Olympic and world champion Katie Meili has signed a contract to compete in the Energy for Swim 2018 meet.
A rule interpretation by FINA has classified the event as an international competition that needs FINA approval, something the event doesn’t have and doesn’t have time to obtain. FINA rules say that athletes could face bans between one and two years for competing in an unauthorized competition.
Meet organizers say contracted athletes will still be paid 50% of their promised appearance money if the meet is cancelled.
A number of high-profile athletes have publicly signed on to compete at the meet even after FINA’s warning, though it’s still unclear if the meet will proceed (or if all contracted athletes will compete) if the meet remains outside of FINA authorization.
You can see the full list below:
SIGNED CONTRACTS
| ATHLETE | NATION | |
| 1 | Adam Peaty | GBR |
| 2 | Alessandro Miressi | ITA |
| 3 | Alexandr Krasnykh | RUS |
| 4 | Anastasia Fesikova | RUS |
| 5 | Andrew Minakov | RUS |
| 6 | Bethany Galat | USA |
| 7 | Cameron van der Burgh | RSA |
| 8 | Chad Le Clos | RSA |
| 9 | Chase Kalisz | USA |
| 10 | Danas Rapsys | LTU |
| 11 | David Verraszto | HUN |
| 12 | Duncan Scott | GBR |
| 13 | Emily Seebohm | AUS |
| 14 | Federica Pellegrini | ITA |
| 15 | Femke Heermskerk | NED |
| 16 | Gabriele Detti | ITA |
| 17 | Georgia Davies | GBR |
| 18 | Gregorio Paltrinieri | ITA |
| 19 | Gunnar Bentz | USA |
| 20 | Jacob Pebley | USA |
| 21 | Katie Meili | USA |
| 22 | Katinka Hosszu | HUN |
| 23 | Kendyl Stewart | USA |
| 24 | Kliment Kolesnikov | RUS |
| 25 | Kristian Gkolomeev | GRE |
| 26 | Laszlo Cseh | HUN |
| 27 | Lia Neal | USA |
| 28 | Lisa Bratton | USA |
| 29 | Luca Dotto | ITA |
| 30 | Margherita Panziera | ITA |
| 31 | Maria Ugolkova | RUS |
| 32 | Mark Szaranek | GBR |
| 33 | Max Litchfield | GBR |
| 34 | Mehdy Metella | FRA |
| 35 | Michael Andrew | USA |
| 36 | Michelle Coleman | SWE |
| 37 | Mikhail Romanchuk | UKR |
| 38 | Pieter Timmers | BEL |
| 39 | Ranomi Kromowidjojo | NED |
| 40 | Ryan Murphy | USA |
| 41 | Sarah Sjostrom | SWE |
| 42 | Sergey Fesikov | RUS |
| 43 | Sergii Shevtsov | UKR |
| 44 | Simona Quadarella | ITA |
| 45 | Siobhan O’Connor | GBR |
| 46 | Tom Shields | USA |
| 47 | Veronika Andrusenko | RUS |
SwimSwam is an Energy Standard Group partner.
Any Spanish swimmer has been invited? Mireia Belmonte? Jessica Vall?
And the numbers keep growing. FINA has its tail between its legs now doubling the prize money, they are running scared. Do they think it’s just about the money for one meet? Come on. As others have pointed out, an ill-advised FINA “ban” would definitely be challenged in court & as precedent shows they could lose. Welcome to the new – & welcome – reality of the 21st Century. It’s about time they were openly challenged like this. Power to the swimmers & a sustainable lifestyle rather than bureaucratic pilfering while the athletes are paid a pittance!
Too bad the midterm elections are gone. With such a rhetoric you will be indispensable at any rally.
Can anybody explain what strands behind FINA’s monopoly to conduct international meetings and why it is bad or good.
What does it mean to get approved by FINA? Do the organisers of the approved meet have to share the profit? And if it is so why is it harmful to the sport of swimming.
If this is the core of conflict then is this the source of money that will be paid to swimmers by Energy for Swim meet: instead of paying it to FINA pay it directly to the participants of the meet.
Can anyone explain Yozhik’s position at FINA?
That’s what I thought: nobody knows Energy Standard’s and FINA’s reasoning but everybody has a strong opinion.
Shades of Gina
Shades indeed. I wish I was that much educated and knowledgeable as GINA is.
Smart, sign the lawyer!