FINA, US differ over temperature limit
Source: Agencies |
July 18, 2013, Thursday
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Print Edition
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THE governing body is preparing to set a fixed maximum water temperature that doesn't meet US standards that were introduced after the death of American swimmer Fran Crippen.
At meetings in Barcelona this week, FINA is about to set an upper limit of 31 degrees Celsius (87.8 Fahrenheit) for open water events.
USA Swimming set a domestic limit of 29.45 Celsius in the wake of Crippen's death during a sweltering 10-kilometer race in the United Arab Emirates in October, 2010.
"The safety of our athletes is extremely important to USA Swimming. When it comes to international open water competition, we would advise our athletes not to compete if the water temperature is above 29.45 degrees," USA Swimming said on Tuesday.
"If the athlete does decide to swim, USA Swimming will ask them to sign a waiver and release," the statement continued. "That being said, our on-site staff will carry out their normal roles as long as US athletes are competing regardless of conditions."
Previously, FINA had only a suggested limit of 30 degrees Celsius.
FINA's technical open water swimming committee recommended the new limit on Tuesday following a study by the University of Otago in New Zealand, in collaboration with the IOC and the International Triathlon Union.
"They told us 31 and that's what we decided on," FINA executive director Cornel Marculescu said. "It's not a matter of being happy or not happy. It was a scientific study and that's what we are following."
The limit is expected to be approved during a vote by a FINA congress that is open to two delegates from each of the 203 recognized national swimming federations.
FINA's minimum temperature of 16 Celsius remains in place.
The world championships open in Barcelona on Saturday with the men's and women's 5km open water events in the city's harbor, just like at the 2003 worlds in Barcelona.
"They have already tested the quality of the water and it is fantastic in the harbor," Marculescu said.
At meetings in Barcelona this week, FINA is about to set an upper limit of 31 degrees Celsius (87.8 Fahrenheit) for open water events.
USA Swimming set a domestic limit of 29.45 Celsius in the wake of Crippen's death during a sweltering 10-kilometer race in the United Arab Emirates in October, 2010.
"The safety of our athletes is extremely important to USA Swimming. When it comes to international open water competition, we would advise our athletes not to compete if the water temperature is above 29.45 degrees," USA Swimming said on Tuesday.
"If the athlete does decide to swim, USA Swimming will ask them to sign a waiver and release," the statement continued. "That being said, our on-site staff will carry out their normal roles as long as US athletes are competing regardless of conditions."
Previously, FINA had only a suggested limit of 30 degrees Celsius.
FINA's technical open water swimming committee recommended the new limit on Tuesday following a study by the University of Otago in New Zealand, in collaboration with the IOC and the International Triathlon Union.
"They told us 31 and that's what we decided on," FINA executive director Cornel Marculescu said. "It's not a matter of being happy or not happy. It was a scientific study and that's what we are following."
The limit is expected to be approved during a vote by a FINA congress that is open to two delegates from each of the 203 recognized national swimming federations.
FINA's minimum temperature of 16 Celsius remains in place.
The world championships open in Barcelona on Saturday with the men's and women's 5km open water events in the city's harbor, just like at the 2003 worlds in Barcelona.
"They have already tested the quality of the water and it is fantastic in the harbor," Marculescu said.
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