International Swimming League (ISL) Founder Konstantin Grigorishin issued an open letter on Thursday, his first public statement since the conclusion of the league final, thanking everyone who helped make Season 2 happen. The letter was sent out on the ISL Facebook page.
“I have finally had a chance to catch my breath after the magnificent Final Match of ISL’s Season 2. And what a final that was!,” Grigorishin said. “With this letter I would like to express to you all my utmost sincere and heartfelt gratitude for making ISL Season 2 happen.”
The league finale wrapped up on Sunday, Nov.22, with the Cali Condors claiming the league title with a 97.5-point margin of victory over 2019 champion Energy Standard.
Grigorishin sent out specific messages to the production team and the athletes, coaches and team managers.
“To the Production Team: You surpassed everyone’s wildest expectations of quality and sophistication in visualization, commentating, technical support and data processing and analytics. There is no other swimming competition in the world that can match this today. You have set a new standard for excellence.
“To the Athletes, Coaches, Team Managers: You demonstrated your professionalism, team spirit and camaraderie and unsurpassed athletic greatness. And you did all of that at a time of extreme adversity, under immense pressure not to take risks and not to perform. This pressure came from all sides: from those who were genuinely worried about your wellbeing, but also from those who were simply jealous of your courage and your ambition. You persisted. You continued to train and prepare to reach your best. You trusted us and came to Budapest. And you rewarded yourselves and your fans with an extraordinary athletic performance. You have made us all immensely proud with your achievements.”
While Grigorishin’s letter did not acknowledge the financial stress the season has put the league under, which includes having several vendors claiming they haven’t been fully compensated for work done during the 2019 season, a league statement sent out on the eve of the final did. The ISL said their “head-down approach to deliver Season 2020 may have caused friction with some suppliers but we will honour all obligations”, and that they “will need to close all outstanding issues” before planning starts for next season.
In closing, Grigorishin said that the 2020 campaign proved that the league has staying power in the sports world.
“To all of you: You delivered. You have demonstrated to the entire sporting world that ISL is not a fluke, it is not a folly, and it is here to stay! Season 2 has set ISL on an upward trajectory. It is now up to all of us to build on this momentum.”
You can read the full statement below:
To the ISL Family,
I have finally had a chance to catch my breath after the magnificent Final Match of ISL’s Season 2….
Posted by International Swimming League on Thursday, November 26, 2020
Not totally relevant to this article, but it would make it more interesting and less predictable if there was a fixed number of outings an athlete could make throughout the season in each event. The jackpots were definitely good, but I think everyone knew who the first two teams would be right from the get go.
Still thought the season was great overall, – hopefully they get the financial side sorted and make it sustainable.
It might – but to me, there are a lot simpler things the league could try to bring more parity/unpredictability to the league first. Like balancing rosters.
If world cups of FINA are financially sustainable (although some meets are kinda boring). I don’t understand why professionnal leagues like this cannot succeed. They have done tremendous work on the production during this season two and a lot of people loved it. It is not a matter of format of competition and broadcasting, it was the communication, marketing , search of sponsors that were poor comparing to the previous season.
I knew Walter White wasn’t really dead
“To the Production Team: You surpassed everyone’s wildest expectations of quality and sophistication in visualization, commentating, technical support and data processing and analytics. There is no other swimming competition in the world that can match this today. You have set a new standard for excellence.”
I know this is a professional letter, but I must add that this broadcast lacked many features that now standard for the broadcast of top level FINA competitions and IOC events – such that it is very far from the current standard for this sport. While I am grateful for the contributions of everyone who helped make the league a reality, I believe a broadcast of superior quality is a step that will help the… Read more »
Swimswam, I’m not sure what the swimmers are allowed to say, but knowing you have contacts in the ISL, have, and if not, may you ask them if the delay in payments something that has league acknowledged or discussed to the swimmers and other relevant parties?
If an answer of substance can be received, I think that will help answer the question of whether this is as shady as it looks, or if it’s just the President of an struggling business trying to keep good PR and moral amidst a difficult situation. A have a hunch it’s one over the other, but enough doubt remains as to not treat such a conclusion as truth.
the financial issues are concerning, but it’s a GOOD thing for swimming that the ISL exists. It was especially good to have it this fall when no other major meets (much less international meets) were happening. The League is not even close to being self-supporting financially, so Grigorishin is the only reason this thing ever got off the ground and returned for season 2. And I hope he continues to pump money and passion into our sport (even if the checks might be slow!)
Have any of the swimmers been paid?
Nope
Where’s the money Lebowski?!?!?!
This aggression will not stand, man
this will not stand… this aggression against Kuwait
Wasn’t this guy supposed to be a millionaire?