FINA Chief Hints at Phelps Comeback; Stands by Technology Ban
FINA president Julio Maglione offered Michael Phelps a membership on FINA’s executive committee.
According to Maglione, Phelps declined because he is pursuing a comeback to compete in the Rio 2016 Olympics.
Phelps has softened his stance on a comeback, after staunchly denying one after the London Olympics. He attended the FINA World Championships in Barcelona and refused to comment either way.
"We offered Phelps the chance to be a member of the Bureau (executive committee), but he told us he does not have time because it seems that he wants to come back in Rio 2016," said Juan Maglione in an interview with German news agency DPA.
Phelps is the most decorated Olympian of all time with 22 medals.
In the same interview, Maglione defended FINA’s ban on high-technology swimsuits.
FINA banned the suits in 2009, after allowing them for one year.
"There was a terrible, almost dramatic, economic problem, given their price," said Maglione.
"Technological progress does not help if it is not available to all. There were suits that cost $1,000, $2,000, $3,000, which were used for just one event, and that's not fair."
Maglione noted he does not think there has been a step-back for the sport since the ban. He called the suits "technological doping," which caused an uneven playing field for many athletes.
"Now it is swimmers' efforts that counts. They all wear similar, textile suits with the same buoyancy and permeability."
So far, two world records have been broken in Barcelona. Katie Ledecky of the United States set the world mark in the women’s 1500m freestyle, and Ruta Meilutyte of Lithuania set the world record in the women’s 100m breaststroke.
Rogge in Barcelona
IOC president Jacques Rogge is attending the 15th FINA Swimming World Championships in Barcelona over the next few days.
It's part of the Belgian's busy farewell tour as he prepares to step down from the job in September.
Rogge will be the special guest of FINA president Julio Maglione. The IOC member from Uruguay was re-elected by acclamation at last week's FINA Congress in the Spanish city.
During his four-day stay, the IOC chief will also attend several events at the Palau Sant Jordi venue in Barcelona's Olympic Park
HighDiving Proves Popular, Water Polo Final
More than 10,000 spectators showed up to watch the mens' high dive final in Port Vell, Barcelona.
Orlando Duque of Colombia won gold for the men, while Cesilie Carlton of the United States won gold for the women.
"Being the champion of the first edition of this 15th FINA World Championships is fantastic. It's amazing," said Duque after winning gold.
The event has been said to have "exceeded expectations," and a decision will be made to keep the event for future tournaments.
Australia and Spain will compete in the women’s water polo final Friday, while Montenegro, Hungary, Italy and Croatia have progressed to the semi-finals of the men’s tournament.
At the time of writing, China tops the medal table with 11 gold and 20 total medals. The United States is in second with eight gold and 19 medals.
Written by Aaron Bauer
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