Julio Maglione re-elected as International Swimming Federation president

The swimming nations of the world have re-elected 81-year-old Uruguayan Julio Maglione to a third term as president of the International Swimming Federation.

President of the International Swimming Federation, Julio Maglione. Photo: AP

The swimming nations of the world have re-elected 81-year-old Uruguayan Julio Maglione to a third term as president of the International Swimming Federation, giving him a mandate that will end when he is 85 in 2021.

Despite a challenge from the president of the League of European Nations Paolo Barelli, and FINA’s inept handling of the Russian doping scandal last year, which at times overshadowed the Rio Olympic competition, the constituency voted 258-77 to continue Maglione’s reign.

It also installed a man linked to a US investigation into the FIFA corruption scandal, Kuwait’s Husain Al Musallam, as first vice-president. If Maglione’s health fails him in the next four years, Al Musallam, will become president.

The Kuwaiti is alleged by the US Justice Department to be a co-conspirator in its bribery investigation into former FIFA official Richard Lai.

He has been identified along with his boss at the Olympic Council of Asia, Sheik Ahmad Al Fahad Al Sabah, who stood down from his FIFA role while the investigation was ongoing. However Al Musallam, who denies the allegations, saw no need to stand aside from the FINA election, no matter what damage it does to the organisation’s reputation.

He had to deny further claims last week that he had requested a cut of sponsorship deals in his role as director-general of the Olympic Council of Asia.

Maglione was first elected eight years ago on a platform of limiting the president to two terms in office, but has now found it convenient to reverse his position by bumping that limit out to three terms so he can remain in his prestigious post.

He defended his position against hostile media questioning in the wake of the election today, saying he respected “ the decision of FINA and the decision of the assembly not to apply age limits’’.

“I have 90 per cent of the vote (actually 73 per cent) in a very clear secret ballot.’’

Swimming Australia officials refused to confirm how they voted.

FINA is under pressure to reform itself after reports of a breakaway movement led by coaches and athletes fed up with having no voice in the governance of their sport.

Maglione has now promised to put an athlete on his executive, but said that vote would not happen until the next world championships in two years.

He rejected persistent speculation that he intends to step down in the next two years in favour of Al Musallam to ensure his succession.

He described that scenario as “crazy’’.

“I was elected for four years and if my health continues like this I will respect my assembly (by serving out his term).’’

The continuation of the status quo at FINA is likely to embolden those stakeholders who believe the organisation cannot be reformed and must be replaced by a new governing body, to be known as the World Swimming Association.