA Bureau wish to address the serious demand for the protection of water and the environment facing the world today

In 1908, on the occasion of the Olympic Games in London (GBR), when the delegates of eight countries decided to establish FINA, the quality, scarcity and the protection of water was not on the agenda.

One hundred years later, as we commence the year-long FINA Centenary Celebrations, and look forward to developing our Federation and our sports and paying tribute to all those involved both past and present, we wish to earnestly declare that FINA associates itself with all movements directed towards the preservation of the environment and the protection of water, an essential element of life on earth.

One hundred years later, we invite all 194 FINA Member Federations, their pool and open water swimmers, water polo players, divers, synchronised swimmers, officials, trainers and everyone involved, to repeat loud and clear the international message: Respect Water.

Water is a source of life, and for all water sports enthusiasts, water is a source of pleasure. Around the world, pollution, climate change and unsustainable human demand are putting the quantity and quality of water, a natural and essential element, in peril. There are many causes for this, including rapid growth of the world’s population, urbanisation, industrialisation, expanding technology, deforestation, intensive farming, and many more.

But water is already scarce in large areas of the planet, and this is a spreading problem. More than two billion people already live with less than what is basically required for a healthy life, according to the World Health Organisation, and many more struggle to obtain the three-to-five litres per person, per day, which is needed to sustain life.

Did you know that dirty water causes millions of deaths each year? Nearly 5,000 deaths per day in fact, according to a recent global water access report published by the United Nations. Safe drinking water remains a significant challenge, and the use of unsafe, contaminated water results in billions of cases of disease and infections each year, often among young children.

In this view, and with the support of FINA, all water sports enthusiasts should be forward-looking in the ecological battle for the preservation of nature. Responding to this situation is no longer a question of political opinion, but a vital necessity for our future on earth.

Many are aware of the water scarcity problem, but not enough have reacted. FINA therefore wishes that this message be repeated in all clubs and schools in an effort to spread awareness about these tragic circumstances.

So what concrete actions can be taken now?

Each and every one of us can multiply the daily water-saving actions we already take.

Our way of living can be modified in order to reduce our consumption of water.

There can be greater avoidance of water wastage.

We can support institutions conducting research and development on improved water management tools.

We can be enlightening, convincing and inventive about water conservation, and communicate this information to those around us.

All of us - as Members of the FINA family in every sense of the term - from elite -level competitors to those who swim for pleasure, as well as trainers, officials, families, friends, and even children, should strive to be role models everyday and everywhere.

No FINA organiser in any of the FINA disciplines should forget to take into account the reality of water and its value.

Being 100 years old comes with responsibility. FINA understands and assumes this responsibility and asks all of its Members to take pride in the declaration “Water is our world” and spread this important message.