MISSION: REDUCE GLOBAL DROWNING RATES AND PROMOTE A HEALTHIER LIFESTYLE
Lausanne (SUI), May 20, 2014 - FINA organised on May 16, 2014 in Lausanne (SUI) a meeting with representatives of the IOC, United Nations Office on Sport for Development and Peace (UNOSDP), United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), World Health Organisation (WHO), UNESCO-CIGEPS, Peace and Sport, and members of the “FINA Swimming for All, Swimming for Life” Commission.
All the participants agreed that swimming in general, and “Learn to Swim” programmes in particular, are basic tools against drowning and are essential for the promotion of a healthier lifestyle. The number of annual casualties (372,000) due to drowning in the five continents is dramatic. Moreover, it is proven that physical inactivity is an independent risk factor for non-communicable diseases (NCD) and the 4th leading cause of deaths worldwide.
Through the “FINA Swimming for All, Swimming for Life” Programme, all Parties agreed to continue their efforts and to cooperate and encourage advocacy in pursuit of these objectives among their respective networks.
“We are very happy with this initiative and consider this programme an essential tool to promote Swimming, and its positive effects, in the five continents. FINA is committed to implement this project on a global scale and expresses its satisfaction for the valuable participation of all partners in this meeting”, stated FINA President Dr. Julio C. Maglione.