FINA Perch Above Lausanne

(ATR) Like a diver poised to jump, the new FINA headquarters stands over the Olympic Capital.

Timed for the 110th anniversary of the aquatics federation, the doors on its new digs opened July 19.

Located in the Bellevue neighborhood above Lausanne, the location is not far from the previous offices near Mon Repos. The two-building site, covering 4000 m2, is the first time FINA has owned its office space. And it’s only been since 1986 that the federation had offices in Lausanne.

There’s room for 35 staff and an underground car park has space for about a dozen vehicles.

This week the FINA Bureau held its first meeting in the new headquarters, which includes two conference rooms.

Executive Director Cornel Marculescu says about CHF 20 million has been invested in the project. He says CHF 6.3 million was spent for the property and its 1873 maison. Another CHF 12.5 million went into renovation and the building of a modern two-story office block.

FINA President Julio Maglione says the money for the project came from the various revenue streams for the federation, ranging from Olympic Games, rights fees and sponsorships.

About 200 guests turned out for the dedication of the new offices under a blazing sun in Lausanne. IOC President Thomas Bach and members of the Executive Board, broke away from their meeting in the center of Lausanne for the lunch and honorifics.

Others in the crowd included IOC member and ANOC President Sheikh Ahmad, ex-IOC execs Francois Carrard and Michael Payne, FINA communications counsel Jon Tibbs and staff.

FINA closed its anniversary events with a gala dinner at the Olympic Museum Thursday night.

The new address of the FINA HQ is Chemin de Bellevue 241/b, 1005 Lausanne.

Written and reported in Lausanne by Ed Hula

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