FINA reforms: World swimming’s top executives promise to reform after being shamed over spending in explosive report

After a News Corp investigation exposed FINA’s most shameful secrets, the swimming world governing body has agreed to major reforms that will change the sport forever.

Global swimming executives have been warned their days of living the high life are over after the sport’s world governing body announced it had finally agreed to consider major reforms.

It took a special two-year investigation by News Corp that exposed FINA’s most shameful secrets, but the sport’s controversial, newly-elected president Husain Al-Musallam has promised overdue changes are coming that will change the sport for the better.

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These include the surprise appointment of a top American sports lawyer as FINA’s new executive director, the creation of a new reform committee and a pledge to transfer more of the sport’s fortune to cash-strapped competitors by slashing the eye-watering perks given to executives.

“In order to do this, we need to reduce expenditure,” Al-Musallam said.

“All people in FINA administration need to play our part, I plan to reduce per diems for Bureau members by half.”

Captain Mr. Husain Al-Musallam of Kuwait is the new FINA President #FINApic.twitter.com/3NvGJJQQY6

— FINA (@fina1908) June 5, 2021

It’s the worst kept secret in the Olympics that FINA executives live like royalty while many swimmers struggle to make ends meet, but it wasn’t until News Corp’s bombshell report that the full extent of their lavish lifestyles became known to the public.

The ‘FINA Family’ expense bill for the 2017 world championship in Budapest alone topped $9.5 million – covering business class flights, 5-star accommodation, as well as meals, gift bags and daily allowances starting at $650 for executives.

There’s no suggestion that FINA members, including Australia’s representative Matt Dunn, have broken any rules but critics argue the generous perks discourage members from questioning the ringleaders, including Al-Musallam himself.

According to the London Times, the former Kuwaiti airline pilot has been cited by the US Department of Justice as a co-conspirator in a FIFA bribe scandal.

He was never charged over the matter and denies any wrongdoing and FINA’s ethics committee has already declared he has no case to answer.

Australia’s FINA representative, Matt Dunn.

Unchallenged, Al-Musallam was elected to the FINA presidency for a four-year term, replacing Julio Maglione, the 85-year-old Uruguayan who finally stood down this year after changing the age-limits so he could remain in power longer than he was allowed.

South African Sam Ramsamy was elected first vice-president, with Dunn promoted to second vice-president – effectively making him third in charge.

For the first time, China was given a seat on the executive board with 1984 Olympic diving gold medallist Zhou Jihong appointed as the only female vice president.

Al-Musallam also announced that Brent Nowicki will take over as FINA’s new executive director, replacing Cornel Marculescu, the ex-Romanian secret service policeman who recently quit after 35 years at the helm.

Nowicki’s unexpected appointment is the clearest sign that FINA might be serious about reforming as the American is highly respected in the sports world, having worked for years with the Court of Arbitration for Sport and served as the head of the CAS Anti-Doping Division at the Rio 2016 and PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Games.

Aussie Mack Horton competing at the 2017 FINA World Championships in Budapest – at which the FINA administration racked up $9.5 million in expenses. Picture: AFP/François-Xavier Marit

In addition, Al-Musallam also announced that a new reform committee, including Australian lawyer Darren Kane, had been created to consider overhauling everything FINA does, from communication, marketing, governance, anti-doping, gender equity, safeguarding, major events and sport development.

Speaking last month, Swimming Australia president Kieren Perkins said all the signs suggested positive changes were forthcoming within FINA but there was more work to be done.

“When you look at the governing bodies of most sports, it‘s a long, hard process, but change happens,” he said.

“I think all of us would agree that the recent executive changes are an indication that there is movement and there are people that are doing great work within FINA to try to change the tone and the management of the sport.”

Originally published as FINA reforms: World swimming’s top executives promise to reform after being shamed over spending in explosive report