FINA Blasts Rio de Janeiro for Aquatics Preparations

(ATR) The International Aquatics Federation says that preparations from the city of Rio de Janeiro are "not ensuring the best possible Aquatic events," at the 2016 Olympics.

In a letter provided to Around the Rings, FINA wrote to Rio Mayor Eduardo Paes and Rio 2016 organizers to voice the federation’s frustration in the changes made to preparations for the Games.

The federation disagreed with construction changes made to the Maria Lenk aquatics center in the Olympic Park, saying that reducing capacity to between 12,500-13,000 spectators and an inability to consider plans to build a temporary cover for the facility showed a "lack of respect."

In addition, the letter brought forth concerns of over use in the venue after it was decided that water polo matches would occur in the same venue as diving and synchronized swimming. FINA fears that training schedules will be negatively impacted from the three disciplines sharing a venue.

Water Polo was originally supposed to hold preliminary matches in the Julio de Lamare aquatics center near the Maracana stadium, but construction delays sought Rio organizers and FINA to look for another venue.

"The recent decisions of Mr. Eduardo Paes are certainly not ensuring the best possible Aquatic events during the Games’ time, and are seriously damaging the image and value of FINA and its disciplines, which are a pillar of the Olympic Movement," FINA said in the letter to Paes.

Paes says that despite the concerns from FINA, but in the effort to curb the "spending of public resources," the city will not build a cover on the Maria Lenk center.

"It has always been known by the IOC and FINA that Maria Lenk is an outdoor venue," Paes said in a statement provided to ATR.

"City Hall understands FINA’s wishes, but it was decided to build a simpler cover for the Aquatic Stadium – since it is a temporary facility and it is already 90% completed. The city is always open for discussion with all sports federations and that he can be reached anytime by Julio Maglione, FINA President, with whom I have a friendly and respectful relationship."

When asked for comment, Rio organizers say they will maintain "regular contact" with FINA to solve the issues the federation has.

"We know the aquatic competitions will be a highlight and the athletes will have first class facilities and we are 100% sure there will be a passionate, enthusiastic crowd clearing them on," a spokesperson from Rio 2016 told ATR.

Along with issues about venue construction, FINA "strongly recommend" that viral testing take place in Copacabana Beach where the marathon swimming event will take place, and that testing could be carried out at the Environment State Institute of Rio laboratory.

A spokesperson for Rio 2016 said that the position of the organizing committee has not changed since Carlos Nuzman said they would look into potential virus testing on Sept. 1.

"We are working together with the IOC and WHO to define clearly what the way forward on this issue is," a spokesperson for Rio 2016 said to ATR.

"We want to emphasize once again the health of the athletes and the fairness of the competitions are top priorities for us all."

Written by Aaron Bauer in Rio de Janeiro

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