International swimming’s FINA approves adoption of new World Aquatics branding and new constitution

December 12, 2022

World swimming governing body FINA is to be renamed World Aquatics following the approval of a series of changes agreed at Extraordinary General Congress today.

Held at the Melbourne Exhibition and Convention Centre in advance of the 2022 World Swimming Championships (25 metres) which commence at the Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre tomorrow, the Congress approved the rebranding of the Federation Internationale de Natation (FINA) was overwhelmingly approved with 175 members voting in favour and four rejecting it.

Set to come into force in January next year, the new constitution includes increasing the number of Bureau members with female representation rising to 38%, and introducing of a new term and age limits for the President.

Advising that the approval of the new constitution and name change was the "most significant" moment during his leadership of the 114-year-old governing body, FINA President Husain Al-Musallam stated that the new “name that is easy to understand and keeps us in line with other International Federations and will represent our athletes.

“Everyone in our community is proud of what FINA achieved in developing our sports (but) as we look to the future, World Aquatics will see all aquatics athletes united for the first time under one brand. The identity of our organisation now focuses on our shared vision: a world united by water, for health, life and sport … that reflects the whole FINA family … that can be used by our artistic swimmers, divers, high divers, open water swimmers and water polo athletes.”

In relation to female representation, Al-Musallam added “our target must be 50-50 split but today this will take us much closer to that."

Constitutional changes will also see the number of committees reduced, while a Business and Investment Committee and Remuneration Committee is likely to be added.

Under the new constitution, the next President of World Aquatics will have serve two terms in office, with the first running for eight years followed by a second for four years.

An age limit of 75 years old for the head of the organisation has also been agreed.

Michael Bernasconi, Chair of the FINA Reform Committee, said the new term limits would create "stability" at the International Federation after receiving a letter criticising the proposal by the Nordic Swimming Federation.

Bernasconi noted "I think it is absolutely important that the President has a term of office in line with the Olympic charter.

"In my 28 years of working with International Federation, I have seen several not profiting by the campaign models that exist if the President needs to be re-elected every three or four years.”

Other constitutional changes include the ability for all 20 elected members of the FINA Athletes' Committee to vote at the organisation's Congresses and the establishment of the Aquatics Integrity Unit from January next year.

The creation of the Aquatics Integrity Unit was approved at FINA’s 2021 Extraordinary General Congress before 24 officials were elected in June.

Images: The new World Aquatics branding (top) and FINA President Husain Al-Musallam speaking in Melbourne today, advising that all aquatic sports would be "united" by the new name of the 114-year-old organisation (below). Credit: FINA Aquatics.

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